Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-07-03

Toulouse. Perhaps the one that took
that hammer done II to lay the sus-
picion onto the Farthings. I tell you,
Squire, you take my advice and go
SLOW"
II shall go slow or fast, Jest as I
dunn please, you-uns take notice of
that. It's been a mighty long time
sence fv been crawling around this
valley asking people what I better do.
You let me tell you this, sub: Al Far
thing ain't out of this yet. Nosuh." He
turned with jerk and stormed out of
the room, slamming the door behind
him. small avalanche OF talk, SEEM
ingly loosened by the bang. ratified
about the room. but It was quickly cut
short by a commotion without.
They rushed TO the door In time TO
see the sheriff and his posse gallop up
with flourish, their horses white with
foam, and make half a circle about the
store front.
where's the squire?" shouted the
leader breezily.
Here, right here" The old man
hustled through the crowd. There
was curious, wild western air to the
scene, with its blowing horses and
fiannsl-shirted riders. The leader sat
on raw-boned mustang that, despite
its hard run, held his head high. The
Squire went straight to the man.
TITS Jim Farthing We want" he an
nounced, brusquely. mo matter about
the others"
But I thought there was evidence
against all of 'em. 1 thought they was
a gang" There was a shade Of disap-
pointment in his voice.
mo. Jim's the only one in this
scrape. I've gut more evidence since
telephoned. You'll know him: stout,
broad-shouldered feller; about 21; FIVE
feet HlpVan' weighs n ohntif 1Sns
hair, grey eyes, smooth face, square
jaws. good teeth wears a brown shirt
and a black felt hat"
"Where'd we better start IMP"
You'd better go to the house first,
and from there strike up into the Gap
to their wood lot. He's hid somewhere
In the mountains, but he can't get out
I've sent word in every direction and
they're keeping watch for him."
"All right" answered the sheriff with
breezy Importance. Il shall want to
swear in most of this crowd as depu-
ties. We want TO spread out in small
groups, and"
God Almighty! there he is now!"
The ejaculation turned the crowd like
a pistol shot. Allen Farthing and Jim
were right by the sheriffs horse.
Here's the boy; it's all mistake;
and l want it cleared up right now.
This boy is jest as innocent of this
business as a child"
Sheriff" called the Squire sharply
that's the man. l order his arrest on
the spot" The sheriff sprang from his
horse and strobe over to the new ar
rivals.
Look here. young man, want to put
some questions to yeh and you mind
how you answer 'em." The Squire,
grim and black, planted himself in
front of Jim and swung his fist in his
face. Where was yeh last night? Was
you home all the time?"
NO"
Was Was you out with your colt?"
at 10 o'clock?"
Driving down Gum Rum way?"
You'll tell the sheriff now why you
took that drive at that time of night
in that direction"
"Why-I went on business" There
was a troubled look in his face.
"Oh, yes that's very probable" The
Squire cast a triumphant look at the
sheriff. DO you have much business
at midnight these nights? Alone was
yeh all the way?"
Moo. / wasn't"
who did ye have with yeh?" An
intense silence had fallen over the
crowd. Jim made no reply.
Who was it?" inisted the man
brutally.
Il can't tell you, Squire Hartswick."
Cant tell me? Do you realize what
it means If you don't? If you went on
Now, once again, who was it?"
Il refuse to answer"
"Oh, indeed. This is quite interest
ing, Mr. Sheriff. Very well, let me ask
you another question. You've always
liked Karl Keichline, have yeh?'
why, / don't know-"
Yes or no; have you always liked
him?"
No"
Ever had any falling out with him ?"
why, not much. Up in the noun
tains one night, we"
Never mind the whole story" broke
in the Squire harshly. What was the
last word he said to you then?
"Why-I"
Tell the sheriff just what he said"
He said he'd get even with me if it
took so years. but I didn't"
Right. 1t takes two to make quar-
out in due time"
But, Squire Hartswick, i"
"Oh, you'll have time enough to talk
about that. We want you to clear up
one more point. Here, sheriff, you
brought up the hammer, didn't you?"
The sheriff produced it at once. Now,
have you ever seen that hammer"
Yes, that's our hammer" He took
it into his hands and examined it curl
Ously.
Where did you see It last?"
1T was in our tool house up home"
when was that?"
Sometime last week; I don't re-
Just when."
Have you any explanation as to why
that hammer was lying near the body
Of Karl Keichline this morning."
why, was it?" he looked up in real
surprise. .f
"Oh, your bluff don't go. That ham,
ner was taken into the store by the
one that murdered Karl, and it's your
hammer. You see, Mr.. Sheriff, you've
got your man."
But, Squire Hartswick," broke in
Jim, confusedly.
That's all we want to hear, young
nan. You can do your talking later"
There was Venomous ring in the old
mans voice. This isn't all the evil
ience by a long shot. This feller's
been infatuated with my daughter all
he spring. 1 caught him two or three
lines hanging around and hiding in
pushes to see her. She tried every
way to get shet of him, for she was
yoing to marry Karl on the 18th Of this
month. She was going to give him
he final answer today. Don't you see
how timely this making away of Karl
vas for this feller's schemes? There's
lot single link missing, not one. Now,
sheriff, you'd better take him right
lown to Jail as quick's you possibly
,an. There may be trouble If you
ion't. The crowd here is almost a mob
low, and can't control 'em much
onger."
But, gentlemen" interposed Allen
"one word"
mo, sir; not a single word" bel
owed the Squire. You'll have time
enough to testify all you know at the
proper time. Here, take him away,
Sheriff" The handouts clicked on
inns wrists.
Here, HAL" the sheriff shouted i'm
oortantly, let the prisoner have your
horse. I'll see that you get another
Ill right. Here, sir, this way. Fall in.
men," Two deputies helped Jim into