Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1902-05-02

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Anyhow"
The two men looked into each 9TH
er's eyes. and the taller said as he
pushed back his chair: Wouldn't be
surprisin' eft that was why Santa
Claus didn't come this way. He's
great feeder. you know. But ct we
come up with him crossin' the range
wen tell him what good cooks you
are" He was pulling on his gloves
now, but he stopped and thrust hand
/ into his pocket. Here; give this ter
your mother an tell her we're sorry
fer the mess we left, but we amt got
/ time ter clear up"
Then they were gone, and Freddy
and Teddy were studying over the
round yellow dollar the tall man had
thrown on the table.
The two horsemen had pushed four
miles IN the teeth of the storm before
/ they spoke Of the twins. They had
stopped under shelter of an overhang-
ing rock to tighten up girths and to
gather fresh strength from the TASKS
which they drew from their hip pock-
cts. The shorter man leaned YEARLY
against his faithful horse.
Seems good many years. Jim.
sence the ole lady filed our stockin's
an told us stuff about Santa Claus.
What was 1.-THE night before Christ
masY Great stuff we thought It,"
"Come on" said his companion anx-
iously. you'll be Off your nut direct
~ ef you don't get some quinine or
sOmethin'."
"I've got an idee when we strike
Golden well buy somethin' sides qui-
nine" He groaned slightly and clutch
ed at his side.
It'll be box 6 by 2 eft you don't get
. move on" growled the tall man.
| His companion looked up with q
smile that almost TRANSPORTED his face.
| Don't get grouchy. Jim. We're goin'
ter meet Santa Claus down ter Browns
store an drop his pack by that cabin
on the Fort Kane trail. It's resk,
know"-this as he noted the angry
light in the others eyes-'but, Lord,
them two youngsters has about cried
their eyes out, an'-well, you remem-
Der when the ole lady filed our stock
ms, jim"
The tall man threw himself into, his
saddle. but he did not answer even
with an oath.
| It was nearly morning in mar
row room ut the Golden hotel. A
smoky lamp gave forth sickly b.
Of light, which in turn fell upon ;.
CHASTITY bearded face. The short man
was breathing fast now and with an
ugly gurgle in his throat. Suddenly
he turned toward the grim watcher by
his bedside, and in his eyes was the
pathetic yearning Of child.
ut amt no use ter send fer the doc
tor. Jim. 1t only means bein' hauled
Off ter Jail ter die. know it all right.
Its pneumony. An the first marshal
as claps eyes on you will clap some
thin else on your wrists" A grin Of
humor shone even through the dying
mans agony. Fer the sake Of the ole
lady. Jim. don't forget them kids. Drop
off at that cabin. sure, an then make
tracks, fer when they fin me they'll be
on your trail. S'long. Jimmy!"
The tall man Strengthened up as II
the name he had not heard In years.
Jimmy" hurt him. He picked up the
other mans coat and took from its
pockets some odd shaped. knobby bun.
dies. Then he came back to the bed.
side and gripped the hand that lay out.
side the gray blanket.
81 can't do 1t. George. by heavens,
oan'tw
Slowly the sick man opened his eyes
Fer Gods sake. man. it's bad enough
fer me ter die. but ter see you took by
the deputies'- A shudder ran ovel
the dying mans frame. go on. JIM
my. an'-an'-don't forget them kids"
The Cheyenne papers two days latel
announced In glaring headlines that
the body Of Jim Cosgrove one of the
most notorious stage robbers of the
Little Basin district. had been found II
a hotel room at Golden. Deserted Ii
His Dying Hour by His Comrade," rar
one of the subheads.
And In the little cabin on the Fort
Kane trail two small boys were max
ing merry with the gaudiest toys to bt
purchased at Browns General Store
and eating more candy than they hai
enjoyed In all the rest Of their shor
/ lives put together.