Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-01

ing Of "Ole Man" Terrill. Hav'
II ing learned that Slim and his
posse had discovered only the fact
that the murderer had ridden II pacing
horse to the ford, Mckee took full ad-
vantage Of this fact. In the COW
camps, the barrooms and at the rail-
road station he limited at first that a
certain person every one knew could
tell q lot more about the death Of the
old man than he cared to have known.
After few days he began to bring
tie name Of Payson into the conversa-
ton. His gossip became rumor and
then common report. When 1t became
known that Jack had paid of 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
tiorr 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
50 throw off IN advance any suspicious
which might attach to himself.
Fortunately Slim happened to be ut
Jacks ranch ut the time. When he
entered the corral he found jacks ac-
cusers and defenders rapidly nearing
q battle.
Jack was taking the charges coolly
enough, Us 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
he had to say and il afterward he
thought Jack guilty he would place
him under arrest; for all concerned
It would be better to go 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 10 serve rs
JoAs, WAN A'uN" ''' "'>N'-
ut his right and left hand.
Inside the door Jack said: keep as
quiet as you can, boys. l don't want
to alarm my wife. Now, what is it,"
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, its all darn fool busi-
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.
81 hain't goin'." he whlned, Ito have
folks suspicion me Nv any such doin's
as the killin' Nv ole Man Terrill. l
got u witness to prove wuzn't In
twenty miles Nv the place"
"Who's your witness?" asked Slim
in his most judicial tones.
"Bud Lane. Me an him rode over to
the weddin' together from the Lazy
X, an | wuE put out as not fttin' to
be there, an by that very man there
that did the KILN"
The punchers had to grin In spite OF
the seriousness Of the occasion. Buck
appeared to be deeply hurt ut the un-
ceremonious way he had been left out
at the feast
"What makes you point to me as the
man." asked Jack quietly.
"You wuz late gettin' to yer own
weddin'."
Fresno could not repress his feelings
any longer. He started angrily to-
ward Mckee, but Jack and Sagebrush
held him back. The others were about
to follow his lead when Slim motioned
them back with the caution. Keep out
of this. boys!l
II was late" explained Jack. "but
told you rode around to the station
to get wedding present ordered for
my wife,
Jim interrupted him to substantiate
the statement. Pointing to desk. he
said: That's so. There It 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?"
"I saw Terrill. 1t must have been
just before he was killed. I didn't
meet anybody else" Jack showed no
trace Of temper under the inquisition.
"Of course you saw him before he
wuz killed-about a minute. Mebbe
you didn't plug him the next minute
with All?
The charge reused Sagebrush's fight
ing blood. Drawing his gun, he at
tempted to get fair shot Mt the ac-
cuser. Fresno and Show Low grabbed
him by the arms, holding him back.
The foreman shouted. 'Thers'll bs