The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-05-07

from the United States authorities, but
you are in danger from these fellows
WHO have taken your land, and they
will leave no stone unturned to make
Alabama too hot to hold you"
"D'y" reckon not?"
81 li.ow it; and before take hold of
your ease want to know if you are
willing to trust me fully in everything
doing exactly what tell you, whether
you understand the reason for it or
not
81 reckon cayn't do no dif'rent, 18th
them felIers a-huntin me all the time"
"Yes, you could; they'll give you
plenty of chances to upset the whole
thing before I'm through with them.
and | want to be sure that you'll do
nothing without first consulting me.
Will you promise that?"
The old man held up thin trembling
hand. "You-uns is a lawyer; TQu-un'
kin sw'ar me, eff so be ye likes"
That's ell right; only want to be
certain that you understand that point.
Now, about the damages. How much
do you think you ought to have?"
Kilgrow wrcstled with the question
and then looked up inquiringly. II
Gane toll Jim Gates, oncet. that he
rpsnght TEX that thar patch c. layn' an
welcome fer $4,000. hain't a-keerin
so ve'y much now eff them fellers'd on'y
quit pesterin' me, but eff so lie ye
mought git that much out'n hit"
That's about what expected" inter
rupted Thorndyke. "and it's precisely
what wanted to guard against. Why.
man, you could walk down to ALA
coochee this minute and get twice that
for Il quit-claim for the mere asking!
Set your figure at what you think yol
ought to have when | tell you that
they're selling your land at five hun
Gred dollars for strip foot wide and
hundred feet long"
The problem was too abstruse for the
old mountaineer, and he shook his head
helplessly.
Very well, then; are you willing to
leave the amount to me?"
81 reckon cayn't do no better"
"Then we'll consider that settled
Now, one more question. Have yoll
ever signed any papers for Gates or any
one else?"
81 reckon not"
Thorndyke was unfamiliar with the
mountain idiom, and he pressed the
question again. 81 want you to think
and be sure
Once more the tremulous hand went
up. 81 low you-uns kin sw'ar me-"
Philip smiled and said: "That isn't
necessary. | suppose you'd be sure to
remember it il you had?"
81 reckon so. longs I cayn't write
none"
That's all, then; and for the pres
ent, merely want you to keep out Of
their way. Have nothing to say to
strangers and don't pay any attention
to any messages from me or from any
one else unless Duncan or Elsie brings
them to you. Does anybody besides
the Duncans know about your place up
here in the Pocket?"
81 reckon they's mighty few"
$50 much the better. Go back there
and stay quietly until you hear from
me. 1t may take me a month, or even
longer, to find out what | want to know
in Allacoochee."
Kilgrow understood that he was dis,
missed, but he hesitated. laboring with
a statement that he did not know how
to make. Thorndyke tried to help him
"Was there anything else?" he asked,
Seem like thar ort to be; bout you
uns' pay-I hain't got nothin on the
face O. the yeth-"
"Never mind about that: if we win
there'll be money enough for both of
u.s."
Kilgrow went dumb again. trying to
find words to measure his gratitude
Before they came there was a gathering
of hoofs in the road, and then crunch
ing footsteps on the graveled walk
leading up to the house. There was n
dormer window in Thorndyke's room.
and its gable projected above the front
door of the farmhouse. The sash was
up and the sounds from below came
sharply to the two men in the upper
room.
1--WE got warrant for John Kill
grow"-Philip recognized the voice rs
that of the man who had asked the way
of Mrs. Duncan-'and I'll have to
trouble We, Mr.. Duncan"
At the mention of his name the ol;l
mountaineer started and would have
thrown himself out of the other win
dow if Thorndyke had not promptly
seized him. Don't be afraid-they
can't touch you. Sit down and listen"
'An' who's this John Keelgrow that
ye're speerin' after in my house?
There's naebody wi that name bides
here"
81 know all bout that, and know,
too, that this same John Kilgrow's in
this here house now. l don't want to
make no trouble for ye, but l reckon
ye know what all it means when the
law says for ye to come down."
SHOW yer warrant"
That's for Kilgrow."
'Wha kens that? Yell no gang in
this door till ye show me the bit pa
per-"
"Mr. Duncan, I'm dep'ty United
States ma'shal; | reckon ye'd better
stand to one side and lemme do my
duty"
Deputy or 10 deputy, ye'll no win
Until this house forby the askin' or a