The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1903-08-28
CHAPTER Kill.
Around the Tavern Fire.

81 heard reyther a strange story
over yander in Their town thes mornin'
when l went fer Their DOCTORS" Tom
Smith said, presently, setting down his
mug of cider and wiping off his beard
ed lips with the back Of his hand. "a
strange story an reyther more'n l
think Johnsing deserves
He hev more'n he deserves now"
Sadler said, with a leer at Lode.
But the story, Tom" Jones inter-
posed, to prevent further unpleasant
ness. Lets hev ct ct once"
"Et's bout Johnsing, of course"
Smith said, solemnly. EFT all pears
ter be bout Johnsing. A shefless, no
count critter ennyhow."
Never mind bout tibet" Jones said,
seeing Lode turn his big black eyes
from the fire to the face of the speak
er. "Johnsing is havin' all he ken
we'll carry 'thout our sayin' hyard
thengs bout hem. Let's hev yer story,
Tom"
well, when | was done seem Their
doctors an Their wimmen," Smith con
tinued, "et Their judges house, what
young Green sent me ter see, | went
over ter Scrubs on Their corner
opp'sit' Their court house where some
O. Their fellers was. One O. Their men
thar got ter talkin' pretty free bout
Their trial an ther lamin' an Their hull
b'isness, an one O Their others sed ter
him tibet he'd best keep a civil tongue
in his head bout tibet Johnsing an his
gal, fer ct seems tibet Lem Johnsing-
him tibet left hyar many ear ago
hev KEN back ter see his brother,
an has been askin' news O. him, an
is a-findin' out all he ken bout him,
an special bout tibet gal O. hisn. Eft
seems he hev got his darter with him
an she hey took a farncy ter tibet
gal o Johnsing's from Their first what
she hev heard all from Their judges
son. An cts KEN out tibet thyes goin'
ter kerry her way up Moth ter Their
big city when tneys go, an eddicate
her an make a lady O. her. An Lem,
he hev a heap O. money, they says
over yonder, an he an Their jedge's
struck up a powerful friendship thet
may, they lowed, mebby prove a
benefit ter Johnsing in many ways
but most special in a way t ives all
know"
EFT pears queer how thengs KEN
round" Sadler said, m~editatively, but
Lem Johnsing al'ays did hev more
grit n most of EN-. Theys a shefless,
no count set ennyhow, 'ceptin' him,
an Their gal worse n most"
Look a-hyar, Sadler,' Lode said,
slowly-Dolores could not have
spoken slower. "Et's bein' worse'n,
Their beastie ter hit a man when he's
down, special when yer know he kyan't
live long ter bother nobody. Eff
alive et1l be more'n l reckon. An
more'n thet, he may be dead or a-dyin'
thes minnet while ives what call our
selves his trends be talkin' O him
names an sayin' onkind thengs bout
hem. Hem an his gal has 'nough ter
thenk of 'thout we unS heapin' on ner
an him a lot O. hyard thengs t amt
all true or kind. How'd We like Their
same bout We, or yer gal, Sadler?"
The fire died down on the hearth
until only a glowing heap of ashes re-
NAMED. The rain and wind sobbed
outside at the doors and windows,
swaying the creaking sign at the door
post. Suddenly the low door was
thrown open, letting in a gust of
| hoarse east wind and showers of rain
and sleet, and out of this like a wreath
of the storm, tall, g~raye-faced, drench-
ed to the skin, young Green stood in
their midst.
He closed the door and advanced
toward the fire, removing his hat as
ne did so.
Jones arose at once. Jones was
always ready for business; the judges
son would pay well, no doubt; he
should have the best in the house.
The other men retained their positions
and regarded the newcomer with no
friendly eyes.
"a powerful bad storm, jedge," said
Jones, good-naturedly. KEN right
up hyar by Their fire, an get We dry"
yes" Green said, pleasantly, quick
to note the sullen aspect of the men
around the fire. Its a night to make