Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-10-15
quick,y followed tn. detective to the

sure,
ITS a pity you didn't begin ear
Her"
They fell into step as they passed
down the e 1t was a dark night,
dark and cloudy. A clock in a dis
tant steeple struck IL.
NO slipping away in the shadows
said the detective.
I'm playin' square, said Stubby.
you was straight wit me, an I'm go
in to be straight with you" The de-
tectiye laughed softly.
That's a worthy sentiment. Stubby.
You're a better kid than l tool you
for-but that won't help you this
time. The hands are all dealt and you
lose"
Stubby gave a little gulp.
Say" he said. deere wasn't nothing.
De reporter fellers made it all up.
OATS straight"
The detective laughed softly.
1T was an unfortunate form OF no
toriety, Stubby," he said. your re-
porter friends have done you much
harm"
Il guess OATS right sighed the
boy. II liked 1t, too, but it makes me
feel all to de foolish now"
Brace up, Stubby," said john Hill
ton. The time will pass fast. II you
behave yourself you'll get out sooner.
You're not all bad. I've heard some
thing about the way you took are Of
that lame boy. Jim Corrigan told me
Officer Corrigan. He's the one who
got the boy into the hospital"
Il know him. Did he say de good
word for me?"
Yes"
Stubby gave a little gulp.
We'll, what do you think of that?"
he asked. Eve played many a dirty
trick on him."
Guess he forgot all that. Stubby,"
laughed the detective. "Corrigan has
a kindly heart"
Stubby was silent for a moment.
IF you see him. he said, II wish
you'd say I'm sorry for de tricks"
I'll do 1t, Stubby."
You're de stuff" He looked around.
Say, | don't know you. Wot's your
Manner
Inc QeleCtlVe laughed.
MY name Is Hilton-John Hilton"
Stubby gasped again.
From de Central offs! Gee! an
you was after me, Wot do you think
Of dat?"
The detective laughed at the sensa-
ton that followed the announcement
of his name.
I've had n eye on the lookout for
| you some time, Stubby." He paused
| aud looked around at the lad. Il no.
| ticed you We're a little anxious about
your money. Any investment in
view?"
1--we been savin' up to git away"
Stubby answered. II wuz goin' out
West. Dere's a kid / knowed-he's in
| Collyrado-an' he wrote Jim Hennes-
sy to tell me to come out dere an he
said he was dom we'll an could git a
job fer me. An as soon as l piled up
a little Of de green stuff 1 WIZ goin'
out to join him"
They had turned into a narrow
street, not much more than a drive
way-a deserted street that was the
short route from the avenue to the
police station.
And out OF the darkness a man sud
denly leaped and struck at the detec-
tive's head with a blunt weapon that
crashed through the derby hat. AS
the officer staggered the unknown
clutched his throat.
run. run" he cried to Stubby, who
had fallen back. II weel ia care Of
heem. He send my borther to prison.
shall keel heem for Eat. Run, get
away"
He raised his weapon, one hand
clutching the dazed mans throat and a
fierce snarl came from his lips.
And then with a swift leap Stubby
sprang upon him and clutched his
arm and wrenched him away from
his victim. They struggled for a mo-
ment, but the man wal 1.-THE and wiry
and he squirmed away from Stubby
and fed Into the darkness.
Painting and trembling the boy look
| ed around. The detective was pulling
himself together.
Are you much hurt, sir?" Study
asked.
1T was the walter" John Hilton
grasped.
He knew me-" He turned on Stub
by. why didn't you run away?" he
demanded almost fiercely.
ut wouldn't have been square,"
Stubby answered. "An-an' he would
have smashed you"
He smashed my hat all right" the
detective said as he stared ruefully at
his battered derby. But 1t saved my
head-and 30 did you. That bit of
lead pipe would have neatly finished
the Job II It hadn't been for your
quickness. Confound you. Stubby,
why didn't you run away"
They stood there in the darkness,
the man and the boy. and the mar
put his hand on the boys shoulder
and shook him-almost fiercely. why
didn't you .un away?" he hoarseiy de-
manded.
Then he turned and looked away
from Stubby for a little while.
The boy quietly waiting. saw some
thing lying on the walk. He stopped
and picked 1t up.
Here's de guys billy. sir" he said.
ut looks like q couplin' pin"
The detective turned and took the
weapon and stared at 1t and slipped 1t