The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-07-08


her hands, and with d towel knotted
about her head, appeared at the door.
She took a startled step backward
when She saw the crowd.
Why, what's the natter" she
gasped. Whats ~happened?" She put
her hand up TO shade her eyes, and
examined the scene with bewilderment.
"Is Mr.. Farthing at homer" The
sheriff stepped forward with business
swing.
They're up in the Gap peeling bark, :"
she answered. But what are you all
here for? What is Il? What's hap
pened2"
1--WE suspect that your folks had
something to do with that break last
night, and 1t is our duty to search your
premises"
Break? why, what do you mean?''
She took q step nearer the sheriff
looked UP at him appealingly.
my store was broken into last night
and robbed, and we've got proof that
your people were the ones that done
IT, broke I'm the squire brutally.
"Why-whS, our people break into q
store? %
That's what I said. Now to bust
ness. We've got a warrant to search
your premises, and we're going to do
1t. Come on, Sheriff"
EE-#N III y IN 6AA1 ooka ADA
"You are welcome to go anywhere you
wish and search
Here, johnson and Carpenter, come
in here with u.s. ordered the sheriff
au~thoritatively. Squire. I shall want
you. The rest OF You stay where you
are The four followed Mrs. Farthing
into the house. In half an hour they
appeared at the door.
Nothing In the house" announced
the Squire, briskly. w are going to
try the barn now" For 10 minutes
more there was no movement. Then
johnson and Carpenter came out at a
sido door.
1t was evident from their looks that
something had happened.
what is it," called several in!
chorus.
Nothing; only we've found the kit,
We've got the whole layout" They
did not wait for further explanations
put pressed toward the barn with a,
rush. Several entered. and the others
crowded the door.
Keep out of here!'' yelled the sheriff.
They fell back, but immediately
crowded forward again. After a mol
Ynent they were In the middle OF the
barn floor. The squire and the sheriff
were In ono r From under a
by one various articles. A pair OF rub-.
Der boots, q suit of clothes, q blanket,i
and a number OF, cans of salmon lay in,
a heap beside them. {.
"Only eleven here announced the
squire coolly as IL he were taking ac-.
breakfast. All. see here!" He was
blowing the chaff from a large, thin
book. That's my stamp book; stamps
still in IL. Here, Sheriff, count EN-:
there ought to be 81 worth in ones and,
twos.' I
The sheriff took the book and ran
over the number of stamps between
the pages. There were $7.20 worth. The
squire was still fumbling I'm the hay. A
sharp exclamation turned ell eyes in,
his direction.
Good God! see here!'' His voice.
fairly broke in its excitement. That's
Karl Keichline's stamp book, took the,
night he was murdered. Here, Sheriff.
look at 1t for Gods sake" J
'rBy mighty, you're right cried the.
sheriff, e~xcitedly. That's II. Look.
here: Report OF the Secretary Of Ag-'
riculture, 1885, See, the covers loose
and there's the blot on the front.
Stamps all gone Yes-suh, that's the
very book" He continued to handlel
1t In a dazed sort OF way. There was
an absolute hush about him In the
barn. They stood gaping at the book,
and no one breathed.
ANY of you remember what I said?'
spoke UP the Squire at length, with the,
tone Of the man who says II told yeh,
so" after the event. He had arisens
and he g~esticulated heavily as he talk,
ed. .sThem Paintings can't bulldoze,
and bluff me. / knew all h time Jim
Farthing killed Karl: ! knew Ii as well,
as I knew / was alive and breathing
And you thought the old mar was mis-,
taken, did yeh? Where's Amosg
Helgh7" There was a rAsping sneer I'M
the searching party; he was at home
and at work.
"I don't seem To see him. do you?
Wal, sub, all ! can say Is that you folks,
are I'm luck, the biggest kind of luck,
and all because / didn't lose my head,
and be blurred out of what / knew. /,
tell yeh q den OF murderers in your
back yard amt safe. We've found
ferent breaks. and there's more under
there. You can all thank our lucky
4 stars you're alive, that's all. Poor
| Kar1-he knocked him over jest like a!
chicken" He made q dash at his
eyes with his coat sleeve.
A wave of indignation was gathering
in the crowd sinister and deep. They
had been angry when they started
from the store, and the sight OF the
stamp book Infatuated them. The low
murmurs grew in a moment to angry
| de~nunciation, then quickly into cries
of hate and vengeance. They a not
the slightest doubt that they stood in
the retreat Of the veritable murderers.
Fear, self protection, apprehension of
they knew not what mingled with their
| feelings for Karl to lash them to mad
ness. Little knots gathered here and
there arguing excitedly. Then all at
once a single voice raised the wolf
| cry and they were beyond reason,
Lynch 'em!"
(ContiRued Nexe Week.l
NC EIRer pnnk