The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-11-18

''HOWDY, BARNES! LIGHT AND COME
ROUND HEAH."
drew to a close, but Ingalls, came from
the St Jean country, another town
ship and the Barraclaw held him in
suspicion as an outsider. Jack Robin
sen, born and bred on the waters of
Lone Wolf, had also SHE'D his castor
into the ring, but the Barraclaw is
noted for its long memory in regard to
small things, and there was certain
little transaction concerning some cat
tie belonging to Jake Alders that had
accidentally got in the way of Robin
sons branding iron, and said transac-
ton had never been satisfactorily ex-
planned. Last, there was Barnes Ell
don. The Barraclaw was inclined to
favor him, barring his youth. At the
speaking down at the station Eldon
had held his own and better against
the two older men, but promises were
avoided during the absence of the old
king of the Barraclaw, Squire Johnson
Baxter, whose voice dominated the po-
litical powwows.
Ten days before the election the
squire returned. Ingalls, and Robin
son lost no time in seeking an audi
ence and in their haste arrived on the
ground at tie same hour The squire
made them welcome, but of the politi-
cal situation he said not word, and
each, held by the presence of the other.
dared not question the old man as to
his intentions.
Eldon held aloof purposely until the
others nad made their visit; then he,
too, sought the squire. When he rode
up the old man and his dogs were sun
ming themselves on the sheltered side
of the long gallery that ran entirely
around the house. The dogs made
rush for him, and the old man opened
his eyes as they gave tongue: ''Howdy,
Barnes? Light and come round heah,
boy Seems to me you've been a-tak
in your time easy a-fndin' out if
was alvin at the same place. jim
ingalls, and Jack Robinson was that
uneasy over my state of health they
both been to spend the day."
whats the news?' he demanded.
Nothing much, except that jim In
gals has things coming all his way
down in the ST. Jean. and | hear Opt
lika is going for him by a big ma
jority. Squire, it's going to be stiff
fight, and I'm counting on you-count-
ing big
SOS Ingalls,. an | understand Jack
Robinson is goin' round a-claimin' kin
with me this winter
Eldon squared around. But. squire,
here's the thing in a nutshell-Ingalls
is all right. They swear by him down
in the ST. Jean country, and if you
say he's better man to represent the
Barraclaw than | am all right; but,
squire, when it comes to sending up
man like Jack Robinson-well. I'm
trusting you won't turn my fathers
son down for that cow rustler."
Squire Baxter put both hands on his
knees and leaned forward, his keen
gray eyes twinlzling behind the glasses.
"Son, some folks gets mighty mixed
on what the Lord Almighty intended
them to do. p stands for politics, and
again it stands for plow. Sure you've
got the right readin' of it, BarnesY'
Eldon threw back his head and
laughed. whether I've got the right
reading or the wrong one I'll say this
nauch-St. Jean can't be allowed to
distance the Barraclaw. Squire, if
you won't back me, then you'll have to
make your arrangements to 60 back to
Little Rock yourself. | mean what
say. Now you can take your choice"
The squire stared open mouthed.