Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-11-13

Oau Ireated.
Pole grasped the brim of his massive
hat and drew it from his shaggy head.
ut makes me so all fred 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 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 as If of
protest, but refrained from speaking.
whats wanted?" Craig came down
to them. He was smoking cigar and
wore comfortable look, as If he had
been fighting hard but successful
1 fight and now heard only random shots
from 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 asin you"
"Oh, It's Bakerr' exclaimed the ex-
banker. shaking hands with Pole and
beaming on him. "Well, don't know
man I'd rather have for friend"
he said smoothly.
straight into the speakers eye. I'm
fer human justice, Mr.. Craig" he said,
can 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 but pore mountain boy,
but I've always looked on you as
1 good man, a law abidin' man. an
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
life 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.
"I'm glad there arc men in the world
like you, Baker" he said. II say I'm
glad, and mean it."
Ftncher had begun to look over the
figures in his book and walked to the
front.
"Oh, my friendship amt with moth
In" said Pole. II know that. I never
was in the shape to hep nobody, but
know when a mans treated right or
erong."
"Well, If you ever need assistance
and 1 can help you, don't fail to call
1 xuy{ff ~
sincerity.
Pole took deep breath and lowered
his voice, glancing cautiously into the
house. as If fearful of being overheard.
"Well, do need advice, Mr.. Craig"
. he said-"not money nor nothin' ex-
pensive. But I've laid awake night
after night wishin' at I could run on
> some man of experience that I could
! ak fer advice an that could trust.
> Mr.. Craig, I'll be blamed eff don't
. feel like tellin' you some'n' that never
has passed my lips"
. Craig stared in interested astonish
ment. well, you can trust me, Ba-
. ker," he said, land, If I can advise you,
why, I'll do it 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 head, drew out his
;, hand and said: II reckon won't both
er you today. Mr.. Craig. Some day
Pole looked at the sun. II reckon I'd
better be goln'."
"Hold on!' Craig caught Poles arm.
The ex-banker was a natural man.
Despite his recent troubles he had his
share of curiosity, and Poles manner
and words had aroused it to unwonted
activity. Hold on" he said. whats
your hurry? I've got time to spare II
you have"
Pole hung his head for moment in
silence; then he looked the old man In
the face. "NIr. Craig" he began in even
lower voice, do you reckon thar's
any gold in them mountains?" Pole
I nodded to the blue wave in the east.
Craig was standing near bale OF
cotton, and he sat down on it, first part
ing the tails of his long, black coat
81 don't know; there might be-" he
said. deeply interested and yet trying
to appear Indifferent. "There is plenty
of it in the same range farther dowr
about Dalonega."
Pole had his hand in the right poke
of his rough jean trousers.
els thar anybody in this town tina
could tell piece o. gold eff they seet
IT." he asked.
ooh. good many, l reckon" sale
Craig. steely beam of excitement IL
his unsteady eye. II can myself.
spent two years in the gold mines o
California when was young man."
:. "You don't say! never knowet
: that" Pole had really heard Of tina
~ fact, but his face was straight. He ha
X managed to throw into it most wor
derful blending Of fear and overcar
lg tiousness.
ooh, yes; I've had good deal Of ez
N perience in such things"
"You don't sayv' Pole was lookin
er toward the compress again.
e. Craig laughed out suddenly and pu
le his hand on Poles shoulder with
it friendly, downward stroke.
IN "You can trust me. Baker," he sal
persuaslvely, "and it may be that
ed could be Of assistance to you.'
/ There was something like an actut