Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-06-26

the crime, he had come down TO learn
the drift of suspicion. Squire Harts-
wick stood by the counter, curled up
like a rattler.
Strengthened up suddenly and put
away his pipe. A nervous stir went
over the group as II 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 have II outright now. I'm going
to talk fair and square, and want you
to. What's this heard down to Rock
Creek about our being mixed up in this
murder? What did you go UP to my
house for Squire7 What's this charge
you've been making? Why did you say
when I came In that you'd hang our
whole tribe II It took every cent Of
your property? Now don't mince mat
ters; let's have It straight" There was
an imperious tone 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 your
boys done this job; proof that's good
and sufficient"
For instance, now?"
You'll have Jest all the chance to
hear II that you want" snapped the
Squire vencmosuly. And ii won't be
long either. amt called on to go over
ii 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 surgeon. His cold
eye bored the man through. You can
do tust-as-you-pleas but i want
to tell you one thing: you are laying
yourself open to mighty serious charg-
o." He rolled the words menacingly.
II know 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
minute and all on your charge. / heard
you say, sir, myself, that you'd hang
our whole tribe IL II took every cent
Of your property. Now give me your
evidence"
The Squire did not finch or squirm.
He eyed the man like a wrestler wait
ing for an opening. He made no an
swer. The wrath In his face was apo
plectic.
You are doubtless aware" Squire
Hartswick," the man went on after a
pause, every word clear and round,
you doubtless know that unless you
can substantiate these charges, you
endanger yourself to a considerable
degree 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. NO" you Al plcdse dCSOLi-
modate me by stating the full charges
against me and my boys" He stopped
with cold precision, and waited the
Squires answer
II shant do anything OF the sort.
You'll be under arrest in jest 80 min
utes and you won't leave this store be-
fore then. Therell be plenty OF time
for charges in the proper place" The
old man was holding himself with diff
ficulty.
That may be; I shall make. no re-
sistance, but let me add one little thing.
For some reason, God knows why,
you've connected me with this wretch
ed murder. I've got no call to defend
myself now before l know the charges
against me, but l don't want needless
trouble either for myself or for any
body else, and to save trouble and
scandal I'll simply say that, II 1t ever
becomes necessary. I can prove beyond
the shadow of a doubt that Tom and
/ were 80 miles from Sugar Valley last
night on business that can make per-
fectly clear"
IT'S a lie,-it's all bluff! You can't
prove IT," The Squire's voice was
pitched unnaturally high.
(ContInued Next Wes<l