Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-03-26

CHAPTER XII.

In the days following the STAY
ing Of "Ole Man. Tsrrill uav-
IL ing learned that Slim and his
posse had discovered only the fact
that the murderer had ridden pacing
horse to the ford, Mckee took full ad-
vantage Of this fact. In the COW
camps, the barrooms and ut the rail-
road station he limited at first that
certain person every one knew could
tell a lot more about the death Of the
old man than he cared to have known
After few days he began to bring
the name of Paysop into the conversa-
ton. His gossip became rumor and
then common report. When 1t became
known that Jack had paid Off the
mortgage on his ranch Buck came out
with the accusation that Payson was
the murderer. Finding that he was
listened to, Buck made the direct
charge that Payson had killed the sta
ton agent and with the proceeds Of
the robbery was paying off his old
debts.
Gathering his own, men about him
and being joined by the idle hangers
on who are to be found about every
town, Buck led his party to the ranch
OH the Sweetwater to accuse Jack and
so throw off In advance any suspicious
which might attach to himself
Fortunately Slim happened to be at
Jacks ranch at the time. When he
entered the corral he found Jacks 5ac-
cusers and defenders rapidly nearing
battle.
Jack was taking the charges coolly
enough, as he did not know what sup
port Mckee had manufactured to up
hold the charges he made. Slim in
| formed Mckee he would listen to what
lie had to say and II afterward he
thought Jack guilty he would place
him under arrest; for all concerned
1t would be better to 60 into the house.
The Sweetwater boys surrounded Jack
as they followed Slim into the living
room. Lining up in opposing groups,
Slim stood in the center to serve as
judge and jury, with Buck and Jack
at his right and left hand.
Inside the door Jack said: Keep as
quiet as you can. boys. don't want
to alarm my wife. Now, what Is 1t 2"
The punchers hushed their discus
sion of the charge and listened atten-
lively to what the men most interest
ed had to say.
"Well, darn it ALL" apologized the
sheriff to Jack, ''it's all darn fool bust
ness anyway. Buck here, he started
it."
Jack smiled sarcastically and, glanc-
ing at Mckee, remarked, Buck Nc
KEGS started good many things In
his day
Buck began to buster. He could not
face Jack fairly. Already placed on
the defense when he had considered
he would be the accuser, Mckee took
refuge in the plea of being wronged
by false suspicion.
II hain't goin'," he whined, ito have
folks suspicion me Nv any such doin's
as the KILN Nv ole Man Terrill !
got witness to prove l wuzn't in
twenty miles Nv the place."
who's your witness?" asked Slim
in his most judicial tones.
|
the weddin' together from the Lazy
X, an wuz put out as not fittin' to
be there, an by that very man there
that did the killin'."
The punchers had to grin In spite of
the seriousness Of the occasion. Buck
appeared to be deeply hurt at the un-
ceremonious way he had been left out
at the feast
what makes you point to me as the
MANI" asked Jack quietly.
You wuz late gettin' to yer OWL
weddin'."
Fresno could not repress his feelings
any longer. He started angrily to-
ward Mckee, but Jack and Sagebrush
4 held him back. The others were about
to follow his lead when Slim motioned
them back with the caution. Keep Out
Of this, boysW
II was late" explained Jack, 'but ]
told you / rode, around to the station
to get wedding present ordered TO,
my wife
Jim interrupted him to substantiate
the statement. Pointing to desk. be
said: That's so. There 1t is. too-that
there desk"
The Sweetwater outfit nodded in &C
quiescence. but the others looked In
credulous
Buck sneered at the defense which
Jack made. Nobody saw you over
that way, did they?"
II saw Terrill. It must have been
just before he was Killed. didn't
meet anybody else" Jack showed nc
trace Of temper under the inquisition.
"Of course you saw him before he
wuz killed-about minute Mebbe
you didn't plug him the next minute
With 44?'
The charge reused Sagebrush's fight.
ing blood. Drawing his gun, he at.
tempted to get fair shot at the &C.
cuser. Fresno and Show Low grabbed
him by the arms. holding him back
The foreman shouted. "There'll be
some one plugged right now II you
all make another break like thatm
Slim waved his hands over his head
driving the men backward. as If he
were shooting away a flock Of. chick.
/ ems.
i EASY. now-easy." he drawled
"rhere amt a-goin' to be nothin' dom
here 'cept law an Justice"
Buck laughed sneeringly at the
wavering Of his men. He would have
to do something to put more heart
into them and regain the ground be
had lost by his single handed conduc,
| Of the case.
"There hain't. eh?" he asked con
temptuously. well, it's lucky
brought some nv nv own outf3t NTH