The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-08-02

honest Ben Coop to himself. 81 was right
TO have picked him out from the rest
Whatever brought. him to this, he's not Fl,
20 be wasting his life out in a prison
yard, that's pretty sure !"
And then Ben awoke to the gravity oil
the situation. He looked about him foi
the lad that generally helped him; but al
the first sound of the struggle this boy
had disappeared. There was no one but
himself and the convict to give aid to
the two warders till the train arrived.
1t took him very little time to drag
the warder from the ground to the bench
and the other man sat and looked ct him
as he moistened the lips and the brows of
the injured man. The prisoner recovered
his strength and his calmness. He swal-
owed mouthful or two of food that had
been given to him, not because he cared
in the least to eat it, but because he had
been touched by the kindness shown him.
and it was a natural instinct with him TO
return courtesy for courtesy. After few
minutes Ben turned to him again.
He is come to- he said; ''but / don't
think he will be fit for much this day or
two. 1t was pretty quick work, and I
am sorry for tnis bit of land, with ali
those scoundrels loose upon it,
Where will they go?" asked the con-
vict, in low voice.
His eyes wandered around the land
scape, that lay so placid and beautiful in
the sunshine.
II expect" Ben said, thoughtfully, "this
was put-up thing. There must have
been one of them as knows their ways
about here. The town, as they call it, lies
a good three miles away: but they will
mike their way to it. You didn't 60 with
them" Ben said, suddenly. "Whyg'
The faintest of faint smiles passed over
the face of the convict.
"My path is not with Them" he said.
Besides he added, with terrible bitter
ness, II am content to be what am, to
stay where l am. Freedom is dead
void to me-"
"Ay, man." exclaimed Ben Coop, not
without emotion, 'but that is terrible
thing TO say"
lie felt his heart moved more and more
Ly this strange man. AS the time drew
n,ar for the train to approach Ben went
up to the prisoner and stretched out his
hand.
Il feel all the better for having known
you," he said. Il hope some day I'll see
you in different straits to this. If ever
you need friend, lad, make your way
ae,e; there will always be bite and sup
for you wherever Ben Coop is"
For an instant great change passed
over the face of the convict; the cold de-
spair dropped from it; the eyes seemed
10 shine and the lips to smile.
Thank you, friend" he said. "And
Col bless you! 1t does me good to hear
you speak. for I believe you come from
The same part nf the old country as do"
Il am Lancashire, sir Ben hurried to
say. Il was pit lad, working since
can remember in the mines Of the Mill
Cross estate"
,rbe light all went out of the other
mans eyes, and the lips grew cold and
white. He paused a moment, ard then he
spoke, deliberately and most bitterly.
There is name struck out of the an
nails Of the Mill Cross family; there is
,ne missing who is not mourned, one who
~ VCau Ii hVuufs tuOuSu uFiu8 stliI. III
,yer you go back to the old country, ask
hem to tell you the story Of that lost
nan, Ben Coop. and when you hear it
hink of me-"
The train whizzed up to the little plat
orm; the young warder ranged himself
reside his prisoner. In an instant there
vas { group of car men clustered around
Tim listening TO what had happened
Ben was called upon to give his testi-
nony, and half dozen hands we're put
Onward to carry the wounded warden to
i berth in the train.
There was no more time or opportu-
lity for Ben Coop to snatch word with
lis fellow countryman. He watched the
prisoner pushed into kind of van, and
leard the bolt of the lock with cold
eusation at his heart.
He performed his usual duties In
ar-off, dazed manner; and then the train
rqeed slowly out of the station, and Ben
vas left alone, with only the memory of
ha: pale, sorrowful face to remain with
i'm.