Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-04-17
CHAPTER yI-Continued.

| ting soft-headed. Here, take one OF
these dumplings and get out. Yod're
in my road. / believe you've spoiled
my pies now. Come, clear out. Ine
| change was instant.
But / want you to promise, Rose,
| he said, hesitating a moment and look
ing at her. the dumping in his hand.
"Oh, clear out. They want you over
to the store. Come, start, or I'll spatter
| you!" She held the dipper threaten
| ingly. The old look was in her eyes
again. He went out laughing, MUNICH
ing at the dumping.
His good nature, however, was short
lived. When he reached the store the
group about the stove looked up ex-
pectantly.
Say, squire" sharp voice piped up.
they say you're going to put the law
to that young Farthing. Yas?'
That's just what I'm going to do
he responded grimly. , -
What charge you calc latin 10
make?'
"Untying Karrs hoss."
And what law does that breakY'
squire?"
TITS trespassing. and it's attempted
! damage of property, and half a dozen
things"
You can prove it, s'pose?"
prove it? Well, i should say You
Just watch me. / can prove 1t "a dif-
know this Farthing crowds going TO
change the whole tone of this valley?
There's trouble ahead. You take my
word for It, they're hard lot and
they'll bear watching. There amt
doubt in my mind but what that critter
was actually trying to steal the hoss.
Yessuh."
Say, look here, squire" Dan Tress-
ler was moving uneasily on his egg
crate. Have you got a single PROOF
that Jim Farthing really united that
hoss wunst? Now, have yeh, squireF
Proof? what'd say? i've got
proof to burn. i can bring half dozen
fellers who'll swear on the bible they
saw him go out"
But does that prove that he united
the hoss!'
well, it comes mighty near it."
But will that prove it?" persisted
the man doggedly.
Look here, Dan. What do you mean
or course we can prove il. He had a
motive; we can prove that, can't we!
He had a chance; we can prove that
He went out; we can prove that. He
profited by it and without the loss OF
minute; we can prove that. What
more do you want?'
And you are going to have him ar
rested and tried on that eveidence|
II am going to send for the sherln
lust as soon as / can telephone him.
Then let me tell you this, squire. -
There was suppressed excitement in
the mans voice. "If IT comes to a
trial, then you'll have me for witness.
| drove that bObsled myself last night
Il was my rig. / was In the tavern
room all the time and I'll swear on the
bible that Jim Farthing come in when
the rest did, and didn't go out
till they did He never left the
room. | know it. And I'll swear
that when Karl Keichline got onto
my sled at Moon Run bridge and told
us as how Jim had unhitched ms
boss wunst, three or four, and can
;ell their names still, spoke right up
and said as hoy they knew he didn't
leave the room. Joe Huber said that
ne set right beside Jim all the even
ing, and Joe won't lie. You'd better
go slow, squire"
And you'll swear to that?" and the
old mans face was twitching with
wrath. There was a threat in the tone,
and Dan felt It,
yes, sir: l will, for it's Gods truth,
squire" He was fairly trembling with
excitement.
"Oh, yes; them Farthings are pretty
lne birds, aren't they now?" he burst
out with a withering sneer. How long
has II been since they hired you to de-
Tend their doings? Heigh? You've been
I'VE saw it, and now you'll swear to
shat, will yeh? Heigh?"
81 won't swear to nothing but jest
Gods truth" maintained the man
stubbornly. "Al Farthing was good to
NE, and I'm not going back on him
when he's in the right still"
In the right? Well, sub, Wen see.
It II take more than your little swear
ing to clear up this scrape, I'll promise
,ou that" He stormed out into the back
store, slamming the door behind him.
But he die not telephone the sheriff.
In the meantime young Jim had
had but a single thought. He had
polished the little mare till she fairly
shone. He had crimed her name, and
lied her foretop with jaunty ribbon,
and had even polished her hoofs. AS
she stood in her newly oiled harness,
with the lamb skin breastplate and the
glittering nickel work, she was indeed
beauty. She showed not a trace
IF her hard usage of the night before;
she was alive in every nerve, and full
10 the brim of mettle and fire.
Punctual to the minute, young Jim
swung up before the squire's front
gate. He could not repress little thrill
of trepidation. How would Rose feel
about it after she had thought 1t over
Would she want to try the horse now?
And what about the old squire?
He was not kept long in suspense.
He had hitched his horse and was
Just starting to the sleigh for the
blanket when he heard a sound behind
him. He turned to find the old man
coming from the store at a shuffling
run.
Here, here. young man; what do
you want?" There was no mistaking
the tone or the look on the mans
face.
Il am calling for Miss Hartswick
We'll, sir, you won't see her. You
unite that hoss and get out Of here
Just as quick as God Almighty II let
yeh."
why, she asked me to CALL" he
stammered confusedly. She wants to
try the horse"
/ THAT don't make no difference" he
roared, taking a step toward him. You
! get out of here, and don't you ever
let me see you on these premises again
Just as long as you live. Clear out
| say! Start" Without a word, jim
turned to the hitching post, and the
Did man, fairly quivering in his wrath
made a movement to go.
Then he caught glimpse OF the
little mare, turned automatically, drew
! a step nearer, patted her on the shoul'
der and opened her mouth with a def
movement.
How old is she-five?"
Five in June"
"Sound?"
Absolutely perfect"
"Know anything about her pedigree !"
He was examining her like judge
at a county fair.
SIRED by Philly Boy out of Lucy M.
The old man cooked his head in
| stantly.
Sure of 1t? Can you prove it?"
Yes. sir"
Say, let me feel Of her little-wil
yeh."
Sure, If you'll let me go with you.
Get in" He gathered up the rein
with skilled hand. and they swung b!
| the store at a rafting clip. A curious
| crowd was watching them.
by George!" the old man ejaculate'