The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-07-17

vet ioIl IN lIt l-1r< tttt AZ t&t'*&'>-' -
promise TO pit myself on guard on the
doorstane."
Duncan's dissatisfaction with any ar
rangcment that excluded him from a
share in the conference was very evil
dent, but Thorndylxe judged wisely that
his client would be less embarrassed IL
| the inouisitive Scot were out OF the
way. and he commended the precau-
ton.
sits we'll enough 10 be careful, Mr..
Duncan; we're not hl<ely to spoil our
chances of success by being oyer-pru-
dent"
THAT'S guide seasonable Scotch
sense, a. We ken that, Johnnie, man =
said Duncan. forgetting for the moment
that he had been arguing on the other
side OF the question. "Ye maun just
open yer min freely to Master Thorn
dyke; he's an auld held, IL he does gang
ABBOTT on young shoulders"
Kilgrow nodded. and Thorndyke's
heart warmed toward the old man when
he was at leisure to renj the story of
privation and distress written so plain
iy on the thin face and in the restless
eyes. 1t was some sense of the need
for encouragement that prompted him
TO speak first in terms OF assurance.
duncan has told me all about your
case, Mr.. Kilgrow, and / want you to
believe me when say that you're In
no danger whatever of prosecution on
the old charge of brandy making. II
you were arrested to-day / could clear
| 20. oh I'M ho
run away in the beginning"
The old man resented the imputation
upon his courage. II reckon yo'-uns
d run, too, 18th thee r four OF 'em n
poppin' at We 18th Their rifles"
perhaps / should. after it got that
far along; but should have gone quiet
IL with the officers at first and fought 1t
out in court"
Kilgrow shook his head obviously.
"The law hain't fer pore man like me-"
That's just where you're mistaken;
the law is for everyone, and We couldn't
do anything in the present case without
it. But that's neither here nor there.
What want to impress on your mind
Ia this: You are in no danger whatever
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'ye reckon not?"
IL know it; and before 1 take hold OF
your case / 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"
IT reckon cayn't do no dif'rent, 18th
them fellers a-huntin me all the time"
Eyes, 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.
VIII you promise that?"
The old man held up n thin trembling
hand. "You-uns is a lawyer; you-uns
kin sw'ar me, eff so be We likes"
That's all right; i only want to be
certain that you understand that point.
Now, about the damages. How much
do you think you ought to haveP"
Kilgrow wrestled with the question
and then looked up inquiringly. II
done toll Jim Gates, oncet, that he
mought TEX that thar patch o. layn' an
welcome fer $4,000. / hain't a-keerin
so ve'y much now eff them fcllers'd on'y
quit pesterin' me, but eff so be ye
mought git that much out'n hit"
THAT'S about what expected" inter.
rupted Thorndyle, "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 a quit-claim for the mere asking!
Set your figure at what you think yoc
ought to have when tell you that
they're selling your land at five hun
bred dollars for n strip n 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 &c
leave the amount to me?"
81 reckon cayn't do no better"
"Then Wen consider that settled
Now, one more question. Have yor
! ever signed any papers for Gates or any
one else?"
. 81 reckon not"
ThorndylSc was unfamiliar with the
mountain idiom. and he pressed ths
question again. 81 want you 10 think
: and be sure"
Once more the tremulous hand went
up. II low you-uns kin sw'ar me-"
Philip smiled and said: THAT isn''
necessary. suppose you'd be sure u
remember IL II you had?"
IL reckon so, longs 1 cayn't write
none"
: That's all, then; and for the pres
. ent, merely want you TO keep out o.
their way. Have nothing to say &c
, strangers and don't pay any attention
Z to any messages from me or from any
one else unless Duncan or elsie brings
, them 10 you. Does anybody besides
, the Duncans know about your place vi