The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-05-12

light and now heard only random shots
from a fleeing enemy.
you amt u candidate fer Office .
laughed Fincher. but nearly all men
like TO know they've got friends Ths
chap heer's been standin' up fer you.
He says it makes him mad TO hear
folks talk agin you"
"Oh it's Bakerr exclaimed the e1.
banker. shaking hands with Pole ard
beaming on him. We'll. don't Know
man I'd rather have for friend. ~
he said smoothly,
r-ole tossed his mead and locked
straight into the speakers eye I'm
fer human justice. Mr. Craig" he said
ian | don't think folks has treated you
right. What man is thar that don't
now an then make mistakes. sra
You've always had means. an never
was anything but pore mountain 10Y.
but I've always looked on you am
good man, law abidin' man. an
don't like to heer folks try to blame
| you fer what another man done. When
you had plenty. | never come nigh you,
| beca'se | knowed you belonged to one
life an me another. but now you Pre-
fat O. yore back. sir. I'm yore friend"
Craig's face beamed He pulled Sis
beard; his eyes danced
I'm glad there are men in the world
like you. Baker" he said. 81 say I'm
glad, and mean It,"
Fincher had begun to look over the
figures in his book and walked to the
front.
"Oh, my friendship amt wuth moth.
In" said Pole Il know that. never
was In the shape to hep nobody. but
know when a mans treated right or
wrong"
'WeIl. If you ever need assistance
and | can help you, don't fail to call
on me-" Craig spoke with tone Of
sincerity.
Pole took deep breath and lowered
his voice. glanclng cautiously into the
house. as If fearful of being overheard.
We'll. | do need advice. Mr.. Craig"
he said-"not money nor nothin' ex-
pensive. But I've laid awake night
after night wIshin' at l could run on
some man of experience that l could
ak fer advice an that could trust
Mr.. Craig. I'll be blamed eff l don't
feel like tellin' you some'n' that never
has passed my lips"
Craig stared In interested astonish-
ment We'll. you can trust me- Ba-
ker." he said. land. II can advise you,
why. I'll do it with pleasure"
There was a cotton compress near
by. with its vast sheds and platforms,
and Pole looked at 1t steadily. He
thrust his hand into his pants pocket
and kept it there for a full minute;
then he shook his head. drew out his
hand and said: Il reckon won't both
er you today. Mr.. Craig. Some day
I'll come in town an tell you. but
Pole looked mt the sun. II reckon ia
better be goin'"
Hold on!' Craig caught Pole's.arm.
The ex-banker was a natural man.
Despite his recent troubles he had his
share of curiosity. and Poles manner
and words had aroused it to unwonted
activity. Hold on he said. whats
your hurry? I've got time to spare if
you have"
Pole hung his head for moment in
silence; then he looked the old man in
he face. MIR. Craig" he began in even
/ lower voice do you reckon thar's
my gold in them mountains| Pole
nodded to the blue wave in the east.
Craig was standing near a bale Of
,otton. and he sat down on It. first part
ny the tails of his long. black coat.
II don't know: there might be-" be
aid. deeply interested and yet trying
o appear Indifferent There is plenty
# it in the same range farther dawn
bout Dalonega."
Pole had his hand in the right pocket
# his rough jean trousers.
rs thar an.body in this town that
ould tell piece O. gold eff they seed
Il" he asked
"Oh. good many. | reckon" said
Sraig n steely beam of excitement in
lis unsteady eye. Il can myself.
pent two .-cars In the gold mines Of
'alfDrl!ia WHEN was Il young man.
You don't say. | never knowed
hat" Toe had really heard of that
act. but his face was straight. He had
" tuIOM lHtO IL IlpSl WIZ n
erful blending of fear and oyercau-
ousness.
oh. yes: I've had good deal of ex-
crience in such thugs"
You don't say Pole was looking
1ward the compress again.
Craig laughed out suddenly and put
is hand Gil Poles shoulder with
riendly. downward stroke.
"You can trust me. Baker" he said
and it may be that
ould be of assistance to you.'
There was something like an actual
,emor of agitation in Poles rough
and as he drew his little nugget from
IS resting place at the bottom of his
ocket. With deep, indrawn breath
e handed it to Craig. ''Is that thar lit
e lump gold or notf' he asked.
Craig started visibly as his eyes fell
n the piece of gold. But he took it
differently and examined it closely.
Where did you run across that" he
sked.