Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-08-09
Ole 49,. ]
Jew. HORNUrss,
~ <egw Auth Of '.Rafiles
HN ri AD a Ga SA The mate Cracks
AANW &A &AS ~ "Stinsaree
! ~ x * ~
| March. &c: :::: 81 J, $: st.:

:. = - q q 81 sess9ssa2
mentary whin OF unconscious SER re-
spect. 1t was just the little thought
of having a life worth taking once
more, of being anything to anybody
but beaten dog, and 1t came and
went and was forgotten in the same
moment.
The next lie was gazing on curious
scene, and his fears We're also at an
end.
In the light of the campfire four men
were sittil solemnly at whist, and
three faces more innocently intent-for
the fourth was turned the other way
Tom had never seen In his life. On
his left sat a long limbcd STRIPPING
whom the others addressed as Slipper
while they shuftied and cut and crit
icised his play. 1t was clear that Slip |
per was novice, though an anxious
student Of the game. His partner was
a wall eyed man without Il smile. Mel
Their did Tom hear a word from the
one whose black hair and sullen shout. |
ders We're toward him, but opposite
whom, facing Tom, sat the visible life
and soul of the party.
This was little elderly man with
gray tufts upon his bloodless cheeks
and horn spectacles pushed halfway up
a singularly benevolent brow. He sat
tailorwise, like the rest, but played his
cards in way Of his own. He had
] only one hand for the job. His right
arm terminated in Il polished hook
with cork at the end of it, but there
knelt Mt his side gigantic aboriginal,
| who threw down each card as the
| player touched it with the cork. Such
| was the party. AT the FIRST glance Tom
had looked anNiously for the blood
thirsty Italian brigand, but he soon for.
got his existence in the presence of this
innocent group, who We're not even
playing for money.
j Tom heard their horses champing
hard by beyond the freight, set them
down as a party of drovers and step
ped fearlessly among them the instant
the rubber came to all end. The wall
, eyed one Immediately drew a pistol,
while Slipper leaped to his long legs
! with n knife. But the man with the
spectacles ordered them both to put
away their weapons and sit quiet, and
) they both obeyed.
E II saw him some time ago." said he,
= lowering his glasses (as he had done
' once before while Tom was looking
! ON, "and am very much Obliged to
him. He didn't interrupt our rub, as
: more thoughtless person most Ger.
. tainly would have done. He Is well
r bred young man, and like the looks OF
Y him. Do you hear, sir! like the looks
: of you, but what ON eartlls the matter
r with your mouth?'
!. .....-.-- ts11,y
: You're the KIND OF young fellow
like to meet" said he. "a runawa,
d convict, of course!"
t lie question was terribly abrupt, bu1
$ Tom told the truth.
There, there, never mind! cried the
4 little gray man. You're not so sing1l.
e lar i'll that respect as your sensitive
imagination would appear to suggest
In fact, you are not the only one in the
present circle, so you see that you may
mold up your head again and even trust
t us with further particulars. May ask
from whose service you have hed!"
Tom hesitated. If they should carry
him back
You would rather not sayn' exclaim-
ed the little man. Very natural, very
natural; but what if can guess
What II said his name began with
5, and considered that of his home
stead hardly justified by the facts.
save insomuch as every mans dwelling
Is his Castlei"
Toms face convicted him. 1t was
transtisure2 with amazement The
travellers exchanged significant glances
and proceeded to regard him with au
interest obviously redoubled.
How did you know he cried.
Il knew nothing. only guessed"
"But how?'
More convicts abscond from that
particular establishment than from any
other In the colony. Then perceive
that you are suffering from fifty
lashes"-
! "a hundred!"
Indeed? And more conyicts are
logged on that farm than OIL any 9TH
er in the land. A nice place! l know
something about It'll intend knowing
more"
Slipper laughed.
But you mustn't let hundred lash.
es depress you" resumed the little
gray man In his smooth and soothing