News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-10-28
up with nuther.

on away Fincher stood eying
10 rs .,.. admiration ITS fact,
Il - You could IA made some'n'
0. rp'se'f if you'd IA been edu-
mad a shown"
-u., j.. aed his thumb over his shout
der ~ ig. who was standing in the
H. looking out into the street
- rf. Iy don't git fair shown in
l-..s Vs.. d, Mr.. Flnchcr" he said
".Aat Craig hain't been treated
Al expression died ouD OF the
n pa face, and he leaned against
til. lmb.
y right thar" he satd-"dead
rla.. as been mighty unlIcky and
bad trea, a.
lolp graAped the briu Of his massive
hat and crew it from his shaggy head.
~ ..yhg, ME so all fired mad some
mes 5r E'incher, to heer folks a-run-
nm tAat man down that | want to
GGAt. | aunt no religious man myse''
but / respect one, an I've always put
him down in my book as a good man."
$50 Sc |. said the merchant. and he
ioo4ed toward the subject of their
cony e.sat.o1 and called out, Craig,
Oh, CRAIG c0ne back heer minute"
Pole PIT on his hat "uG stared at tie
ground. IL uGde Il Gestdre as if of
! protest, but rclraj"e1 frnm speaking.
whats wartpd:" { ral2 came down
to them He was smoH ~ cigar and
wore comfortable look, as if he had
been fighting hard but successful
| fight and now heard only random shots
from fleeing enemy.
You amt candidate fer office"
| laughed I'inchcr. but nearly all men
like to know they've got friends. This
chap beers Eeen Standn' up fer you.
He says it makes him mad to hear
folks talk agin YOU"
oh. it's Baker, exclaimed the eX-
/ banker, shaking hands with Pole and
beamiug on him. We'll, don't know
n man I'd rather have for a friend"
he said smoothly.
Pole tossed his head and looked
straight into the speakers eye. I'm
fer human justice. Mr.. Craig" he said,
AN don't think folks has treated you
right. What man is thar that don't
now an then make mistakes, sir?
You've always had means. an | never
was anything but pore mountain boy,
but I've always looked on you as a
good man, law abidin' man. an |
don't like to heer folks try to blame
you fer what another man done. When
you had plenty, never come nigh you,
b2ca'se ! kn0wCd you belonged to one
life an me another hut now you are
fat O yore back, sir. ! m yOra friend"
Craig,s face beumed. lie pulled his
beard; his eyes danced.
81 II glad there are men in the world
re you, Baker lie said q say I'm
GLAD, and I mean it,"
Flnchar had begun TO look over the
figur,s in his book and walked to the
front.
oh my friendship amt with moth
IN" sat' pola Il know that never
was in The shape to hep nobody. but l
know when a mans treated right or
wrong
"Wnn, If You ever need assistance
and | can help yoH, don't fail to call
III me" Craig spoke with a tone Of
tincerity.
Pole took Il deep breath and lowered
his voice, gl@nc,ug cautiously into the
house, as if fearful Of being overheard.
We'll, | do NEED advice, Mr.. Craig"
he said-'not money nor nothin' eX-
pensiye But Eve laid awake night
nfter night Wishin at | could run on
some man of experience that | could
ny fer advice an that could trust.
Mr.. Craig, I'll be blamed eff | don't
feel like tellin' you some'n' that never
nus passed my lips"
Craig stared in interested astonish-
ment Well yOu can trust me, Ba-
Ser," he said and, if | can advise you,
why, I'll do it with pleasure"
There was a cotton compress near
by, with its vast sheds and platforms,
and Pole looked at it steadily. He
thrust his hand into his pants pocket
and kept il there for Il full minute;
then he shook his head, drew out his
band and said: 81 reckon | won't both
pr you today. Mr.. Craig. Some day
I'll come in town an tell you. but
Pole looked at the sun. Il reckon I'd
better be goin"
Hold onH' Craig caught Poles arm.
The eX-banker was a natural man.
Despite his recent troubles he had his
share of curiosity. and Poles manner
and words had aroused it to unwonted
activity. Hold on" he said. whats
your hurry? I've got time to spare if
you have
Pole hung his head for a moment in
silence; then he looked the old man in
he face. Mr.. Craig" he began in even
a lower voice, do you reckon thar's
any gold in them mountains" Pole
nodded to the blue wave in the east
Craig was standing near a bale Of
cotton, and he sat down on it, first part
ing the tails of his long, black coat.
81 don't know; there might be-" he
said, deeply interested and yet trying
10 appear Indifferent. There is plenty
Of it in the same range farther down
about Dalonega."
Pole had his hand in the right pocket
Of his rough jean trousers.
SIS thar ANYBODY in this town that