The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-08-05
(Contlnued.)

Pole tossed his head and looked
straight into the speakers eye. Pm
for human Justice Mr. Craig" he said,
am don't think folks has treated You
riclt What man is thar that don't
now an then make mistakes, sir?
You've always had means, an l never
was anything but pore mountain boy.
but I've always looked on you as a
good man, law abidin' man. an |
don't like to hocr folks try to blame
you fer what another man done. When
q YOU had plenty, | never come nigh you,
beca Sc knoWed you belonged to one
life an NE another but now you are
fat O yore back. sir, I'm yore friend"
CTai2s face beamed. He pulled his
beard; his eyes danced.
I'm glad there are men in the world
] like you, Baker" he said. Il say I'm
glad. and I mean it,
4 Flacher had begun to look over the
figures in his book and walked to the
front
oh. my friendship amt with moth
in" said Pole. Il know that. L never
was in the shape to hep nobody, but I
know when q mans treated right or
i wrong"
We'll If you ever need assistance
and can help you, don't fail to call
me- Craig spoke with a tone OF
\ sincerity
a Pole took deep breath and lowered
u his voice gIancing cautiously into the
q house, as if fearful of being overheard.
s. Well, | DO need advice. Mr. Craig"
be Said-"not money nor nothin' ex-
penslve. But I've laid awake night
after night wishin at l could run on
some man Of experience that l could
ak fer advice an that l could trust.
Mr.. Craig, III be blamed eff l don't
feel like tellin' you some'n' that never
] has passed NY lips"
j Craig stared in interested astonish-
ment Well you can trust me, Ba-
heF. be said, and, if l can advise you,
why, I'll DO it with pleasure"
There was cotton compress near
by with It's vast sheds and platforms
ana Pole locked at it steadily. He
'n,u>t his hand into his pants pocket
q ana kept it there for full minute;
q - .A'A lie shook his head, drew out his
|nfLl ana said: Il reckon l won't both
pr you today, Mr. Craig. some day
Il come in town an tell you. but
ole looked at the sun. Il reckon I'd
Deter be goin."
Hold on" Craig caught Poles arm
The ex-banker was a natural man
Despite his recent troubles he had his
snare OF curiosity, and Poles manner
A1'u words had aroused it to unwontec
8cIlFlty' Hold on" he said. What:
'ouT hurry? I've got time to spare Il
You have"
koie hung his head for q moment II
hlleAce; then he looked the old man IL
Tue lace. Mr.. Craig" he began In ever
d lower voice, do you reckon thar
any gold In them mountains" Poll
"ouled to the blue wave in the east.
craig was standing near a bale O
tollon, and he sat down on it. first part
'"s the tails Of his long, black coat.
! don't know; there might be-" h
S"4u' deeply interested and yet trying
70 appear Indifferent. There is plent.
y. Il III the same range farther dow
4Dout Dalonega."
foIe had his hand in the right poke
Vi his rough jean trousers.
IS thar anybody in this town tina
GOULD tell a piece O. gold eff they see
itE' he asked.
oh, good many, l reckon" sal
Ifalg, steely beam Of excitement Il
Ills unsteady eye. Il can myself.
spent two years in the gold mines o
Na!noEnla when l was young man.
1, lou don't say! l never knowe
snat Pole had really heard Of tina
1acI but his face was straight. He ha
-ianaged to throw into it a most VOL
ueflul blending Of fear and overcar
uousness.
oh, yes; I've had a good deal Of e1
penence in such things"
1ou don't sayr' Pole was look1n
'oWard the compress again.
craig laughed out suddenly and PIT
us hand on Poles shoulder with
friendly, downward stroke.
lou can trust me. Baker," he sal
peFsuasively, 'and it may be that
eouId be Of assistance to you"