The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-12-05
CHAPTER XII.

some hours since the dwarf had called.
Although it had not yet struck six
o'clock, he was thinking of closing his
establishment. AS he was about to re-
tire for the long shutters that by night de-
tended and yelled his treasure from pred
atory hands or prying eyes, his enormous
left ear became aware that feet We're Up
preaching. He turned his pale blue eyes
in the direction of the sound and saw
coming along close to the wall the figure
Of a low-sized stout m She carried
n fish basket in her hand. Out of this
basket projected the tails of half 4 dozen
red behring's.
Good afternoon" said Timmons.
"Afternoon," said the woman entering
the store without pausing. Then nodding
her head back in the direction whence she
had come she asked: ANY one:'
NO. answered Timmons. Not Il
soul"
II thought I'd never get here. It's NOR
tai hot. I've brought you some fish for
your tea"
"Herrings," he said. bending to exam
inc the protruding tails. "Fresh her
| rings, or red?' he asked in a hushed, sig
.~niticant voice.
Red" she whispered hoarscly, "and as
fine as ever you saw. Are you going to
have company at tea, Mr.. Timmons"'
asked the woman in a tone and manner
Of newly awakened interest.
"No; | am not expecting any one. l
am going to nave tea all by myself. !
am very busy just now. l have had a
visitor to-day-a few hours ago
WELL" whispered the woman, eager,
ly.
"And he'll do it,"
HE will. He's been to Milwaukee and
has arranged all. They'll take every Bit
they can get and pay a good price-tWicc
as much as could be got otherwise-from
any II else"
"Fine ! Fine! You know, Mr.. Tim
mons, how hard it is to find a bit now, and
to get so little for it as We have been
handling is very bad-neart-breaking. 1t
takes all the spirit out Of Tom
"How is Tom? Is he on the drink"
"No, he isn't"
"That's a bad sign
The woman rose and he handed he,
some money. Then followed Il long,
good-humored dialogue in which she beg.
ged for more, and he firmly, but playfully,
refused her. Then she went away, and
Mr.. John Timmons was left once more
alone.
He took up the basket, drew out the
wooden skewer by which it was closed
caught the behring's in Il bundle and threw
them behind him on the gritty earthel
floor. He opened the bag that lay be-
meath them and peered into it. Holding
it in his left hand upon his appraised thigh
he thrust his right hand into it and fun.
bled about, bending his head down tC
look the better. He was on the point OF
drawing something out when he suddenly
paused and listened motionless.
Its Stamer HIMSELF" cried Timmons
in a muffled voice. Then he added
"What does he want? More money? Any
way, l p l must let him in
He turned round, caught up the scat
tered red behring's, thrust them into the
bag, fixed it with the skewer, and thcl
threw it carelessly on the hob of the OLE
CRATE.
When the newcomer was inside thu
door and the bolt drawn once more, Tim
mons said. in a slow, angry tone, well
Stamer, what do you want! Is a bar
gain a bargain? You were not to com
here in daylight, and only in the darl
when something of great consequence
brought you. l gave you wife all l viii
give just now, if we are to go on work
ing on the cooperative principle. VIVA
do you want!'
The low-sized, round-shouldered man
dressed in fustian and wearing two golc
rings on the little finger OF his left hand
said in a whisper:
You're going to see this cove tonight"
Eyes"
"At what o'clock"
"Midnight."
"Ah! 1t will be dark them"
"What news You tell us. 1t generally
is dark at midnight"
"Are you going to take much of tn,
stuff with you-much of the red stuff-o1
the red h~errinGs:
Timmons drew back a pace with a star
and looked at Stamer suspiciously.
Have you come to save me the trouble
eh? Would you like to take it yourself,
Eth? Did you come here to rob me?
mean to share fair. Do you want tC
throw up the great cooperative principle
and bag all:'
Stamer's eyes winked quickly, and he
answered in a tone Of sorrow and re
prOach:
"You know I'm square. Tell me how
much stuff you are going to take with yor
tonight?
About W. pounds
I'm sorry. gov'nor. for bothering yon
I'd give my life for you. Look here
g%uv'nor, suppose he is not an honest man
like me. He isn't in our cooperative
plan, you know. Suppose he isn't partic
ular about how he gets mold Of a bit OF
stuff
"And tried to rob me:'
That's not what I'd mind!!' He pu,
his hand to the back Of his waistband
You know what l carry here. Suppose
he carries one, too?'
"You mean that he may murder me
first and rob me after!'
Stamer nodded.
"Well. I'm very much obliged to you
! Stamer, indeed ! am: but I'm not a bii