The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-03-22

vine $1,000 tnlCk DuHCu VI "hiO"@. ~
meath these, as Nick well Knew, were
hiding two or more desperate men-nen
who would hesitate at nothing we'll
armed and bent on robbery. And these
men be had come to capture, single
handed. to save an enemyl
Nick dismounted and hung his reins
on his saddle horn. Hate TO run you
into danger, old boy" be said. pattlns
the horses neck, but I've got 10 Keep
'em lookin' this way Go home. old TEL
low. Steady, now. !" and the horse walled
OF down the trail. Nick loosened MS
big, juggling spurs. and threw them oy
the roadside. Then he slipped away
down a small rsvine which Joined The
creek Just beyond the clump OF viii
lows.
Half an hour later Mr.. Mortenson
refined In his team near The crossing and
stared In surprise at the sight before
him. Two masked men stood beside
the road, with their hands held hign
above their heads and their eyes fixed
on pair OF huge reviewers, which
cleaned brightly In the moonlight In
the hands OF third man.
mick Bentley" calculated Morten-
con. as his eyes fell upon the latter.
AT yer service, squire" was the cool
reply. Jest step down and fasten the
gents hands. will ye! They're tired OF
holdin' EN- up"
Mortenson did as he was bid.
Nov you better load 'em onto your
blackboard an trot 'em back to town,
% nat I
'em afore you did. Their guns Is under
the trees thar. someers. where they
dropped EN-. You'll find couple OF
their pals hsngin' out at BARRIERS, II ye
20 keerfui an don't skeer EN-"
Mortenson climbed TO his seat and
took up the lines. Mick" said he. in
husky voice. come into willetts' about
two o'clock tomorrow We've got
something to settle with you"
There was plenty OF gossip stirring
in Piainneld the following morning
Squire Mortenson had come near be-
ing robbed and murdered, and Nick
Bentley, a man he had accused OF
"rustliug' had saved him. -Four des-
perste men, whose liberty had been q
menace to the stockmen, had been ar
rested, and this. too was due TO Nick.
Now. rumor said. the delegates to the
local Stockmans union were to meet
the hero OF the hour that afternoon al
Willetts' store. ready TO reward him.
generously. in true western style, In
whatever way he might choose. and
there was much speculation as TO what
he would accept Some thought Re
would take land; others. cattle. and still
others that he would prefer cash re-
ward.
At half-past one the delegates arrived
and elbowed their waythrough the gath
ering crowd In front OF Willetts III
tie later Nick Bentley dismounted from
his powerful gray. and threw his reins
on the ground. and the crowd fell back
respectfully as he stalked into the
store.
Then the president Of the union aros'
and made Q little speech. In which ht
briefly stated the facts and announced
that inasmuch as the union felt undei
deep obligations to Nick. they were &c
sirous Of publicly rewsrding him II
whatever way he saw 1T, and requisite,
him TO name bis choice.
Nick's reply was something OF a sur
prise. well, gents" caid he, 'yoI
might begin by givin' me back wha
you'd no right TO take away--my charac
ter"
1.-THE charge against you shall be with
drawn. Of course said Mortenson
quickly,
THAT amt all, said Nick. ut wa
you fellers that made me what am.
gambler, by your Internal black-listin
an not only me- but others. Thar's Jacl
Mcclure. an Bill Sykes, an TER.
, Sloane, Al hands, all Of EN-, an yo
know Il, workin' round at odd jobs a
starvation wages. because you black
listed 'em, an that fer next to nothir
/, an We know that. too, Take their name
of your black list or don't talk sbou
. reward to me"
! 1t was scathing rebuks and the dele
/ gates WINGED under II, One Of them.
|, Mr.. Kirby. a dapper little man with
= peppery temper, was the first to speal
That" said he, sis aside from III
question, That Is not a matter for a
!, outsider 10 NEEDLE with; the union hs
settled that for itself"
|, Then" said Nick, lest drop the tul
= ject A square deal all round or ain
= in your game"
. murmur arose. a murmur OF approx
. al, for the man who had uttered the III
y selffish sentiment. and Of ,resentmeI
toward the one who could not apprecia
- It. Itrose alike from cowboys and stool
men.
y. Then the president spoke: m
/, Kirby" he said, you do not voice Il
L sentiments Of the union as they star
is today, Gentlemen" raising his vol
p and addressing the crowd. this ms
,e who stands before you. endangered h
A. life to protect one OF our members, al
n to save the funds Of an association tn
70 had ill-used him, When we have &
u fered him a reward he has asked
ic nothing hut justice and that only II
n could be shared by others ] take on n
" hat In the presence OF such a eharaet,
e, and acknowledge that |. for one. ha
learned q much-neeGed and wholesor
,o lesson, Mr.. Bentley. II shall be as y