Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-02-05

Indeed, Mr. Mcckcr, | don't know
that | can tell you any more than Mr..
Grip has told you. / met Peters just
where ho fell. lie fell 50 quick--it was
50 unexpected neither Of us had time to
catch him. His head hit an ugly lump OF
iron lying at the corner Of the shed.
That hurt his head"
"Humph" said the NULL owner, in a
mclitativc manner Had Peters been
doing anything? Lifting, or walking
quick. or was he in his usual mood"
The little office seemed to reel an in
slant then Athcrton. whose eyes were
rivctcd upon Gripp, controlled himself
"Why, then. to tell the truth. we had
some words about my furnace Mr.. Gripp
heard all that passed. was mad, so
was Peters. when this thing happened"
I AIR said the owner again; then he
looked annoyed.
II guess" said Atherton. who was now
resolved to tell the whole truth, ard best
just begin at the beginning, and tell you
| all that passed"
The owner put up a hand, and lowered
his voice.
Hush. Time enough when he dies,
and the coroner is called in, az he may
be. There is no use making matters
worse by letting everybody know he was
in a passion. Say no more until you are
called upon, Athcrton Then you and
Mr. Gripp can give the necessary testi-
nony. Poor Peters! he was a very faith
ful mani
The doctor rose up suddenly. and the
others fell back filed with the awe sud
den death inspires
you may say he was now he is dead,
Mr.. Meckcr."
Then the group in the Office shuddcr-
ingly bent over and looked down on the
dead man. The owner alone had the
presence Of mind to give the necessary
directions.
Send worldly some discreet person
you, Wilson, break the news to his @ela-
tivrs. He has brother and sister. And
send word to his boarding house. Attend
to it at once. Poor Peters-a very faith
full fellow he was to us
As the owner turned away, he brushed
| his eyelashes. He was ineXpresSibly
| schockcd. Now that all was over, he
wanted to get away. He was man who
had a horror of death. He said to him
self he would have the sofa on which
Peters died removed at once. He was
stepping into his buggy when he turned
| back 10 the little knot of clerks.
"Of course you'll shut the mill down
OF once-just as soon as they run the heat
| out"
Then he sprang into his buggy and
drove away. He felt that he must do
something to make him forget the dying
scene he had just witnessed. The pic
| ture Peters presented as he lay on the
Office sofa seemed so horrible-so awful.
Gripp and AthCrton left the office to-
gether. The puddler did not look at
| Grip. He was inclined to avoid him,
but there was something suggestive in
| Grips silence.
'Well?" ne demanded suddenly, wheel
ing about and facing Grip as they were
walking in the mill yard alone.
| "WellT Grip looked at him with
calculating eye.
I'm going to tell the truth, Mr.. Gripp"
do just as you please. | wouldn't"
why? What have | to be ashamed
of? What have l to be afraid of? You
heard the doctor. You heard what Mr..
Meeker asked me-and you know how he
looked when | told him"
"Oh. do as you please"
"Why shouldn't do as | please. Mr.
Gripp? I've done pretty much as pleas
ed all my life I've never acknowledged
any man as my ruler. Why shouldn't
make clean breast of it."
Gripp smiled. 1t was an evil smile 1t
excited apprehension. Then the puddler
hcthought himself of the meaning Gripp
might take ont of his language.
"Wcll-thcre's nothing to make clean
| breast about come to think of it,"
Then you OUghta't to use the words"
| ,,I,oI I I
| to whip him, or he would have whipped
me. But no man living can say | ever
took advantage Of man. even in fight
which is rs much, maybe more, than
YOU can say, Gripp,"
Mr.. Gripp remarked that the mister"
was dropped now. lie smiled again
aud now his smile was very crafty.
you smile What are you looking at
me like that for| demanded Atherton.
II am no more his murderer than YOU
are. 1t was himself-his passion. I'm
sorry ought to be lesson to us. But
don't like your way of talking. and"
| Here the pudder looked about him, low
cred his voice, and added. II don't like
your Internal smile, Gripp. as il you
were wiser than me. or had the upper
hand Of me somehow"
|
me-" said Gripp. You can make a
clean breast Of it, AS you say-but il |
were you | wouldn't. | don't think it
will read we'll in print, I'm sure it won't
make you any friends"
The calm air Of superiority Gripp as
sumcd produced the precise effect he
intended. 1t goaded Athcrton, who lock.
ed at him with lowering browS and a
firm mouth. There was a dangerous light
in the ironwOrker'S eyes as he said, quite
coolly now:
"Gripp, you mind your husiness-I'n
mind mine, Aud don't you give advice
until you are asked for it,"
Then the puddlcr talked away aud
entered the mill, leaving Mr., Gripp to go
his own way.
The sudden death OF the manager occu,
pied the thoughts Of the hundreds of
workers in the great iron mill. Athcrton
was questioned by dozens of his fellows
As he made his way to his furnace. lie
was compelled to answer the same ques