Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-11-11

'HOWDY, BARNESi LIGHT AND COME
ROUND HEAH
dew TO close. but Ingalls, came from
the ST. Jean country. another town
shin. and the Barraclaw held him In
suspicion AS an outsider. Jack Robin
son. born and bred on the waters OF
Lone Wolf, had also shied his castor
into the ring, but the Barraclaw Is
noted for Its long memory In regard to
small things, and there was certain
little transaction concerning some cat
tie belonging to Jake Alders that had
accidentally got In the way OF Robin
sons branding iron, and said transac-
tion had never been satisfactorily ex-
planned. Last. there was Barnes Ell
don. The Barraclaw was inclined TO
favor him, barring his youth. At the
speaking down AT the station Eldon
had held his own and better against
tie two older men. but promises were
avoided during the absence Of the old
king Of the Barraciaw. Squire johnson
Baxter. whose voice dominated the po-
!ilcal powwows.
squire returned. Ingalls, and Robin
son lost no time In seeking an audi
ence and in their haste arrived on the
ground at the same hour. The squire
made them welcome. but of the pollti.
cal situation he said not word. and
each. held by the presence Of the other,
dared not question the old man as to
his intentions.
Eldon held aloof purposely until the
others had made their visit; then he,
too, sought the squire. When he rode
up the old man and his dogs were sun
ming themselves Oh the sheltered side
Of the long gallery that ran entirely
around the house. The dogs made a
rush for him. and the old man opened
t!s eyes as they gave tongue: "Howdy.
Barnes? Light and come round heah,
boy. Seems to me you've been a-tak-
in your time easy a-fndin' out II l
wns alvin at the same place. Jim
Ingalls, aud Jack Robinson was that
uneasy over my state Of health they
both been to spend the day"
What's the uews!' he demanded.
Nothing much, except that Jim In
gals has things coming all his way
down in the st. Jean. and | hear Opt
lika il going for him by big ma
jority. Squire. it's going to be stlff
fight. and I'm counting gu you-count-
ing big
SOS ingalls,. an understand Jack
Robinson is goin' rouno a-claimin' kin
with me this winter
Eldon squared around. But. squire.
here's the thing In n nutshell-lngalls
is all right They swear by him down
in the St. Jean country. and II you
say he's Il better man to represent the
Barraclaw than | am all right; but.
squire, when 1t comes to sending up a
man like Jack Robinson well, I'm
trusting you won't turn my fathers
son down for that cow rustler.'
Squire Baxter put both hands on his
knees and leaned forward. his keen
gray eyes twinkling behind the glasses.
"Son. some folks gets mighty mixed
on what the Lord Almighty intended
them to do. p stands for politics. and
again it stands for plow. Sure you've
got the right readin' Of it. Barnes?
Edon threw back his head and
laughed. whether I've got the right
reading or the wrong one III say this
much-St. Jean can't be allowed to
distance the Barraclaw. Squire. II
you won't back me. then you'll have to
make your arrangements TO 20 back to
Little Rock yourself. mean WHAT
say. Now you can take your choice"
The squire stared open mouthed