The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-01-16
THE Sl1ERIFF'S
Of I~
BY lucy BhKER JEROME.


II u
5cfotctooooooood, 3cttt?bootr3
n II had not been for the gray eyes
that locked YOU in the face from
the big SLOUGH hat you might have said
that the ghoriG's deputy was the pro
verbal square peg in The round hole.
Every one in PUTNAM Greek had Won
dcrcd when Jack Farley, standing but
five feet Two in his feathers, with IL
voice like a woman'8, a "CouDtcngUCe
apparently hown out Of wood and
known as the most modest and retiring
man throughout four counties, had
been appointed deputy to Sheriff Hart.
n giant in stature and a genius at
blufiug. who boosted that he was the
terror Of evil doors all over the state.
Since the depuly's election. now come
three months cold, his duties had main
ly consisted in interfering in 4 few
cock fights, forbidden sport now, ave
in precincts out Of reach of the law;
in the keeping OF an eye on the ga
looms along the river front, anrl in
guiding conyiyial and bclatcd WANDER
ers gently toward the lookup at the
farther end Of town, But this norm
ing the town was astir. Big Pete, who
made his home in the "pine-covered
mountains. descending only at long in
teryalB to secure the needed supplies
for his Cleycrly concealed cabin far
up some mountain trail, was wanted
and the sheriff had set out 10 secure
him.
He had ridden into town the night
before; had become involved In q hnsty
quarrel with a man whom he had never
seen til that moment, had drawn his
revolver and shot, 0nCe-twice-and a
man stretched at horrible length lay
prone in the dusk, While miles away,
heading toward the mountains that
rose gray and grim against the sky
line, rode pursuer and pursued with
hut a league between.
The sheriff returned the next day
angry and excited. Farley rode mildly
in his rear. They lad ridden 40 miles
into the mountains only TO be bafied
by one Of Big Pete's clever tricks. Cut
ting across a stream which In dry
weather served as a ford, he had
crossed it again half a mile farther up
its bank, had discovered the footprints
OF a band of wild mustangs and,
doubling on their tracks. had success
fully eluded his p]urSuers, who, riding
on in mad haste. we're happily unCon-
sCious that Big Pete rode leisurcly
along in their rear. On the return way
they had been met by an old noun
taineer who explained the ruse to them
so CouvinCingly that the sheriff vowed
TO return for his quarry at daybreak,
The deputy Longing carclcSsly out
side the store. listening in silence to
the questions and comments of the
various groups of men, might have
seemed, to "A casual observer, slightly
bored, but the eyes under the slouch
hat were unusually bright and keen,
and not a word Of the heating argu-
ments that occurred was lost on him.
lie sat quietly on a dlapidated box.
hastily upended for the convenience
Of his small stature, and appeared TO
he lazily chipping bits OF wood from
The corner of tho log building. lie
leaned forward a little to look at the
last speaker.
"What d'you say. Jim2'
An old man With Eril2Ied hair and
beard turned slowly toward the dep
uty.
Hes got some things cached on the
mountain side. ! seen him there one
day. He was windin' round the place
like a hawk"
where at?' asked Farley, indiTcr-
emily.
The old man leaned eagerly forward.
SAY! You know that big iat-top pine
MP beyond the fork of the Snow river
canyon? It's by the big bald bluG 40
foot along the river bed
II wonder If Hartll know about that
place." Queried the deputy in his soft
voice. rising as he spoke and casting
a keen glance about,
The old man shot a contemptuous
glance at him 81 guess the sheriff
will get him all right he commented
laconicaIly. fitting his chair on is
hind legs that he might have an u,.-
interrupted view of Farley's face.
Harris pretty keen on the scent, and
he amt N SLOUGH when his minds
made up, | reckon wen hear some
thing tomorrow II Hart can't get
him, nobody can
To this last remark PUTNAM Creeks
population gruntGd an unqualified as.
sent. TO these rough lumbermen
muscle and Drawn were winning cards,
and the sherif's six feet of perfect
thews and sinews appealed TO the
primal forces in them.
But Farley took the implied disap.
progal good naturally as he had taken
everything in life so far, and only
smiled gently as he slid from the
cracker box. and nudding to the circle
of men dri!ted slowly up tho MAR
street.
Out of eye rage his expression
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