Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-21
The Proving of Hdmp PaddIefOrd
shorl story by FRANK u. sMnEr.

line into another state. an that1l b,
an end Of the matter. only that you an ms
will have $40 or $50 apiece"
"Bill Todd got caught up with when
he tried TO run a boss from Hinckle'p
last year" said Hamp, thoughtfully. Hes
in Jail yet"
That's dlf-ruut," contemptuously.
"Hinckle had a pair Of eyes IN every fenc,
post on his place; an besides, you know
Bill Todd. A COW could catch I'D with
him. VIII you go7"
VIII | go?" Hamp turned suddenly.
with face TRANSPORTED. He was another
man, his form dilated, his eyes flashing.
"will l go?" he repeated. Man, Ia go II
there was two pairs OF eyes in every pos,
an each pair sightin' me across a gun bar
rel. Amt Tyke comm for an answer to-
morrer? ia give up cause l couldn't see
no way; il I could, an twas to pull down
the moon, I'd kick my legs an arms of
a~-tryin'. You amt looked in Posey's eyes
an seen what have. Come"
Sam grinned derisively.
Been hangin' round Posey bout three
years. highs I can r~ec'lect," he commented,
IAN amt never had q squirt like this afore,
not even a squirt big 'nough to steer we into
a pair OF shoes for meetin' day. Reckon
Tyke's crossin' the trail has sort Of stirred
ye up. But come on. They's no sort OF
hurry, for faint noon yet; but I don't
reckon ye'd be satisfied to wait now we've
struck a scent.
1t was ten miles to the new settlement
down in the valley, but their long legs made
It in a little less than two hours. AS they
approached the cluster OF dwellings, which
we're taking the place Of the big barn and
stock Yards, they noticed what seemed an
unusual gathering for even the building Of
q village. Nor did they hear the sounds of
saws and hammers. Instead, nondescript
wagons were standing about, with horses
hltched TO wheels or tailboards; other
horses wore fastened to the fences, with
saddles on, and men we're walking about or
gathered in groups in earnest discussion.
Hamp and Sam paused irresolutely and
looked at each other; then Sam nodded, his
face clearing.
Lection, Of course he said. 81 heered
they vas goin' to call the neighborhood to-
gether to talk over a school house an a
court house, an to 'lect town officers an a
sheriff. but didn't know when. This is It.
Wall" re1ectively, Il don't reckon it'll
make any difference to us. Only, stead Of
skulkin' off one side, I'll so straight on
with you into the crowd. Two more won't
make no jar. Well slide round an make
friends till bout dark, then I'll slip a
couple of bosses into the bushes an tie
EN-. Folks won't notice with so much
going on, an you maxim yourself con-
spic'ous all the time. After a while I'll
come strollin' back unconcerned like an
you an nell talk some with everybody an
then prance off straight opposite. circlin'
round to the bosses, arter dark. ThatTl
prove an allerbi in case ones needed. But
look yonder."
Hamp turned. A big negro was heading
directly toward them, running at full speed.
But as be drew near and saw them he
suddenly swerved. sprang over a fence and
sped across a field toward the nearest
wood. With a "somethin's done broke"
Hamp cleared the fence at a bound and
sped after him. The negro was a large
man and a good runner, but Hamp was
larger and swifter. At the end OF a 100
yards dash his hand dropped heavily upon
the negro's shoulder, swung him round and
began to drag him back TO the group of
men who had by this time Joined Sam.
Ding me II that want the best capture
l ever saw" called one of them, delight
eddy, as Hamp approached with his prisoner.
"A clean Jump an run, an a clutch like a
steel trap. That's the way folks ought to
be took. Come to lection, l s'pose?"
why, yes, sort Of" Hamp acquiesced.
me an my friend Sam lowed we'd step
round an git 'quainted a little"
That's right that's right" heartily.
I'VE want everybody round to jine in with
us an git law an conveniences started.
We need EN- bad This black feller's been
maxim chicken business pretty brisk lately,
but we didn't have any lawful place to shet
him up. I've kept him tied in my barn
gLana aa.. ww,NFIab -. gIa,aNAH a. -.n-4aa |
suitable officers an places. Live near by"
"'Bout ten miles"
wall, that's pretty close in a neighbor-
hood like this, but l hope you'll come in
closer still. It's a mighty good thing to
have a neighbor who can capture criminals
In such an easy, off-hand way. Folk'll all
be glad to know you. See," smiling and
nodding significantly toward a group that
was hurrying toward them, there comes
a passie now. S'pose you tell me your
name so l can do the talkin'."
Hamp glanced sideways at Sam, but Sam
war looking straight ahead and did not APP
pear to see him. Still. in spite OF the
gravity OF the face, he was conscious Of a
slow, convulsive wink, apparently directed
at a turkey buzzard floating In the distance.
I'm Hamp. for short" he said, answer
ing both the man and the wink; 'Hamp
Paddleford, altogether. My friend here is
Sam Pollock. An weIl be glad to line in
your lection an other business. We come
down Jest to be ~neighborly."
Good! good for youl" cried the man,
shaping Hamp between the shoulders.
You're the right sort. My names Thomp-
sor-BiH ThOmpson-an' that's my house
right ahead. the big one. Now for the in
troductin'."
During the next half hour Hamp passed
from one group to another, soon establish
ing himself as an open-hearted, good-na-
tured fellow who was ready 70 make friends.
And his character was saved from undue
gentleness by the story OF the negroes cap
ture. which followed him everywhere.
At length a man stood up in q wagon body
and began to talk, and the scattered groups
closed In, Hamp and Sam in the very front.
And to all appearance there were none more
interested than they in the fate OF the
school house and court house and iail. and
In the selection Of suitable committees and
town officials. But though their hands and
voices were always emphatic and conspicu-
Gus. they we're used In a iudicious secondinR
Of the popular sentiment.
In time the Office Of sheriff was reached.
and, as had been the case with the other Of
fees, II was to be decided upon by the pop
MAR and aaqv math~d NJ ahoufna handg /