The Green Forest tribune., 1907-05-31


 MT. William Bilks, alias "Slinky Bill" swarthy of countenance and re- pellant of face, paused at the corner and loked back after the slouching fig ure of a man in 2, 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 ''Hunch' turned states evidence, and only escaped Auburn prison by send ing his mates there for long terms. Mir 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 corner that Mr. Bilks remembered and quickly dogged the soft-footed renegade until the chase ended in tall tenement house.
 ''Livin' up here, eh?" growled Mir Bilks, as he passed the building and noted the number. Its long time since 1 done that dip, but 'Hunch,' I has a long mem'ry tank heavens. An wes 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 I 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 Bills determination, and as he had no immediate job in sight he en- l gagged room in nearby lodging house and allowed his beard to grow
 
 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 certain section of the Long | island shore, he decided some game was on, whereby summer home was l scheduled to wake up and find the 1nr ing. One day "Hunch" drove out among the back alleys and kitchen ap- breaches on meat cart, after toast ing the driver into an acute state of | insensibility, and it needed no second sight to tell MT. 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 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 in ''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 erring one up in Monroe county, and now Slinky followed the moonlit trails alone, with no one to call on him for share of the loot, with none to play him double. If the memories sad dened the old cracksman it in no way weakened his purpose to have an ac- counting with his false comrade. If anything, it intensified his desire, al belt, he had grace to regret that the honorable calling in which he was numbered bright light should be disrupted by private hate. He appre- ciated that "Hunch" was playing an emiuently legitimate game in warning upon 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 | Illdu OllHhy Dlll WdS at HIS ueelS, WlU- ming his sobriquet anew by the silent manner in which he kept pace and dOgged his quarry.
 First "Hunch" entered summer house, occupied by few domestics, and after rambling over the structure at his leisure, reappeared, carrying something in 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 youse certainly maxim real clean up dis time." muttered Slinky Bill under his breath, forced to admire the work manlike way in which "Hunch" was covering the circuit.
 At last even "Hunch" grew weary of well doing and paused undecided whether to take in the big house with the gable roof, or to go home. After thinking it over under shade tree for some minutes he evidently com | promised with himself by stealing away to a less pretentious section of the town and halting back of a neat | frame house.
 Why, say" gasped Slinky, dis is ci fn oy,' Io