Mower County transcript., 1902-10-01

"You know me-Jebbs-do you?
All, thought you would" and the
stranger broke out into a cackling
laugh again. "Here's yer pistol"
said he, handing over the weapon.
"Gave ye a jolly good scare, that's
what done.''
"Nonsense-come up stairs and say
what you have to say" and Job, an
cry at the way he had been treated,
led the way up the stairs, while the
other, evidently conscious that it
would not do to anger his host fur
ther, followed him slowly.
''Now, how did you come to find
me?" asked Hendricks, as he set the
candle down on the table and eyed
his guest with anything but an amia-
BILE look.
"Well, see you several times of
late in the street, and somehow you
slipped away fore I could catch up
with you. Tonight I had better
luck.''
"Hum!" Then, going to box in
one corner of the room, which he evi-
d
bottle from it and plate Of bread
and meat, and set them down on the
table before his guest. Job did not
attempt to speak again, as he
watched the man fall ON the food
like wild animal, and it was only
when the last crumb had been de-
voured and the bottle emptied that
he ventured to say:
''Why did you come in like a
thief?"
II wasn't sure you was in, and I
wanted to surprise you," with grin.
"When l see you come down in the
dark with that pistol in hand I was
feared you'd pink me fore could
make myself known, and so had to
take it from ye. Hope you'll excuse
me for that. Ye might have killed
me by mistake, and then an expla-
nation wouldn't have did me no
good. See?"
eyes, see,' growled the other, to
whom the subject was evidently an
unpleasant one, and ranked, since it
showed how easy it would be to dis
arm him another time.
swell, and what do you wan't?" he
asked, afer moments pause.
"Why did you come and seek me
out?''
II thought that you might have
some work on hand for me to do"
Then, with keen look, II must say,
Will-that you have changed-there
are some things bout ye I can't make
out"
changed? Course I've changed;
who wouldn't in all these years.
Well, don't know but I have work
for you to do."
The other drew his chair up nearer
to the table and moved his thin lips
together as if he was smacking
them over a prospective treat.
''What is it, cleanin' chimneys?"
with a knowing wink.
I'm done with all such things"
"Get out-what sort of a story is
that? Turned Methody, have ye, an
you one of the best in the business?
Mind taking the bishops gold snuff
box at a weddin'-Oh, say, that was
rich," and he broke out into noisy
laughter.
"There-there. I wish. you wouldn't
make so much noise," grumbled Hen
bricks. I came here to keep out of
peoples way, and while don't mind
your finding me out"
The stranger drew long whistle,
and then nodded sagely.
II see. Wanted, eh? Well, natur-
ally, you must lay low for a while.
Now, what was the job you would
put me on to? You always was
master hand for laying out work. II
1 had your brains I'd do nothing else,
and it's much safer"
Il wish you wouldn't talk so much,
and listen to me-" said Job testify.
''What jabbler you are!"
'I'm shut up-so go ahead" said
the other, subsiding.
Job became thoughtful, and they
were not pleasant thoughts, to judge
from his frowning forehead and the
fierce look that came into his eyes.
His big hands resting on the arm Of
the chair opened and closed now and
then convulsively, but presently he
grew calmer.
''It was before your day that this
happened, maybe, or, at least you
were but a lad, Jebbs. The Della
mater Iron Works, over on the North
river side, was robbed-the foreman
happened to be Hlled-a man named
Martin Frale was accused-found
guilty and sentenced-to 20 years."
He paused and drew long breath.
GIVE heard the story. I was not
in business at the time," said the
other. "But what Of it7 They say
Frale Is dead!"
''Frale never had anything to do
with the murder. He was starving
almost at the time. There was
man-an enemy Of his-who that
night wined him and dined him, and
when he was fuddled led him into the
tronh1eD and when TOh was savin0