Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-02

answer from Smith himself. "YOu have
about seven years to serve, Rockstro,
haven't you? Seven. I think. Now
what have | over done to YOU hat
you should turn o trick like this on
me? | knew you were here, and you
knew | knew you were hero. and ! call
this n pretty country; q little smooth
right around here, like the people. but
Pretty. Have I ever bothered you?
Now tell mo n thing-what did YOU
get for covering this trail? I stand
to give YOU two dollars for every one
you got last night for the job, if you'll
put us right on the game. which way
lid they CO.
What arc you talking about?"
Get off your horse a minute sug-
gested Smith, dlsmounting, and step
owe hero toward the creek The
man, afraid TO refuse and unwilling 10
go, walked haltinRlv after Smith.
What is Il, RocEstro?" asked his
tormentor. Don't you like this III
try? What do YOU want TO so back to
the penilentiary for? Aren't you happy
here? Now tell me one thing-will YOU
give up the trail?"
Il don't know the trail
81 believe you: we shouldn't follow
It anyway. Were you paid last night
or this morning?"
81 ANT seen n mar h%ereabouts for
a week"
Then you cent tell NO whether
ft,,,o u-aro g,, $500, ., IT.. 80
you've got Il eye as good as mine,
and one q whole lot better
so 1t was fixed UP for cash a week
ago.
"Eycrything is cash in this country"
We'll, Rocistro. I'm sorry. but we'll
have TO take you back with us"
The rancher whipped ont q revolver.
Whispering Smith caught his wrist.
The struggle lasted only an instant,
Rockstro writAcd, and the pistol fell
to the ground.
Now, shall l 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. We'll send some
one down to round mp your horses and
sell them, and yOu can serve out your
time-with allowances, Of course, for
good conduct. which viii cut 1t down.
II | had eve done you a mean turn I
would not say a word. If YOU could
name a friend of ours | had ever done
a mean turn TO ! would not say a 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, I'll ask you Just
one question. | haven't killed you, as
had 4 perfect right TO when you
pulled ! haven't broken your arm. as
l would have done II there had been
a doctor within % miles; and haven't
started you for the pen-not yet. Now
ask you one fair question only: Did
you need the money!
Yes, | did need IT,"
Whispering Smith dropped the
mans wrist. Then I don't say a word.
If you needed the money, I'm not go
ing 10 send YOU back-not for mine
How can a man make a living IN
this country" asked TIE rancher, with
a bitter oath, unless he picks up
everything that's going?"
Pick up your gun. man! I'm no,
saying anything, am II"
But I'm damned II I can give a
doubie-cross to II man added Rock
stro. STOPPING for his revolver.
81 should think less of you. Rock
strO, II You did. You don't need money
anyway now, but sometime YOU may
need a friend. I'm goins to leave yoc
here. You'll hear no more of this. Gnt
I'm going to ask you a question: Why
did you go against this when yor
knew you'd have to square yourself
with me?"
They told me you'd hc taken car,
of before It was pulled OFT"
They He'd to you, didn't they? NJ
matter, you've got their stuff. Now
am going 70 ask YOU one question tina
| don't know the answer to; it's a fat
question, too. Was Du Sang in tn,
poni5entiary with you at Fort City
Answer fair"
Yes"
Thank YOU. behave yourself ant
keep your mouth shut. 7 say nothini
this time. Hereafter leave r~ailroac
matters alone. and If the woman
should fall sick or you have to hayo
little money, como and sec mo SGlitl
led the way back to the horses.
Look here" muttered Rockstrc