Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-10-21

named has never wasted time telling
the news. settled himself on his pine
nefee couch, tipped his hat little fur
fher forward so that the sun but gilded
the hip of his nose. and delivered his in
tr0ductory remarks. When the light
had filtered its way into the under
standing, we knew that he was of more
than ordinary Importance and his
rouehing it but the result of a whim:
still. nothing but his truthful counte-
nance kept us from sailing the tale
about the authorities tying down the
Atlantic coast to keep it from tipping
up when he came west of the Rockies.
Billy Edgerton yawned slightly and
drew up his knees. He said he believed
II was in poor taste to use titles either
before or after a name, even if you did
have right TO lean 'em up against both
ends, and that was why he was known
simply as Billy Edgerton. Incidental
Nv. he informed us that a hundred thou
sand rubles wasn't such a very large re-
ward for the Russian government to
offer for a political offender; but he
preferred to take no chances, and there-
fore came up to Lone Star after he had
met and circumvented in San Francisco
The fourth detective of the imperial
bureau.
Then Johnson, of Colusa. straight
ened himself up, as if he had just awak-
cned from a sweet dream of peace. I've
an uncle," said he. who is worth $780,
600. and I'm his only heir. I'd think a
oo1 - Inn
wasn't for my aunt, who don't like
him" Here he paused and blew a few
rings from his old cob pipe, but the
Question didn't come. you see," he
added. my aunt is worth $1,OOO,000 and
I'm hen only heir ALSO"
After that there was more silence, and
albeit we sprawled lazily in front of the
sookbouse. felt that my autobiog-
Apply was becoming overdue. AS my
worldly effects would scarcely com
'ortably clothe a scarecrow, and moth
ng short of morocco binding would
make my personal history attractive, !
ool<ed up at the stranger who through
all had sat quietly on his detected
nule, hoping for diversion.
"Howdy, gentlemen" he said, turn
ng large and solemn eyes upon us and
disclosing a countenance of philosoph-
al eraviey. Each of us acllnowl-
dyed the salutation by slightly shift
az bis position, and Jerry, whose
oncue is that of multitude, answered
Howdy."
The newcomer removed his sombrero,
nd his hair fell about his head like a
hook of overripe wheat. Then he gen
u laid his fiddle case across the pom
Iel OF his saddle and asked: rs this
purity good place to stop?'.
I'VE stop here?" answered Jerry
tconically.
.Iiye tol-bly high?"
"Six thousand feet"
The late addition Strengthened up,
nook his threadbare coat and lifted
be cowhde boot, dust-whitened in the
rinkles. from the stirrup, and reaching
own. softly tapped the earth with IL
make sure he was on solid ground
hen be cautiously dismounted.
jerry, who is inclined to be critical,
,garded the mule with disfavor. His
wner. noting the glance, remarked:
jeremiah amt the finest-lookin' mule
the world, but | couldn't steal a bet
r. had a sight finer one in Tunis,
added. deprecatingly.
.TnTunis!" echoed Johnson. "Where
ave You been?"
SIN Nashuay, n Tunis. n Cape Cod,
Lisbon some time back. That was
efore went TO Kobe--went thar from
arts. which is fair sort of place. !
ated 10 leave"
johnson drew his breath and de-
landefl "Why did your"
"Mutual objections between me N
he goF Two days war all they
We nj e to take my last farewell" he
I'D. Sowly rosining his bow.
what did you come up here for?"
80 bit out of civilization" responded
le Stranger. I'm disguised. People
so thar's trouble everywhere, N the
ally man you're sure is anywhar near
Iuare with the law is the Teller jest
it'n jail."
There didn't seem to be any use of
king further questions of the new
,mer, but | think the opinion was
eneral that to him truth was stranger
ian Gction. He laid his fiddle on the
e and looked attentively at his mule.
IF "a wasn't for bein' so Uneasy about
ereuiah. who needs a drink. l might |
az little tune on the fiddle" he said.
dgerton took the hint and bucket |
ent Down to the creek.
A trife of glow in the western sky
as ali that was left of the day when
Tome. Sweet Home" rounded up the
srfornance. looked at Edgerton, |
ho wps lying with his hands clasped |
hind his head, and thought I saw a
ar in.h bis eye; seeing but dimly myself
WASN'T certain. But, then and there.
,ne Star adopted Ezekiel and Jere-
lab.
We hold him of a deserted corral /