The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-06-24

I every cent of my property to do It."
He brought his fist down IN the u
ter like a pound of pork. The crowd
had gathered densely about the old
man, and no one noticed a new arrival
until he was close upon them.
How'd do?" they heard a CHEEKY
voice. All turned by a common i'm
pulse.
1t was Allen Farthing.
Instantly the same awful hush came
over the room that might have come
had 1t been the dead man himself. or
his ghost. For a moment one could
hear even the breathing of the Did
Squire.
"I've just got nome from Sinking
Springs. Over to Rock Creek they told
me the report was that Karl keichline
nae been murdered" He fumbled de-
liberately in his pocket. drew out a
clay pipe, then leaned over and begged
a match of Ulie. who produced n with
amazing alacrity.
he asked. seeking out an egg crate n
putting as unconcernedly as If his head
was not thrust completely into the
lions mouth.
ominous and deep. like that in the best
room when the mourners sit about the
wall and the clock strikes one.
The full significance of the visit was
growing on the crowd. Allen Farthing
had not visited the store In six months.
Either 1t was an attempt to pull the
wool over the ayes Of the town with a
~stupendous bluff, or it was a case Of
sheer Ignorance: secure in the belief
the crime, he had come down to learn
the drift of suspicion. Squire Harris
wick stood by the counter. curled up
like q RATHER. +,
Now look here, folks" Farthing
Strengthened up suddenly and put
over the group as if the desperate was
about to begin revolver practice on the
lamp chimneys and oil barrels. There's
something wrong here, and we're going
to AVE 1t Outright now. I'm going
to talk fair and square, and I want you
to. What's, this I heard down to Rock
Creek about our being mixed up in this
murder? What did you go UP to my
house for, Squire? What's this charge
you've been making? Why did you say
whole tribe If it took every cent Of
your property? Now don't mince mat
ters; let's have it straight" There was
an imperious ton in the mans voice
that demanded a hearing: The old man
squirmed a little under his sharp gaze.
We've gut proof that you and FOUR
boys done his job; proof that's good
and sufficient"
For instance, now"
you'll have Jest all the chance to
hear it that you want" snapped the
Squire venomosuly. And it won't be
long either, l amt called on to go over
it now
You may do as you please, Squire
HartSwick.' There was a steel ring In
the words; the man was as cool and
self-contained as a surgeon. His cold
bored the man through. You can
do Neutrality-suspicious., but l want
to tell you one thing: you are laying
yourself open to mighty serious charg-
es." He rolled the words menacingly.
II now that you've sent all over this
region charging me and my boys with
the murder Of Karl keichline, and I
know the sheriff is on his way here this
and all on your charge. I heard
you say, sir, myself, that you'd hang
our whole tribe If it took every cent
of your property. Now give me your
evidence"
eyed the man like a wrestler wait
for an opening. He made no an
The wrath in his face was apo
You are doubtless aware" Squire
the man went on after a
pause, every word clear and round.
you doubtless know that unless you
can sub%stantiate these charges. you
yourself to a considerable
A man of influence can't ruin
a poor neighbor in these days by false
charges. That time is in the past.
There is some very stringent and pre-
else law on that point. as you doubt
less know. Now you'll please accom-
modate me by Stating the full charges
against me and my boys" He stopped
with cold precision, and waited the
answer.
IT shan't do anything Of the sort.
You'll be under arrest in Jest 80 min
and you won leave this store be-
then. There'Il be plenty of time
charges in the proper place. The
old man was holding himself with diff
That may be-; I shall max no re-
but let me add one little thing.
some reason, God knows why,
connected me with this wretch-e
cd murder. we got no call tt defend
myself now before I know the charges
against me, but I don't want needless
trouble either for myself or for any
else. and to save trouble n
scandal I'll simply say that, IL it ever
necessary, I can prove beyond
the shadow Of q oub that Tom and
I were 30 miles from Sugar Valley last
night on business that Lean make per-
fectly clear
ITS a lie.-it's all bluff You can't
prove It," The Squire's voice was
pitched unnaturally high.
Continued Next Weekly
M .MA . Soy 1911 EE 49,