The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-12-22

wei, 1t won't take me long to nnd
out" retorted Rob, drawing on his
heavy buffalo overcoat with an angry
jerk.
"Wot! Yer amt goinpte ter go ter yer
claim right now?"
Yes, and III see that that sneak
thief gets out Of my shack in hurry.
I've got pretty well warmed up," with
a grim smile, "and don't need Miley's
fire any longer"
II wouldn't go if was you," said
Ike.
"You wouldn'tY' eying him with con-
temptuous establishment
"Nov'
"You must be fool if you think I'm
going to give up my land, after all I've
done on it. without SO much as by
your leavev"
But yer might get inter trubble."
might II" cried Desmond, with
gesture of disgust holding up a pair
Of heavy pistols and then thrusting
them into his belt "We'll see about
that! If the cuss isn't off my premises
inside an hour I'll give him trouble
and lots of itv'
II don't think you'll run that settler
out" said Jim coolly.
You don'tv'
mo, don't"
whats the reason?"
"Thar's sev'ral reasons, an as fer
me, l wouldn't want ter tackle the
Job"
"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 it had been kept
during his absence, mounted and was
soon galloping away through the snowy
dusk Of the late afternoon.
When he was well beyond earsnot the
two conspirators went off into roars Of
laughter. Then they had to acquaint
Miley with the occasion Of their mirth.
for he enjoyed a joke as well as the
next one.
Its good one on Rob, by gum!'
cried the storekeeper, joining heartily
in the laughter.
(Which calls fer box O. cigars an
two bottles o Miley's temperance phos-
plate, don't it, IkeY demanded Jim.
That's woteverv' affirmed Ike AN
the same to be charged ter Rob Des-
mond's account?
Exactly"
"Good enough" said Miley. give
dollars is cheap a-plenty fer him to get
off with. l imagine l kin see him agit-
tin madden n ever an ridin' like all
persessed through the snowstorm down
ter his claim chuckled the old man
as he reached for a box of cigars on
the shelf
''Hol' on minute, Miley," said Jim.
"Wot yer say, Ike, ter dispensin' with
them cigars an phosphatizin' this
time an takin' tn amount O. Rob's
treat in the toys an SIGH tricks fer
Christmas presents fer them kids an
putin in five of our own fer some
thin neat fer that leetle wOman?"
1.-THE very idee! By thump! kin re-
member how Noay's ark an tin whis-
ties an SIGH do-funnies ulster stir me
DIP when 7 wus kid back in Jackson
county at Christmas time. Yer plumb
genus, Jim, yer air, by ginger!v'
Meantime Rob Desmond, his mind
filled with righteous wrath against the
unprincipled wretch who had dared
Jump his claim" was nearing his cab
in In his anger snow and cutting
winds were scarcely noticed. Only one
dominating desire possessed his soul
to set eyes on that rascal Of claim
jumper" and order him off his domain
forthwith.
When he reached the persimmon
thicket he hitched his horse and walk
ed theoretically toward his cabin. The
door was partly open, held so by little
Bessie, who was watching the falling
snow. She was alone, the others hav-
ing gone to the dugout stable to see
that the mules were made comfortable |
for the night
The glow from the fireplace revealed, |
to the owners astonished gaze, bright |
eyed little fairy with long golden hair. |
She was swaying back and forth hum |
ming to herself Then she broke out |
"Oh, Sanity, tum right here an make |
our wagon well, an, II you can spare |
'em, just drop some nice Trismus pres |
ents down."
She ceased suddenly as the form of |
a man doomed up before her. She had
been asking for Santa Claus, and there |
was now no doubt in her mind but that
Rob, in his big fur overcoat covered !
with snowflakes, was the great person
age for whom she had been calling
where's your pa, little girl?" asked !
Desmond, entering his own cabin.
Hes gone" answered Bessie, look
ing half shyly at the visitor.
Gone! Where tor
"Gone to heben." said the little girl |
very simply.
"Humph.' muttered Rob to himself.
II didn't know claim jumpers went to
heaven"
SIS you Santa CLAUSE" asked Bessie
abruptly, fixing her gaze, first on the
great buffalo overcOat dotted with