Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-06-07

pering Smith every time." was the
answer from Smith himself. you have
about seven years to serve, Rockstro,
haven't you! Seven. l think. Now
what have l ever done to you that
you should turn q trick like this on
me? / knew you we're here, and you
knew I knew you were here, and call
this a pretty country; little smooth
right around here. like the people, but
pretty. Have ever bothered you.
Now tell me one thing-what did you
get for covering this trail? l stand
to give you two dollars for every orc
you got last night Tor the job, If you'll
put us right on the game Which way
did they go!"
What are you talking about?'
Get off your horse q minute" sug-
gested Smith, dismounting, land step
over here toward the creek" The
man, afraid to refuse and unwilling to
go, walked haltingly after Smith.
what Is it, Rockstro?" asked his
tormentor. Don't you like this co,fn-
try? What do you want to go back to
the penitentiary for? Aren't you happy
here? Now tell me one thing-will you
give up the trail?"
II don't know the trail"
II believe you; we shouldn't follow
it anyway. Were you paid last night
or this morning?"
Il amt seen a man hereabouts for
a week."
Then you can't tell me whether
there were five men or six?"
You've got one eye as good as mine,
and one whole lot better"
$50 it was fixed up for cash week
ago?"
Everything Is cash in this country"
well, Rockstro, I'm sorry. but we'll
have to take you back with u.s."
The rancher whipped out asrevolver.
Whispering Smith caught his wrist.
The struggle lasted only an instant.
Rockstro writhed. and the pistol fell
to the ground.
NOW, shall I break your arm?"
asked Smith, as the man cursed and
resisted. Cor will you behave? We
are going right back and you'll have
to come with us. Well send some
one down to round up your horses and
sell them, and you can serve out your
time-wtth allowances. of course, for
good conduct, which will cut It down.
II I had ever done you mean turn
would not say a word. II you could
name friend Of yours / had ever done
mean turn to would not say word.
Can you name one? / guess not.
have left you as free as the wind here,
making only the rule make for every
body-to let the railroad alone. This
is my thanks. Now, Ill ask you just
one question. haven't killed you, as
had a perfect right to when you
pulled; haven't broken your arm, al
I would have done II there had been
doctor within Is miles; and haven't
started you for the pen-not yet Now
ask you one fair question only: Did
you need the money!"
Eyes. did need IT,"
Whispering Smith dropped the
mans wrist. Then don't say q word.
II you needed the money. I'm not go
ing to send you back-not for mine. "
How can man make a living in
this country" asked the rancher, with
bitter oath. unless he picks up
everything that's going?"
| "Pick up your gun, man! I'm moi
saying anything, am II"
But I'm damned IL can give q
double-cross to any man." added Rock.
stro, STOPPING for his revolver.
Il should think less of you, Rock.
stro, II you did. You don't need money
anyway now, but sometime you may
need friend. I'm going to leave you
here. You'll hear no more OF this. and
I'm going to ask you a question: Why
did you go against this when you
knew you'd have to square yourself
with me?"
'They told me you'd be taken care
of before 1t was pulled off,
"They lied to You, didn't they? No
matter. you've got their stuff. Now ]
am going to ask you one question that
don't know the answer to; it's a fair
| question, too. Was Du Sang in the
penitentiary with you at Fort City!
Answer fair"
Eyes"
Thank you. Behave yourself and
keep your mouth shut. say nothing
this time. Hereafter leave railroad
matters alone, and IL the woman
should fall sick or you have to have a
little money. come and see me-" Smith
led the way back to the horses.
Look here!" muttered Rockstro,
following, with his good eye glued on
his companion. Il pulled on you too
| quick, I guess-quicker'n I'd ought to. %
Don't mention it. You didn't pull
quick enough; it is humiliating to
have man that's as slow as you are
pull on me. People that pull on me
usually pull and shoot at the same
time. Two distinct movements, Rock
stro, should be avoided; they are IA
tai to success. Come down to the
Bend sometime, and I'll get you q
decent gun and give you a few les
sons"
Whispering Smith drew his handker-
Chief as the one-eyed man rode away
and he reJoined his companions. He
was resigned, after q sickly fashion.
Il like to play blind-man's-bu1," he
said, wtping his forehead, ''but not 30
far from good water. They have pulled
us halfway to the Crosse Terre noun
tains on beautiful trail, too beautiful
to be true. Farrell-too beautiful to be
true. They have been having fun with
us, and they've doubled back through
the Topaz Topahs toward the Mission