The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-29
A GREWSOME
THANKSGIVING
GOriginal.]

blazing open FIRE sat the landlord smok-
ing his pipe and taking a pull OCCASION
ally from black bottle that stood on
the table beside him. A cold wind
blew an equally cold rain against the
window panes and roared in the chin
ney. There were sounds of some one
without knocking the mud from his
boots, and man entered.
"a bad night, Rill," said the landlord.
81 don't see why the parsons don't
choose better season for Thanksgiv-
in. If they must thank the Lord for
what they don't git they might as well
do so when at least the weather's like
ly to be sucn IS to be thankful for"
Just such a night as this a year
ago. Remem5er?' Bill replied, looking
at the landlord with a singular express
sion. The landlord made no reply.
Say, Bill he said presently, taking
his pipe from his mouth, there's gen.
tleman come about an hour ago that
looks for all the world like the one we
done year ago tonight. He come be-
twiXt daylight and dark and KEEP his
coat collar up and his hat down over
his eyes, SO 1 couldn't see, but there
ed me Of the other'
"Well, the other left us somethin' to
be thankful for, and perhaps this one
has been sent by the Lord to do the
same" And Bill, who had seated him
self on the other side Of the table,
helped himself to a stiff glass Of grog.
II showed him the nor'east room,"
the landlord went on, "but he turned
and started into the nor'west room just
as if he'd been there before and know
ed all about it."
Bill looked up quickly at the land
lord. he didn't say anything 1t was
not necessary. 1t was in the north
west room that the stranger had been
murdered. The two men sat, now and
again helping themselves to the con-
tents of the bottle. Each knew the
thoughts Of the other. Their funds
were low, and it was necessary to re-
plenish them. But they didn't like the
only way for doing so that suggested
itself 90 them. Besides, the resem-
blance Of the man upstairs to the one
from <yhom they had secured a fine
haul year agone and his passing so
Familiarity into his predecessors room
made the work all the more obnoxious
to them. The rum they drank did not
make them drunk. They were below
par, and it gave them the necessary
stiffenirg.
singular" said Bill presently, "that
year ego tonight there was only one
traveller in the house and only one to-
night"
"It goes to show that the Lord takes
care Of US. Some think only good peo-
pie git any luck. l reckon we've got
as much to be thankful for on this
Thanksgivin' night as If we had wings
CROWN out of our shoulders"
There was a pause, during which
similar picture came up before the
memory Of each-a picture Of a happy
and innocent group gathered around
the fireside after the Thanksgiving din
ner. There were the old father, proud
of his boys and girls; the mother solicit
tous for her children's future, all con-
stitutng loving united family. Sure
ly there had been great changes since
then. The landlord went to the fire
and sat, bent over it. peering at the
live Goals to which it was now reduced.
Bill sat with his hat drawn down over
his eyes, apparently asleep.
Suddenly a wheezy clock struck the
hour Of IL. Bill slowly raised himself.
"Well, what d'you think?' he asked.
81 amt up to job tonight"
Neither am I. But I've got to have
money"
1--WE didn't git SO much out Of the job
we done year ago."
1--WE got five hundred for the dia-
mond."
The last reminder stiffened the reso-
luton Of the landlord, and they began
to make preparations for sending the
gentleman where he wouldn't need his
belongings. The landlord went out and
returned with his pistols, but Bill pro-
tested that he didn't like noisy weap-
ons
That's fright" said the landlord.
''There isn't house within a mile"
Eyes, but supposin' some I'm happen
ed to be walkin' by and heard shot.
What would become Of US in case the
stranger should be traced here? Bet
ter do him as we done the other"
Bill took off his boOts-the landlord
was already in slippers-and, going to
the staircase, they silently crept up to
the floor above. The door to the trav-
eler's bedroom was ajar, as If inviting
them to enter. A kerosene lamp was
fixed in the hall, throwing some light
into the room. Bill tiptoed to the open
ing and looked in. Then he returned to
his companion and said:
Hes awful still. can usually hear
any man breathe when he's asleep, but
can't hear him."
I'm sick Of the business before it's
begun" replied the other.
ooh, git some sand into you. Come
onw
Each, drawing a long knife, crept in
to the room. In passing through the
door they left it wide open, and there
was light enough to see the stranger
stretched on the bed. Suddenly both
started back and looked into each 9TH