Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-08-05

in dark blue uniform. with nickel
plated badge shaped like n shield and
bearing the words Marshal No. g."
came directly toward them from
stonecuttcr's shop near by.
Look heer, Bishop" he said dicta-
torially, wizard you git the right to
talk to that man:'
Alan looked surprised. "Am break
ing the law tooy'
You are ef you hain't got a permit
from the mayor in yore pocket"
well, l have no permit" replied
Alan with a good natured smile. "Have
you got another ball and chain handy?"
The officer frowned off his inclination
to treat the matter as jest. you ort
to have more sense than that" he said
crustily. Poles put out hecr to work
his time out, an eff everybody In town
is allowed to laugh an Joke with him
he'd crack about as many rocks as you
or me-"
You are durE liar, JEFF Dukes"
said Pole angrily. You are a-makin'
that up to humiliate me furder. You
know no law like that never was en-
forced. Eff ever git you out in Pea
Vine destrict, I'll knock dent in that
egg shaped head O yor'n an make
them eyes look two ways fer Sunday.
You know gentleman like Alan Bish-
OPP wouldn't notice you under ordinary
circumstances, an so you trump up
that excuse to git his attention"
The two men glared at each other,
but Pole seemed to get the best of that
sort of combat, for the officer only
growled.
"You can insult man when you
are under arrest" he said, "beca'se you
know am under bond to keep the
peace. But Pm not afeerd of you"
"They tell me you are afecrd O sper-
its, though" retorted the prisoner.
'They tell me little niger boy that
was shot when passle O. skunks went
to whip his daddy fer vagrancy stands
Mt the foot o. yore bed ever night. Oh,
know what I'm talkin' about"
Eyes, you know lots" said the man
sullenly as his eyes fell.
To avoid encouraging the disputants
further Alan walked suddenly away.
The marshal took willing advantage of
the opportunity and followed him.
II could make a case agin you," he
said, catching up, 'but l know you
didn't mean to violate the ordinance"
mo, of course didn't" said Alan.
"but want to know If that fellow
could be released If paid his fine"
You are not fool enough to do 1t, are
your"
THAT'S what am"
"Have you got the money in yore
pocket?" The officer was laughing, as
If at good Joke.
II have"
"Welr-thc marshal laughed again
as he swung his short club round by
string that fastened 1t to his wrist
''well, you come with me, an I'll show
you man that wants $50 wuss than
any man know of. don't believe Bill
Barrett has slept wink sence this
thing happened. He'll be tickled to
death to git of so easy. The town has
deviled the life out of him. He don't
go by whar Poles at work-I mean,
whar he amt at work-fer Pole yells
ut i'm whenever he sees i'm"
That night when Alan reached home
he sent servant over to tell Mrs. Ba-
ker that Pole was all right and that
he'd be home soon. He had eaten his
supper and had gone upstairs to go to
bed when he heard his name called out
side. Going to window and looking
out, he recognized Pole Baker stand
ing at the gate in the clear moonlight.
ALAN" he said softly, come down
heer minute. want to see you"
Alan went down and Joined him. For
moment Pole stood leaning against
the fence, his eyes hidden by his broad
brimmed SLOUGH hat.
did you want to see me, Pole?" Alan
asked.
"Yes, did," the fellow swallowed.
He made motion as IL to reach out
his hand, but refrained. Then he looked
straight into Alan's face.
81 couldn't go to sleep till I'd said
some'n' to you," he began, with an
other gulp. II laid down an made
try at 1t, but it wasn't no go. I've got
to say it. I'm heer to swear that eff
God or some'n' else don't show me
way to pay you back fer what you
done today I'll never draw satisfied
breath. Alan Bishop, yo're mana
man from yore outside skin to the
marrow o. yore bones, an eff don't
find some way to prove what think
about you I'll jest burn up! got into
that trouble as thoughtless US I'd play
prank with my baby, an then they
all come down on me an begun to try
to drive me like hog out'n field
with rocks an sticks, an the very old
Harry riz in me an defied 'em. I
reckon thar wasn't anything Bill could
do but carry out the law, an knowed
1t, but I wasn't ready to admit it.
Then you come along an rendered
verdict in my favor when you needed
the money you did it with. Alan. eff I
don't show my appreciation 1t II be
beca'se don't live long enough. You
never axed me but one thing, an that
was to quit drinkin' whisky. I'm goin'
to make try at it, not beca'se think
that II pay you back, but beca'se with
sober head kin be a better friend to
you eff the chance ever comes my way"
"I'm glad to hear you say that,
Pole" replied Alan, greatly moved by
the fellows earnestness. 81 believe
you can do it. Then your wife and
children
Hang my wife an children" snort
ed Pole. tits you I'm goin' to work
fer-you, say!'