Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-09-09

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 1t from his shaggy head
ut makes me SO all fired mad some
times, Mr.. Fincher, to heer folks a-run-
min that man down that want to
fight amt no religious man myself,
but respect one, an I've always put
him down in my book as a 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 minute"
Pole put on his hat and stared ut the
ground. He made gesture us If Of
protest but refrained from speaking.
whats wanted?" Craig came down
to them. He was smoking n cigar and
wore n comfortable look. as If he had
been fighting a hard but successful
fight and now heard only random shots
from a fleeing enemy.
"You amt 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 agln you"
"Oh, it's Baker!" exclaimed the ex-
banker, shaking hands with Pole and
beaming on him. "Well, 1 don't know
man I'd rather have for friend"
he said smoothly.
Pole tossed his head and looked
straight into the speakers eye. Pm
fer human justice, Mr.. Craig" he said,
IAN i 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 bit pore mountain boy.
but I've always looked on you as a
good man. a law abidin' man, an
don't like to hecr 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
life an me another. but now you are
fiat o. yore back, sir, I'm yore friend"
Craig's face beamed. he pulled his
beard: his eyes danced
I'm glad there are men In the world
like you, Baker" he said. 81 say I'm
glad, and mean it,
Fincher had begun to look over the
figures In his book and walked to the
front.
"Oh, my friendship amt wuth moth
In" said Pole. Il know that. never
was In the shape to hep nobody, but
know when mans treated right or
wrong"
well, If you ever need assistance
and can help you, don't fail to call
on me- Craig spoke with tone of
sincerity.
Pole took deep breath and lowered
his voice, glancing cautiously into the
house, as II fearful of being overheard.
well, l do need advice, Mr.. Craig"
he soid-"not money nor nothin' ex-
pensive. But I've laid awake night
after night wishin' at l could run on
some man of experience that / could
AK fer advice an that could trust
Mr.. Craig, I'll be blamed Of l don't
feel like telnn' you some'n' that never
has passed my lips
Craig stared In Interested astonish-
ment. well, you can trust me, Ba-
kerr" hesaid, 'and, II can advise you,
why, I'll do 1t with pleasure"
There was cotton compress near
by, with its vast sheds and platforms,
and Pole looked at 1t steadily He
thrust his hand into his pants pocket
and kept 1t there for full minute;
then he shook his bend, drew out his
hand and said: II reckon won't both
er you today, Mr.. Craig Some day
I'll come in. town an tell you, but
Pole looked at the sun. II reckon I'd
better be goin'."
Hold on! Craig caught Poles arm.
The ex-banker was natural man.
Despite his recent t ubles he had his
share of curiosity, and Poles manner
and words had aroused 1t to unwonted
activity. Hold on" he said Whats
your hurry? I've got time to spare IL
you have"
Pole hung his head for moment in
silence; then he looked the old man in
the face. "Mr. Craig" he began in even
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 d bale of
cotton, and he sat down ON 1t, first part
ing the tails of his long, black coat.
II don't know; there might be- he
said, deeply interested and yet trying
to appear Indifferent. There is plenty
of 1t in the same range farther down
about Dalonega."
Pole had his hand in the right pocket
Of his rough jean trousers.
"Is thar anybody in this town that
could tell a piece o. gold eff they seed
lit" he asked.
"Oh, good many, reckon" said
Craig. steely beam of excitement in
his unsteady eye. II can myself. l
spent two years in the gold mines of
California when was a young man."
you don't say! l never knowed
that." Pole had really heard of that
fact, but his face was straight. He had
managed to throw into 1t most won
derful blending of fear and overcau-
housness.
"Oh,. yes; I've had good deal of ex-
perience in such thinga"
you don't says' Pole was looking
toward the compress again.
Craig laughed out suddenly and put
his hand on Poles shoulder with a
friendly, downward stroke.
"You can trust me. Baker," he said
persuasively, land 1t may be that l
could be of assistance to you"
There was something like IN actual
tremor of agitation in Poles rough
hand as he drew his little nugget from
Its resting place at the bottom of his
pocket. With a deep, indrawn breath
he handed 1t to Craig. us that thar lit.
tie lump gold or notr he asked.
Craig started yisibly MS his eyes fell
on the piece Of gold. But he took II
indifferently and examined it closely.
Where did you run across thatY' he
asked.
81 want to know eff it's the puore
thing" answered Pole.
l - a