Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-07-10

BY Hugh Pendexter
scopyrIght. BY Joseph B. powls..l

knew 1t was "Hunoh' Bugan and yet
it puzzled him that Hunchp 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
"Hunch" turned states evidence, and
only escaped Auburn prison by send
ing his 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
on business eliminated all thoughts of
vengeance for the moment, and it was
only as 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 a tall tenement house.
"Livin' up here, eh?" growled Mr..
Bilks as he passed the building and
noted the number It's a long time
since | done that dip, but Hunch,
has long memry tank heavens, 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
a fat lay, an ! reckon he'll stand fer
pipe"
A casual mingling in Steinheimer's
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 Bits determination, and as he
had no immediate job in sight he en-
gagged room in nearby LODGING
house and allowed his beard to grow
until he looked like a cross between
an anarchist and hedge fence. In
this way he came to learn Of all the
exits and entrances of his uuendan
pal, and from several trips in his
wake, to certain section of the Ions
Island shore, he decided some gains
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 oui
among the back alleys and kitchen APP
proaches on meat cart after toast
ing the driver into an acute state O
insensibility, and it needed no seconc
sight to tell Mr.. Bilks that the lane
was being spied out in the old APP
proved style.
Once "Hunchs' hunting grounds
had been located Slinky Bill was con
tent to remain unseen but where hi
could observe his enemy's coming:
and goings, knowing instinctively the
hour Of the killing had not yet arrived |
The long, spring-night vigils reminded |
Slinky of his youth and his trust il |
"Hunch;" of the time when he thought |
it the correct thing to hunt in pairs |
and have abiding trust in his mate |
The belief of those days had been des
troyed by the one act of the erIins |
one up in Monroe county, and now |
Slinky followed the moonlit trails |
alone, with no one to call ON him fol
a share of the loot. with none to play |
him double. If the memories sad |
dened the old craftsman it in no way
weakened his purpose to have an &C.
counting with his false comrade II |
it Intensified his desire, al
belt, he had grace to regret that the
calling in which he was
bright light should be
disrupted by private hate. He appre-
ciated that ~Hunch" was playing an
eminently legitimate game in warning
npon organized society, yet those four
years in Auburn prison could not be
cried down for the good Of the order
So he watched, and one night he
knew "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
manner in which he kept pace and
logged his quarry.
First "Hunch' entered a summer
house, occupied by few domestics,
Ind after rambling over the structure
1t his leisure, reappeared, carrying i
in a small canvas bag that
gave forth a mellow
link. Then another house was en-
.ered and the same fruitful exit was
observed by the lone watcher.
Fer de love Of Say, beau, but
youse certainly maxim a real clean up
lis time" muttered Slinky Bill under
Ills breath, forced to admire the work
way in which "Hunch' was
covering the circuit.
AT last even aHunch" grew weary
of well doing and paused undecided
to take In the big house with
The gable roof, or to go home. After
it over under d shade tree
Tor some minutes he evidently com
promised with himself by stealing
away to a less pretentious section Of I
The town and hating back Of neat
frame house.
''Why, say gasped Slinky, dis Is
lest cigarette an beer money TIa I