River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1907-05-30

MT. WIllldm 6llKS, dlldS OHnhy
Bill" swarthy of countenance and re-
pellant of face, paused at the corner
aud loked back after the slouching fig
ure OF man in a red sweater. He
knew it was "Hunch" Bugan, and yet
It puzzled him that "Hunch" should be
sober He even forgot for the moment
that he ought to be angry with his
former pal when he remembered the
scene up in Monroe county, where
''FuDch" turned states evidence, and
only escaped Auburn prison by send
ing bis mates there for long terms.
Mr. Bilks had always treasured the re-
membrance in his mind and had sworn
that once free, and wise enough to
keep away from the banks that are
under the protection Of the American
Bankers Protective association and
policed by the Pinkertons, he would
find time to locate 'Hunch" and even
Up the score. But the spectacle of
'Hunch' sober and evidently intent
or business eliminated all thoughts of
vengeance for the moment, and it w s
only IS the sweater threatened to be
lost in turning a corner that Mr. Bilks
remembered and quickly logged the
soft-footed renegade until the chase
ended in tall tenement house.
Livin UP here, eh?" groWled Mr.
Bilks, as he passed the building and
noted the number Its y long time
since ! done that dip but 'Hunch,'
has long mem'ry tank heavensl An
We's goin ter settle dat little account
afore yOuse leave old New York Now
Wot has that bloke under his hat? So
Der? An in de mOrnin'? He must have
fat lay, an | reckon he'll stand fer
q pipe"
saloon on the corner brought forth
the information that "Hunch" had
been hiding up in that vicinity for
several days and incidentally eschew-
ing the strong waters. This settled
Slinky Bills determination, and as he
had no immediate job In sight he en-
gagged a room in a nearby lodging
house and allowed his beard to grow
until he looked like a cross between
an anarchist and a hedge fence. In
this way he came to learn of all the
exits and entrances of his quOndam
pal, and from several trips in his
wake to a certain section of the Long
Island shore, he decided some game
was on, whereby a summer home was
scheduled to wake up and find the
larger portion of its furnishings miss
ing One day 'Hunch" drove out
among the back alleys and kitchen APP
prOaches on meat cart, after toast
ing the driver into an acute state Of
insensibility, and it needed no second
sight to tell Mr. Bilks that the land
was being spied out in the old ap-
proved style.
Once "Hunch's" hunting grounds
had been located Slinky Bill was con-
tent to remain unseen but where he
could observe his enemy's comings
aud goings knowing instinctively the
hour of the killing had not yet arrived
The long, spring-night vigils reminded
Slnky of his youth and his trust in
"Hunch;" Of the time when he thought
il tie correct thing to hunt in pairs
aud have abiding trust in his mate.
The belief Of those days had been des-
troyed by the one act of the erring
one up in Monroe county, and now
Shiny followed the moonlit trails
atone. with no one to call on him for
a share of the loot, with none to play
him dou@ia Ii the memories sad
q led tho old craftsman it in no way
weakened his purpose to have an ac-
cCnGlng with his false comrade. IL
afv,ftb'ng. it intensified his desire, al
Lett, lie had grace to regret that the
henora Die calling in which he was
atenbtrad q bright light should be
,isrupted by private hate He appre-
lted that lunch was playing an
esA'nently legitimate game in warning
l2U.t organized society. yet those four
32s8s in Auburn prison could not be
yi~e,. down for the good Of the order
10 lie watched. and one night he
i>lteg "Hunch' was to make his strike.
No sooner had the traitor left his hid
ing place and made for Long Island
than Slinky Bill was at his heels, win.
ming his sobriquet anew by the silent
~sanner in which he kept pace and
l-sged his quarry.
first "Hunch" entered a summer
house, occupied by a few domestica,
aud after rambling over the structure
at his leisure, reappeared. carrying
something in a small canvas bag that
occasionally gave forth mellow
clink. Then another house was en-
tered and the same fruitful exit was
observed by the lone watcher,
Fer de love of-Say, beau, but
yoJse certainly maxim a real clean up
dis time" muttered Slirky Bill under
his breath, forced to admire the work
manlike way in whick "Huneh" was
covering the circuit.
At last oven 'Hunch" grew weary
Of well doins aud paused undecided
whether to take in the big house with
the gable roof or to go home After
thinking it over under a shade tree
for some minutes he evidently com
promised with himself by stealing
away to a less pretentious section of
the town and hating back of a neat
frame house.
Why, say, gasped Slinky, dis is
jest cigarette an beer money He
cant be down so low as ter tap dat
humble joint"
But "Hunch' evidently possessed