The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-08-05

score who could tell how he has tried
to throw suspicion on me and rob
me of my good name. I heard him say
myself that he would ruin me If it took
every cent of his property to do it.
| came into this valley a year ago with
only one thought, and that was to set
tie down and pass a peaceful and help
ful Old age. And Pm going to tell you
just why 1 came. / was born In his
valley. You nave heard of me, some
of you. I left the valley because of Ira
Hartswick here. He was jealous of
me because I took the lead of the boys.
He insulted me, and l thrashed him.
as he deserved. Instead of taking his
licking Xix a man. he went home blub-
berinB and lied to his father. The old
man swore he would prosecute me for
assault and battery with intent to kill.
He sent for the sheriff, and I knew
what was coming. You all know, and
| say 1t fearlessly In the mans very
house, that no jury in this region would
nave dared to bring In a verdict against
the will of old Hiram Hartswick. I
was young and inexperienced, and I
ran away. l enlisted in the army, was
wounded at Gettysburg, and the pa
pers got 1t that l was dead. I did not
correct the report. After three months
In the hospital, I was honorably dis
charged. Then / drifted to Paoli. and.
wishing to cut myself off wholly from
my past. I called myself Alien Earth
Ing. That's the English for the Ger
man Heller. I didn't change my NAME.
simply translated 1t into English,
Just as the Zimmermans over in Sugar
Valley have changed their name to
Carpenter. I lived in Paoli until I saw
the old farm advertised for sale In a
Philadelphia paper. Then a longing to
get back to the old valley to spend my !
last days came over me. I have always |
dTR4 90 QhOnf fhn old r1arn nn1 pfroI
for 1T, and the temptation was over
powering. / bought 1t, as you all know,
and l said nothing of my past simply
to avoid unpleasantness. I'm a man of
peace, and I knew that, If once Ira
Hartswick recognized me, peace would
be impossible. But it seems that even
then l was not to scape trouble. The
Squire has prosecuted me every minut
since / have been here, and now he
tried to hang me and my boys. He
might have done a good deal to me
without my retortlng. but when any
body touches my boys, 1 fight. He's
gone one step too far. Now I'll see him
to the end of this business, if there's
law In the state to cover this crime, !
been enough evidence brought
In here this morning to prison the man,
He knows that. He's in a orner of his
W making. and I'll see to it that he
don't get out easily"
All ASaIC Gu IA 4
fairly shaking in his wrath. Its a
miserable trick. the whole OF 1t. You
know that amt al Heller. He's dead
and 1 can prove 1t. It's a trick and q
one. It won't work"
"Al Heller is not dead" said Earth
ing, looking him straight in the eye.
Recognize that watch? Recollect that
picture in the back? Remember any
little story connected with that pic
ture? Remember what I said to YOU
when you tried to get that picture and
Remember what you called
my father and my grandfather, and
what l did to you for it? Oh, no, AL
isn't dead. II he Is, Their this is
his ghost" There was an awkward
pause, during which all eyes were fixed
on the old man.
Squire Hartswick." said the Judge,
solemnly, what have you to say in
view of the evidence against you that
has been brought out heree"
Father, you are not we'll" Rose
sprang to her feet anxiously. and went
over to his side. Don't, father. Let
get o some water"
It's a lie from end to end he
rising to his feet. It's all a
miserable lie. got up by that Farthing
to ruin me. But he can't do it. It
won't work. I'll prove it yet that he
killed him! I'll make him suffer-"
His face was twitching violently. He
took a step toward F%arthing, then fell
q heap on the floor. Rose was by
his side instantly.
concluded Next Week.)