Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-11-23

lis house all this time, looking On' cdhlo
out now.
Then his wife, an old woman, much
older than the landlord Gt was said he
narricd her for her property, stood in
the doorway, looking at Dan Bash.
81 told you you'd find it rough travel
ing on the mountains" said the landlord
with cough.
"Yes-and moro than mo finds it
rough" replied Dan, dryIy.
"The boys think you are too-tOo--
81 know what you would say, inter
roscd Dan, "Too fine. Well, | wear a
clean shirt. keep my face cleanuahu
/ mind my own business, Mr.. Pots.
eyes, yes-you do, indeed: SarC
time, the boys round the erik THINK
you're kind O. upset
"Well, / think an American citizen IS
entitled to his opinion. have mine.
Tm not agreen' with the boys, Mr.
Bash. Oh, no! Not at ALL"
"Mr. Potts." Bash spoke Sharply
His voice expressed contempt Mrs;
Potts, listening in the doorway, thought
he was lawful high strung" "Mr Potts'
l don't care the price of pine cone lor
the opinion of such of the boys as you
mean. RESPECTABLE people | respect
don't waste time on any others We
better things, more important things 70
occupy my mind, and you are at liberty
to say this to the boys when you see
them again.
"I-I-Td ought to tod you, Mr. BaSh,
bat them two directors you say you want
to see-why, heard this mornlng az
how they'd changed their mind 'Oou'
comm over to the Corners.
"What's that, Mr.. Potts?"
"Wbv. they're goin' to Squire MechS
to a plowin match-somc new-langled
Nov. I reckon. So, you'll not meet 'em
here to day"
oThank you," said Dan Bash, as lie
arted to his feet. all try to sec them
before night" I'll
AS he walked down the road rapidly,
the landlord shook his head slowly.
"Therc'.l be trouble grow out TINS
days work, Susan. Mind my "0rus.
There'll be trouble grow out OF 1t. mat
Young mans powerful set in his way
powerful headstrong."
Meantime Dan Bash walked rapidly
along the road. He was resolved to
make up for lost time. 1t was all i'm.
nortant to see the directors. lie had
much at stake. His pride was invo we'd
now. He could not, wou not turn
back; come what might he would remain
in the district until he was compelled TO
leave it.
A little more than m lc from the
Corners the road dipped suddenly in a
ravine-a cleft between the mountain
tons There was a very large spring IN
the rayine, and man and beast wei
coined the sparkling clear water that
challenged them there. Dan Bash had
slalxed his thirst often on the roadside
there, and even now he promised hlmscl
good drink when he reached the
spring. =,
Just beside the spring, concealed by
the thick bushes near it, sat the Monk
brothers and crOny who was Vndcr
their control.
Rob Souatty was not a bad man, He
was unfortunately, easily influenced,
and when he had glass of liquor under
his vest was as irresponsible as a
! Iunatic.
he Monk brothers were talking in low
tones to Bob as they were resting In the
shade.
"Souatty," said Ned Monk, "whatever
hanpons, YOU must be as silent as the
grave"
"Or maybe you'll go to an early grave, "
said Bill Monk, meaningly.
Exactly" echoed Ned.
ooh, I'll be num-" said Squatty. "
never told on you yet, did II"
"NO, you never did, Squatty," SAID
Bill.
"BiIl." said Ned, looking ath brother,
"do you know, / believe Squatty would
rather have his tongue cut out or his
ewes burned out than give you and me
away?"
Sonattv shivered and tried to laugh
"Oh. here, now, you fellows know I'm
with you. What's the use tallin'?"
"None whatever, said Ned Monk
He arose, stopped out on the road,
crossed it, looked over to the Corners
and came back.
"Souatty-mind! NUNS the word
We may waat you to help dig grave
round here soon"
Souatty shivered again.
He knew they were there for murder
Who could it be but Bash? Well-h(
would help-hc must help, SQuatty said
to himself, but his cowardy soul seemed
TO shrink into even smaller dimensions
as he shiyered the third time
@Souatty" said Ned Monk, as he
brought his hand heavily down on hi
listeners knee, "we're goin' to settle Dan
Bash. He's comm down the road
He'll be here dreckly. If you don't hell
we'll Kill you! There ain'tn chance
TO 90 back on this deal, Squatty."
Poor Bob Squatty's teeth chatteret
nov. but he was in for it. He woul'
have his throat cut if he didn't obey
so he concluded he would render all TIT
assistance in his power, so as to make
clean, sure job of it.