Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-10-06
Copyright 1909
BY cbo$.ScrIaRrsS OH@

few minutes ago. NOW, RockStrO, 90
you still drag your left leg?"
The rancher looked steadily at his
new inquisitor, but blinked like
gopher at the sudden onslaught.
(Which of you fellows is Whispering
Smith," he demanded.
1.-The man with the dough is Whis-
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 a trick like this on
me? l knew you were here, and you
knew l knew you were here, and l call
this pretty country; a little smooth
right around here, like the people, but
pretty Have l ever bothered you?
Now tell me one thing-what did you
get for covering this trail? / 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
did they go?"
What are you talking about?"
get off your horse minute" sug-
gested Smith, dismounting, "and 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 coun-
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?"
81 don't know the trail"
81 believe you; we shouldn't follow
it anyway. Were you paid last night
or this morning?"
81 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 a whole lot better
$50 it was fixed up for cash a 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 revolver.
Whispering Smith caught his wrist.
The struggle lasted only an instant
Rockstro writhed, and the pistol fell
to the ground.
Nov, shall 1 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-with allowances, of course, for
good conduct, which will cut it down.
If had ever done you mean turn I
would not say a word. If you could
name friend of yours had ever done
a 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 l make for every
body-to let the railroad alone. This
is my thanks. Now, I'll ask you just
one question. I haven't killed you, as
had a perfect right to when you
pulled; haven't broken your arm, as
1 would have done if there had been
a doctor within 25 miles; an 4 haven't
started you for the pen-not yet. Now
I ask you one fair question only: Did
you need the money"
Eyes, l did need it."
Whispering Smith dropped the
mans wrist. "Then / don't say a word.
If you needed the money, I'm not go
ing to send you back-not for mine. "
How can a man make 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 not
saying anything, am II"
But I'm damned If 1 can give a
double-cross to any man." added Rock
| stro, stopping for his revolver.
81 should think less of you, Rock
stro, if you did. You don't need money
anyway now, but sometime you may
need a friend. I'm going to leave you
here. You'll hear no more of this, and
I'm going to ask you 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 it 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
1 don't know the answer to; it's fair
question, too. Was Du Sang in the
penitentiary with you at Fort City?
Answer fair"
"Yes."
! Thank you. Behave yourself and
keep your mouth shut. l say nothing
this time. Hereafter leave railroad
matters alone, and If 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. ST pulled on you toe
| quick, guess-quicker'n I'd ought to-
Don't mention it. You didn't pull