The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-02-06
tContinue1 from last week
CHAPTER v.
The Coming Of Uncle Billy.

was turned backward and hung high
above the ground. Yet one forgot to
be sorry for the cripple, so quick was
he, so shining with good nature. Every
one called him boy" though he
was 20.
Hello. AL! What's yo' hurry?"
asked a b%ystander. you can do mo-
with a stick an a foot than most folks
with two good laigs."
Jaw, spare my bushes, Mr.. Ben
nett! Say. is the old man In the
hotel?v
"Yes. Can't yo' let him swalleh his
dinneh In peace? He don't need but
five minutes; an 1t Amt often he gifts
a lick at Sally BIS chicken fixin's. He
wouldn't to-day If that thar ornery
train want two hours late"
Well, this dispatch II help his d.
gestion."
Thought yo' all want lowed to
read the yalleh lightnin'."
Il didn't read it. And-I amt giving
1t away. Sabe?"
The boy barely halted and was at
the dining oom door when Gregory
came out.
What's the racket. Al?" he said. "A
message for me?" He spoke a little
thickly. his mouth full of a fast dis
appearing apple.
The message was brief; and his
comment was an explosion of oaths.
Yet the boy grinned. 1t was glad pro-
family.
d you know what's in this, Al?"
Yes. sir; / couldn't help It."
"How's that?"
I've learned the telegraph since
I've been messenger"
THE dickens you say! What's your
speed?"
Il get most Of the press dispatches,
sir"
How about sending?"
Not so good, sir; but I'll soon catch
up if" He stopped abruptly.
III whatr'
I'D rather not say, sir
ION account of the OPERATOR"
Hes an O. X. friend to me, sir
HIM" The superintendent mounted
and was in full gallop toward the sta
ton before he was quite seated. II
shan't forget you, boy he called back
over his shoulder.
Jake Bennett and Alvin Carter
walked to the station together. They
arrived at the station just as the train
pulled in.
The first passenger through the car
door was Uncle Billy.
why. durn my eyes! What re yo'
all dom hyah, Bill Dodge?" asked Ben
nett as Uncle Billy stepped to the
platform.
The two shook hands, but Bennett
turned away with a hurried word and
disappeared within the station.
Uncle Billy gazed blankly toward
the Office, his face clouding with a dis
appointment that did not lift while he
attended to his scant baggage.
The superintendent came out short
ly, giving hasty orders to Bennett as
the two walked toward the big roan
known as the Boss Lightning
Striker" They passed Uncle Billy;
but Benefits face was a mask till the
roam clattered out Of sight, when he
turned back, another soul looking
from his eyes.
How air yo' pegs TO- walkin', you
ole bronco b~uster?" Bennett questioned
in a hearty voice, slapping his heavy
hand on Uncle Billy's shoulder.
They set of briskly and in single
file up the steep cutoff that made in
one mile the elevation OF five miles of
grading.
What kin l do for yo' all, you rotary
eyed ole coon?" Bennett asked with
another bear cuff as they came
abreast.
Il want a job on Charley crockeh's
Dutch Flat stage line. Can I get it?"
you bet yo' bottom doliah! They
need men like you. Just chuck yo'
application to Crockeh, and--no. Go
right to Spalding; he's boss of the
company's new stage line. But what's
yo' all's crouch agin the old MANI"
Haven't any in particular. There's
q little gal oveh hyah, Bill Antheny's
daughter
Shore. We tuck her in fur yo'
sake: KEEP her TO- her own. The ole
woman's dead stuck on her; wanted
her to stay right along. but she
wouldn't"
That's her. all right. You remem-
Der Bill Anthony"
Reckon l do. He's that gold-plated
ole cuss mat built . sort O suburb to
the Golden City over thar in Washoe,
amt her.
Same. But the Injuns got him; an
the girl has no relations that she
knows OF; so / sent her oveh hyah TO
you. : want to be neah her. and
Benefits nudge sent Uncle Billy or
the trail. you ole Mormon. Amt
thinkin' O. marryin' her yo'self. arc
YET"
Wen, by jiminys I'm not that kind
Of z sardine. she's IL. maybe. and I'm
sauiEtinx at nav nftieth birthday. II