The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1888-11-23
SINKS, THE OUTCAST.


The reinforced emigration" Of Sinks
from Prairie City occurred because the
citizens had grown tired Of having
him around. Sinks was failure at
every thing but sinking. His walk,
his raiment, his appearance and mini
mum OF history, all conspircd TO his
degradation. and had not only robbed
him Of respect and credit. but even OF
an abiding-place. He had skunk into
Prairie City. no person knew exactly
when: but when he skunk out Of II.
every person in the settlement who
had arrived at the years OF understand
ing was appraised Of his going. Several
OF the more cnterprising citizens-thc
selfappointed emigration committee
followed him.
In such cases. the undesirable man
is usually given twenty-forr hours In
which to settle up his affairs and place
the county line between himself and
the unapprcciative community. In the
case OF sinks. there were no affairs to
settle.
The line was ten miles away. and a.
the committee had but little faith in
Sinks rs a pedestrian. a little process
sion OF mounted men had left Prairie
City with Sinks. round-shouldered
and discouraged looking, riding ahead
When the line was reached. the dis
lance to Boomopolis was about a
mile less than that 10 Prairie City. and
The committee reasoned that Sinks
would keep on. and thus save clear
miles journeying.
s.wal. yere we air" said Long jess
Masters. as they reached the lone
jacx-oal< just beyond the county bound
ary. II reckon you know the penalty,
Slinks?''
Reckon do"
Perhaps previous experience had
made him familiar with the unplcas
ant penalty bestowed upon '.runout'
man found within the county confines
after the expiration Of his time q
grace. When he had dismounted
Sinks strobe slouchingly away.
..Wal. goodbye, Sinks" calies
Long jess.
s'Good-byc. boysr the outcast re
turned. without turning his face 70
wards them.
He looked like a blot on the face 0
the fair prairie picture bright with |
profusion Of wild flowers springin,
from the soft, unduIating carpet o
green His hat dropped dejcctedly
his boots were run over and his gar
ments seemed undecided whether u
fall on or stay on. There was les
color in his face than usual. and tn
rudy scar on his check was NOR
marked by the contrast.
For little while the committe
watched him dragging his feet rs
they were almost too heavy for him
Then. just - they turned 70 ride away
they saw him stoop As II plucking on
OF the bright prairie flowers. On!.
the blossoms heard him mutter:
s.I.ooks like the flowers that grcv
BY the door Of the kitchen at $1,000"
He slouchcd away faster than be
fore. There was more color In hi
face now, and the scar on his chez
showed less plainly.
FLOWERS. and a runout man
pshawr' he muttered, with more en-
orgy than he had displayed for weeks
The committee watched him littl
longer. but they were galloping Y
wards Prairie City when he ha'
turned and gaxcd after them with
look that was almost wistful.
None or the horscmcn spoke for sc'
cral minutes. Then Cal Senter. -
scif-clectcl wit OF the settlement. r
marked. with PREDATORY wal
..Good radiance 70 bad rubbish, as
told EN- when the blind dog va
stold."
The committee scarcely grinncd, an
Long Jczs Masters did not appear