Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-11-19
CHAPTER XII.

SDA&G& EN&EN ~AANAA ~ AAAAo -N-f.#FN Eli
Nj. Timmons was taking the air on his
WI threshold late in the afternoon Of
that last Thursday In June. 1t was now
some hours since the dwarf hnd called.
Although It had not yet struck six
o'clock, he wa thinking Of closing his
establishment. Al be was about to re-
tire for the long shutters that by night de-
tended and yelled his treasure from pred
story hands or prying eyes, his enormous
lett ear became aware that feet were APP
p~foaching. He turned his pale blue eyes
u the direction Of the sound and saw
coming along close to the wall the figure
81 I low-siSed stout woman. She carried
= 6sh basket In her hand. Out Of this
basket projected the tails Of half q dozen
fod herrings.
stGood 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 oney'
mo" answered Timmoni. mot 4
soul."
Il thought I'd never get here. It's NOR
hi hot. I've brought you some fish for
your tea"
"Herrings." he said. bending to exam
Inc the protruding tails. "Fresh her
rings, Or redY'' he asked in . hushed, sig
Niiicant voice.
"Red," she whispered hoarsely, "and -
4ne a. ever you saw. Are you going to
have company at tea, Mr.. Timmonsy'
asked the woman in q tone and manner
o. newly awakened interest.
.Ao: ! am not expecting any one. !
am going to have tea all by myself. !
am very busy just now. l have had q
visitor to-day-a few hours ago"
Well" whispered the woman. eager
y.
And he'll do It'll"
.sEIe will. He's been to Milwaukee and
has arranged all. They'E. take every bit
they can get and pay . good ~price-twice
~ much as could be got otherwiSe-from
any one else"
"Fine ! FineI You know, Mr.. Tim
mons, how hard it IL to find q bit now. and
TO get 20 little for it Al We have been
handling ID very bad-ncart-breaking. 1t
takes all the spirit out Of Tom"
"How II Tomy II he on the drink
mo, he isn't"
'sThat'S 4 bad sign"
The woman rose and he handed her
aome money. Then followed a long.
lgood-humored dialogue In which she beg.
sged 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 Z bundle and threw
them behind him on the gritty earthen
door. He opened the bag that lay be-
neAth them and. peered into It. Holding
1t u his left hand upon his appraised thigh
he thrust his right hand into It and rum
bled< about, bending his head down to
lock the better. He was on the point Of
drawing something ont when he suddenly
oaused and listened motionless.
ssIt's Gtamer himself," cried Timmons,
a 4 mumed voice. Then he added:
*syVhat does he want? More money! Any
Away, / suppose ! must let him In"
He turned round, caught up the scat
tered red behring's, thrust them into the
bsg, fixed It with the skewer, and then
threw Il carelessly ON the hob OF the old
CRATE.
When the newcomer was inside the
door and the bolt drawn once more, Tim
mons said, In = SLOW, angry tone. well,
Stamer, what do you want? ID Z bar
rain q bargain3 You were not to come
here IN daylight and only In the dark
when something Of great consequence
brought ron. / gave your wife all ! will
rive lust now, X VI are to 80 on work
Ing on the cooperative principle. What
do ron want3'1
The low-sixed, round-shouldered man,
dressed In fustian and wearing two gold
rings on the little finger Of his lett hand,
Aaid In . whisper:
'You're going to see this cove to-nishty'
~sYes,"
AT what o'clock"
ssMidnight."
"Ahi It win be dark then"
What news you tell W. It generally
- dark ct midnight"
aAre ron going to take much Of the
stun with you-much Of the red stu6-of
the red herringsr
Timmons drew hack I pace with 4 start
and looked 1t Stamer suspiciously.
ssHAye you come to save nh the trouble,
ah1 Would yon like to take It yourselfi
III? Did ron come here to rob mey
xnean 10 share fair. Do you want ia
throw up the great co-operative principle
md bar alr'
0t800E1 S3SU WluASO QukCkAy, anu ne
answered 10 q tone Of sorrow and re.
proach:
You know I'm square. Tell me how
mauch stun ron are going = take with you
$O-nlghtrs
sAbout 10 pounds"
sslsm sorry. Sovnor. tor bothering you,
's1sA ~ ~ nfs Tor pm. Look here,
eurssnof,. suppose b h not IN honest man,
~ me-. He Int IN our cooperative
plan, yen know. Suppose be isn't partic.
siar about how ~ gets mold Of ! bit o.
s1ku6T
III trieA % rob ne
Il 1f6afDe . NA4t e dmind!* He pui
h&G1t * his waistband.
-. sapposs