Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-12-20


self. We want to carry 1t back where
It cum from fore this snow gifts emmy
wuss.' = >G 5. 81. 5.., " g. 81 "sE= {g5
Berger mumbled something about be-
Ing tired and hungry. but nevertheless
set to work at once. Satisfied that it
would be repaired az expeditiously az
possible, they hitched their ponies out
Of the wind aud started for Miley's
store. They paused a minute before
one Of the windows and looked In. The
proprietor was tying up package for
little man with red scarf around his
neck, while q solitary Individual stood
warming himself by the fire In the
back part Of the store Suddenly an ex-
clamation burst from Jim, and grab
bling his companion by the shoulder, he
pointed excitedly to the figure at the
stove. Z
"Look, Ike; thar's Rob Desmond got
back, sure as shootin'v'
Yer right, by ginger!' calculated Ike
as he peered in above the rim of frost
on the pane at a handsome, well built
young fellow Of about twenty-five who
had taken or his hat and coat and
seemed to be making himself thorough
" comfortable in front of Miley's old
rust spotted heater. =.
"Wot'n he say?'
"'Bout his cabin?"
'*Yep."
"IAghtnin' an razors"
'Say, Ike, I've struck an idee," wh1s-
eered his companion, with half sup
pressed chuckle: I'VE can have good
one on Rob-the best thing out-a
regular Christmas joker
"Wot is it?''
Approaching his friend, Jim spoke q
few words in his ear. Ike put both
hands over his mouth to check the
laughter he could not quite repress:
"That'll be a rich one on Bob, all
right. Well do it! BY jimson, we
will" he exclaimed. "a Teller needs
leetle cheer O. some kind ut Christmas
time" Then after few minutes of
hurried conference the two entered the
store. After greeting Miley, who stood
behind his counter, they fastened back
hearty welcome.
And what's the neWs?" asked Des-
mond as he shook hands with them
both. -
"News?" said Jim, assuming reflec-
tive look aud pickering up his eye
brows. "Oh, nothin' much, 'cept thet
ole Biler's sold out an left. An
femme see-yes, thar's Super, he got
throwed an broke his collar bone, an
US galoots has been dom wot we could
ter patch i'm up. WAL, an then," with
wary look, ''thar's some new settlers
comm in lately-wantin' timber claims,
an jumpin' 'em, too, when they git
chance. But how'd yer leave the ole
folks back in 1ndianny?'
"Ah well, and could hardly tear N.Y.
self away from them"
II reckon hearin' bout yer claim has
kinder hiked yer back" remarked Ike,
regarding him out of the corner of his
eye.
MY claim: What do you meanT'
And Desmond's blue eyes dilated wide
" and grew almost black.
II sposed yer heered all about 1t
fore this" said Jim. why, yer see,
yer claim has been kinder took. A fam
lily moved inter yer shanty. Yes, they
have, by ginger" he added as wave
of incredulity stole over his listeners
features.
t. "Do you mean to tell me that some
low down sneak has dared to lump nv
claim while I've been back visiting my
father and motherT' cried Desmond,
the flush of doubt changing to one of
resentment.
Looks powerfully thet way" admit
ted his torlnentor. "Seed a kivered
wagon thar an smoke pourin' out O.
yer chimbley." .g.
"Who is the sneaking cur2" demand
ed the now thoroughly aroused man.
II Dunno
"Well, it won't take me long to find
out" retorted Rob, drawing on his
heavy buffalo overcoat with an angry
jerk.
"Wot! Yer amt goin' ter go ter yer
claim right now7" =.
Eyes, and I'll see that that sneak
thief gets out of my shack in a hurry.
I've got pretty we'll warmed up" with
q grim. smile, "and don't need Miley's
fire any longer" .5.
II wouldn't go it l was you,' said
Ike. 49,. ..
"You wouldn't?'' eying him with con-
temptuous establishment.
"Now - =.
"You must be a fool If you think I'm
going to give up my land, after all I've
done on it, without SO much as a by
your leavev" -. -
But yer might get inter trubble."
might ~ cried Desmond, with a
gesture of disgust, holding up pair
Of heavy pistols and then thrusting
them into his belt "We'll see about
that! If the cuss isn't of my premises
inside an hour I'll give him trouble,
and lots Of itv'
Il don't think you'll run that settler
out" said Jim coolly. j.
You don'tv' -. IN. =. +:
mo, don't" 49,. 49,. - !.
''What's the reason2''
.+Thars sev'ral reasons, an as fer
me, l wouldn't want ter tackle the
Job" VIZ ~ -
''You wouldn't? Well, don't worry.
I'll not call on you for assistance
and, with quick stride, Rob Desmond
walked out OF the store, got his horse
from the stable where 1t had been kept
during Ids absence, mounted and was
soon galloping away through the snowy