Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-11-30
SILVER SPUR !

| he steps up to where the bully stood
hopping his face and. with a finger be-
tween the leaves OF his book, bows very
politely.
You handled that dog, sir. choicely
WELL" says he, in thin voice that seem
ed to have chuckle hidden in it some
where. But sure" he went on, twas
hard on the poor cur, that had never
heard of Captain Lucius Higgs-"
l thought the bully would have had
him by the windpipe and pitched him
after the mastiff, so fercely he turn'd at
the sound Of this name. But the old gen
tleman skipped back quite nimbly and
held up finger.
I'm a man of peace, If another title
suits yOu better
Where got you that name" growled
the bully, and had half a mind to come
on again, but the other put in briskly:
Tin on plain errand of business. No
need. as you hint, TO mention names; and
therefore let me present myself as Mr.
t."
My name is Luke Settle said the
big man. hoarsely
Let US say Mr. X l prefer il"
The old gentleman, as he said this,
popped his head on one side. laid the
fcrefnger of his right hand across the
book and seemed TO be considering.
Why did you throttle that dog min
ute ago?' he asked sharply.
why, to save my skim" answers the
fellow, bit puzzled.
Would you have done it for fifty
pounds?
AYE, or half that"
And how if it had been a puppy.
Mr. A?'
Now, all this from my hiding | heard
very clearly, for they stood right uRLer
me in the dusk. But as the old gentle
man paused to LEI his question sink in,
and the bully to catch the drift of it be-
fore answering, one Of the dicers above
struck up to sing
While this din continued. the stranger
held up one fore6nger again, as il be-
seeching silence, the other remaining
still between the pages of his book.
Pretty boyst" he said. as the noise
died away; pretty boys! It's easily
seen they have a bird to pluck"
He's none Of my Dlucking.'
And if he were. why not? Sure
you've picked a feather or two before
I'm tell you what" interrupts the
big man, next time you crack me one
Of your deaths-head jokes. over the wall
you go after the dog. What's to prevent
it?"
why. this" answers the old fellow.
leerfully. There's money to be made
by doing no such thing. And | don't
carry il all about with me. So, as tits
late. we'd best talk business at once"
They moved away toward the seat I'M
der the sycamore. and now their words
reached me no longer-only the low muir
muir OF their voices, Their very forms
were lost within the shadow. l, myself,
was cold enough by this time, but lay
still nevertheless. And after awhile they
stood up together, and came pacing
across the bowling green, the older man
trailing his foot painfully to keep step.
''-besides the pay" the stranger
was saying, there's all you can win Of
this young fool, Anthony, all you find
on the pal which I'll wager"
They passed out of hearing. but turned
soon and came back again. The big man
was speaking this time.
IN be shot il | know what game
you're playing in this"
The elder chuckled softly. an be
shot if mean you to-" said he.
And this was the last | heard. For
now there came a Gathering ut the door
behind me- and Mr.. Robert Drury reeIed
in. Liquor was ever his master, a. to-
day the Kings health had been a fair
excuse. He did not spy me, but the roar
Of his ballad had startled the two men
outside and sD while he was StrrnbIin
over chairs and cropping for a finder box,
slipped out in the darkness, and down
stairs into the street.