Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-11-17

on his knee.
what assurance have II" STAN.
mered Craig, his face like death mask
against the rock behind him. "You
see, after you got the money, you
might think it safer to leave me here
thinking that l would prosecute you
wouldn't, as God is my Judge, but
you might be afraid
I'm not afraid o. nothin'," said
Pole. "Old man, you couldn't handle
me without putin yoreself in Jail fer
the rest o. yore life. That orders
a-goin' to be proof that you have money
when you've swore publicly that you
didn't. No; when Pm paid back Alan
| Bishops money I'll let you 80. l don't
want to kill man fer Jest tryin' to
steal an not maxim the rifle"
! The logic struck home The warmth
OF hope diffused itself over the Saunt
form.
"Then I'll write note to my WIFE"
he said.
Pole reached for one of the torches
|
well, I'm glad won't have to 90
furder n barley" he said. "It IL be
better fer both of us. By ridin' peert
can let you out before shutdown. You
may git late supper at barley, but
It's sight better n glttin' none heer
an no bed to speak Of"
I'm putting my life in your hands,
Baker," said Craig, and with an I'M
steady hand he began to write.
Hold on thar" said Pole You'll
know the best way to write to her, but
when the moneys mentioned i want
you to say the $4,000 deposited in the
bank by the Bishops. You see, I'm not
goin' to tote no order fer money l
hain't no right to. An I'll tell you an
other thing. old man, you needn't throw
out no hint to her to have me arrested.
AS God is my final judge, eff I'm tuck
up fer this, they'll never make me tell
whar you are. Id wait until you'd
pegsed out anyway"
I'm not setting any trap for you,
Baker" whined Craig. you've got the
longest head Of any man ever knew.
You've got me in your power, and all I
can ask Of you is my life. I've got
Bishops money hidden in my house.
! am willing to restore it If you will re-
lease me. I can write my wife note
that will cause her to give it to YOU.
Isn't that fair?"
"That's all want" said Pole. can
I'll say this to you: I'll agree to use my
influence with Alan Bishop not to ham
die you by law; but the best thing fer
you an yore family to do is to shake
the dirt of barley off'n yore feet an
seek fresh pastures. These round heer
amt as green, in one way. as some I've
seed"
| Craig wrote the note and handed it
up to Baker. Pole read it slowly and
then said: you mought "a axed 'er
to excuse bad writin' an spellin', an
hopin' these few lines will find you en-
joyin' the same blessin's; but eff it gifts
the Doodle that's all want. Now you
keep yore shirt on, an don't git skeerd
o the darkness. 1t will be as black as
pitch, an you kin heer yore eyelids
creak after l shet the front door, but
III be back. eff find yore old lady
hain't run off with handsomer man
an tuck the swag with 'er. I'm glad
you cautioned 'er agin AKIN me ques-
| TONS"
Pole backed to the foot of the ladder,
followed by Craig.
Don't leave me here, Baker," he
said imploringly. Don't. for Gods
sake! swear I'll so with you and get
you the money"
II can't do that, Mr. Craig; but I'll be
back as shore as fate. eff / get that
cash." promised Pole. sit all depends
on that. I'll keep my word if you do
your'n"
Il am going to trust YOU" said the
old man. with the pleading intonation
Of cowed and frightened child.
After he had got out Pole thrust
his head into the opening again. 1T IL
be like you to come up heer an try to
move this rock" he called out, "but
you mought as we'll not try It, fer I'm
goin' to add about dumpcart load O
rocks to 1t to keep the wolves from
| diggin' you out"
To be continued