The Ravalli Republican., 1898-11-16
TRUTHFUL ZEKE.


We were rapidly getting acquaint-
ed. Jerry, who if surnamed has
never wasted time telling the news,
settled himself on his pine needle
couch, tipped his hat & ljttlo farther
forward so that tho sun but gilded
the tip of his nose, and delivered his
Introductory remarks. When the
light had filtered its way into the
understanding, we knew that he
was Of moro than ordinary impcr-
tance and his roughing it but tho
result Of whim Still, nothing but
his truthful countenance kept us
from sailing the tale about the au-
thorlties 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 it was in poor taste to use
titles either before or after a name,
even if you did havo right to lean
EN- up against both ends, and that
was why he was known simply as
Billy Edserton. incidentally, he in
formed us that 100, 600 rubles was
not such a very large reward for tbs
Russian government to offer FOR a
political offender, but he preferred
to take no chances, and therefore
ca,no up to Lone Star after ho had
met and circumvented in San Fran
cisco the fourth detective Of the inl-
perial bureau.
Then johnson Of Colusa straight
enea himself up, as If he had just
awakened from a sweet dream of
peace 'Ive an uncle,' said he,
VIII IS worth $500, 900, and I'm his
only heir I'd think a great deal
more OF him, though, if it wasn't
for my aunt, who dent 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 ST.
600, 900, and I'm her only heir also"
After that there was more silence,
and albeit we spraWled lazily in
front Of the cookhouso, felt that
my autobiography was becoming
overdue. As my worldly effects
would scarcely comfortably clothe
a scarecrow and nothing, short Of
morocco binding would make my
personal history attractive, looked
up at the stranger, who through it
all had sat quietly on his detected
mule, hoping for diversion.
Howdy, gentlemen?" he said,
turning large and solemn eyes upon
US and disclosing countcnance of
philosophical gravity. Each of us
acknowledged tho salutation by
lightly shifting his position, and
Jerry, whose tongue is that of a
multitude, answered "Howdy?"
The newcomer removed his SOM
brero, and his hair fell about his
head Ike Il shock Of overripe wheat:
Then lie gently laid Ills fiddle case
across the pommel OF his saddle and
asked, is this a purity good place
to stops"
We stop here answered Jerry
laconically.
Live tol'bly high3''
six thousand feet"
The late addition strai ghtened up,
shook his threadba1e coat and lifted
one cowhide boot, dust whitened in
the crinkles, from the stirrup, and
reaching down, softly tapped the
earth with it to make sure he was
on solid ground. Then he cautious
ly dismounted.
Jerry, who is inclined to be crit.
ical, regarded the mule with disfa
vor. HIS owner, noting the glance
remarked: Jeremiah amt the fin
est looking mule in the world, bu
l couldn't steal 4 better ! had .;
sight finer one in Tunis," he added
deprecatinGly.
In Tunis!' echoed johnson
"Where've you been?'
In Nashuay, n Tunis, n Capt
Cod, II Lisbon some time back
That was before I went to- Robe
went thar from Paris, which is {
fai, sort of place. hated to leave. ;
johnson drew his breath and de-
nalded, why did you?''
Mutual objections tween mn y