Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-11-05
By JOSEPH G. LINCOLN


But now you're doin' bus ness with me,
and | amt sick. If you open your
mouth to anybOdyif You let Il soul
know who set that tre--l'n walk
straight to jedge Baker and I'll tell
him the whole story. I'll tell him what
| did and why did it, And then III
tell him what you did-how YOU bullied
money out of that girl that hadn't no
more to do with the fire than baby.
II it comes to facin' a jury I'll take
my chances but bow bout you: You.
runnin a town nuisance that the s'lect-
men are talkin' of stOppin' already;
sellin' rum by the drink when your IL
cense says it shan't he sold 'eept by
til" bottle. Where'll Your character
land YOU on charge Of blackmail?
And another thing: The folks in
this town knew John Baxter afOre he
was like what he's been lately 4
good many Of 'em swore by himyes
slr, by mighty, some of 'em loved him!
This is a law abidin town. but s'pose--
fellers that used to sail with him and
tell 'en what you've been up to. Think
you'd stay here long: ! think you'd
| move Olit--On Il rail
Captain Fri paused and sat on the
arm of his chair, grimly watching his
opponent. whose turn for thinking had
come. The face of the billiard mag
nate was an interesting study in ex-
pression during the captains speech.
From excited trunph it had fallen to
fer and detection, and now, out OF
the wreck, was appearing once more
IL" oily smile, the sugared sweetness
of the everyday Mr. Saunders.
NON, Cap Il ledge purred the re
constructed one. you and me has al
ways been good friends. We hadn't t
ought 10 fight like this. | don't think
either of us wants to go to court. Let S
see if we can't fix the thing UP some
Way"
We'll fix t UP when you pay me the
$40.
Nov, Cap'n Hedge, '1ain't likely
I've got SO in my pocket. Seems to
me Noa're pretty hard on poor fellow
ihats just been burnt out. think
Wed ought to-
"iiow much have you got:'
After good deal of talk and prot
estation Mr.. Saunders acknowledged
besn. the pOssesSOr of $96, divided be-
tween the cash drawer and his pocket.
This he reluctantly handed TO the cap
tain.
Then tAe captain demanded pen. ink
al nd haV
brought he laboriously wrote out "A
screed to the effect that Webster
Saunders had received Of Elsie Preston
S4t. which SUM he promised to pay on
demand.
"There," he said, pushing the writ
ing materials ACROSS the table. Sign
that
At first Mr.. Saunders positively re-
fused to sign Then he intimated that
he had rather wait and think it over "A
little While. Finally he affixed his sig
nature and sptefuly threw the Pen
across the room.
Captain Fri folded up the paper and
put it in his pocket. Then he rose and
put on his pea jacket.
Nov. there's jest one thing more" )"
he said "'.rot out that coat and hat"
~, hat do you mean?'
"Trot out that coat and hat of Johns
want en-
Il shan't do IT,
All right. then. It's all off. I'll
step over and see the jedge. You'll
hear from him and me later"
Hold on Il minute. cap'n. You're
in such everlastin' hurry. don't
| care anything bout the old duds, but
| don't knows l know where they are.
Seems to me they're up to the house
Somewheres. III give 'em to you to-
| morrer'
You'll give 'em to me right now.
I'll tend shop While you go after EN-"
For a moment it looked as though
the man of business would rebel out
| right. But the captain was so calm
and evidently SO determined to do eX-
actly what he promised that Web gave
up in despair. Muttering that maybe
they We're round the place after ALL
he went into the back room and reap
peared with the burned coat and the
scorched white felt hat. Slammin:
suikily: There they be. Any more of
my prop'ty you'd like TO have:'
Captain Fri didn't answer. Coolly
tenrin}s off several sheets Of wrapping
paner from the roll It the back of l'2H
counter. he made Il bundle of the ha
and coat ava tu''kod it untier his an.
Then he pat on his owi! hit and star,-
ed for tHo tioOr
Good mornin'." he said.
III" Temper, ef the eNasncratod Nr
Saunders dared up in !; fli ol, ,N"'
You think y4H,l@ ,,,tl;:ss Y ".'
dent YOU" he "sow.le b;.;%vc"a
toctil I'll sqrnTe up W..h You
al! by
! The captain t. Hel sharpl,,. lis h
on the .;,''s.
4 v:::;n va he 80 y
WI! - o. - y" -
morr',i 4 ,,..eli g.
! NJ lor@ r -. 4>.s4t u ~'..-