The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-09-17

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knowed 'em or not, an foller 'em
around till they bought; then he'd walk
up an rake in his part"
Il got left once" said Pole, laughing
with the others. lone gang that l
stuck to all day went over to Melton
an bought"
"Well, the merchants caught on after
awhile an stopped him." said Trabue,
"but he made good money while he
was at it. They'd "a sent i'm up fer it
eff it hadn't been sech q good joke on
EN-"
II don't know about that" replied
Pole thoughtfully. Il was dom all l
agreed, an eft they could afford to pay
10 per cent to anybody they mought as
we'll "a paid it to me. drawed trade
to the whole town. The cigars an
whisky l give away amounted to a
lot. I've set up many a night tellin'
them mossbacks tales to make 'em
laugh"
"Well. eff you ever git into any trou-
bic let me know" said Trabue as he
rose to go. "I'u defend you at half
price. You'd be sight O. help to a
lawyer. I'll be hanged if ever seed a
better case AN you made out in the
mayors court, an you hadn't thing
to back it up with nuther"
The hay was unloaded and the wag-
ons driven away. Fincher stood eying
Pole with admiration. Its a fact"
he said. You could "a made some'n'
out O. yore'se'f if you'd "a been edu-
Gated an had q showin'"
Pole jerked his thumb over his shout
der at Craig, who was standing in the
front door looking out into the street.
Everybody don't git fair shown in
this world, Mr.. Fincher," he said.
THAT man Craig hain't been treated
right"
The jovial expression died out of the
merchants face, and he leaned against
the door jamb.
'You are right thar" he said-"dead
right. He's been mighty unlucky and
bad treated"
Pole grasped the brim of his massive
hat and drew it from his shaggy head.
1T makes me so all fired mad some
times, Mr.. Ffncher, to heer folks a-run-
MIN that man down that l want to
fight. amt no religious man myself,
but respect one, an I've always put
him down In my book as good man."
'So've l." said the merchant, and he
looked toward the subject Of their
conversation and called out, "Craig.
oh, Craig, come back heer a minute"
| Pole put on his hat and stared at the
ground. He made gesture as if of
protest, but refrained from speaking.
whats wanted?" Craig came down
to them. He was smoking q cigar and
wore comfortable look, as if he had
been fighting a hard but successful
fight and now heard only random shots
from fleeing enemy.
you amt a candidate fer office {"
laughed Fincher, "but nearly all men
like to know they've got friends. This
chap heer's been standin' up fer you,
He says it makes him mad to hear
folks talk agin you.'
"Oh, it's Bakerv exclaimed the ex-
banker, shaking hands with Pole and
beaming on him. ''Well, don't know
a man I'd rather have for friend 8,
he said smoothly.
Pole tossed his head and looked
straight into the speakers eye. ssI'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 I never
was anything but pore mountain bow,
but I've always looked on you as a
good man, law abidin' man, an I
don't like to heer folks try to blame
you fer what another man done. When
you had plenty, never come nigh you,
beca'se knowed you belonged to one
llte an me another, but now you are
nat o yore back, sir, I'm yore friend"
Craig's face beamed. He pulled his
beard; his eyes danced. 50