The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-12-31
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as,,f7H Story efwestePQ Life
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CHAPTER x.-CoSTrNUED.
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well, Mr.. Scraggs," Harry replied
after a short silence, II don't admit
anything you have charged, but say you
are correct, and it must be acknowl-
edged that you are not above rcproach.
Your virtuous indignation don't COM
mencc quite soon enough. It begins
where the profits leave off. In other
words you are willing to condone my
crimes, as you choose to call them, and
even assist me in executing them, as
long as there is money in it to you. But
the moment they cease to bring q finan-
cial return to your pocket you get ter
ribly down on them. You are willing
to help rob and plumber the settlers
because it pays you, but there is no
profit in trapping the girl, so your vir-
tuous soul revolts at the idea. That is
the size of your honor, Scraggs."
II admit that appearances do seem
against me, Pearson, for after being
tool in your hands SO long" said
Scraggs with emphasis, 1T would be a
miracle If | had an honorable impulse
left in my bosom. But miracle as it is,
have spark of honor yet unobscured.
/ would say what have, and oppose
your designs on Green's daughter, even
If l lost money by it. In a case like
this money cuts no figure with me-"
"You are very pious all at once,
Scraggs," said Pearson with a light
laugh, land wonder you didn't turn
preacher in your young days. You
would have made an eloquent sermon
izer. But We'll drop this subject, If you
please, for the present, and when /
form designs against Green's girl, such
as you mention, and find am in need
of your assistance in carrying them out,
I'll put up the stuff and make you
solid"
You'll do no such thing" Scraggs
exclaimed with wrath as he arose and
paced the floor. mo money will induce
me to aid in betraying that girl or any
other girl into your power. But I'll tell
You what will do" Scraggs said, stop
ping before Pearson and looking him
square in the eyes, "I'll warn John Green
against you, and I'll warn the girl
against YOU"
"You will?" exclaimed the young man
springing up with flashing eyes and
clinched fists. "You will, eh?"
"Yes, l WILL" replied Scraggs, calmly
maintaining his position.
For a minute the two men stood
silently cycling eash other, Scraggs cool,
collected and immovable, and Pearson
at first angry and flushed, but slowly
calming down. At last the latter broke
into light laugh, and with toss of
the head spoke:
Don't be a fool, Scraggs." he said,
because that don't pay. have no de-
signs on the girl, and besides If l did
have your putting in wouldn't do any
good. Do you suppose the Greens, or
any of the other settlers, would take
your word in preference to mine? OF
course they wouldn't. It's you that is
known as heartless villain. while I, in
the shade back of you, am known as a
kind, feeling gentleman. These people
don't know that l move you and con-
troll your actions, and more it is hardly
likely that they will know it, since
there is no one to tell them but you,
and they'd never take your word for
anything, not If you were to swear to
it. So you see have got the advantage
of you, Scraggs, and if you want to do
any warning just go ahead. But you
are making great fuss about nothing,
anyhow. Wait until make an attempt
against the girl, won't you?"
"If you have no designs on the girl,
Pearson" asked Scraggs, will you
please say what your purpose ISL"
"Why. what should it be, except to
make all the money we can out of
Green, just as we intend to make it out
of every other settler"
"Then how is it you do not findit nee
essary to dcport yourself toward other