Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-27

he nuTTleu eSClleuly past lue podTulnk
shack and caught the day-shift just as
they were starting for the tunnel.
bill, he's gone up the canon foam
in mad, l tell you!" he exclaimed
But | took notice that it's because
Ansell struck the trail this mornin'
for Meeteetse without a word to Bill
to get a warrant for maj"
"A warrant for MAJ" echoed doz-
en- voices.
Yes, affirmed hummer Dan.
Don't knows / ever saw Bill so hop
pin mad. You see, Ansell was un-
easy after he heard what ma said last
night, so he gets up along about three
this mornin' and goes over to the
joint. He came right back and woke
me up and said he want goin' to
Said you was all clean daft when the
old woman was mixed up in things!
Said If he couldn't shoot her, he could
arrest her"
He better try it," yelled Whis-
pering VIII.
Say boys, the Gales Ridge outfit'll
stand by ma II she smashes all the
saloons in Bighorn county, heh?
called Shanks, glancing behind him."
mo use askin' such a fool ques-
tion!" came the prompt response.
Bummer Dan took off his hat and
passed a red handkerchief across his
forehead, remarking, 1T is rather
tough on Bill, though"
No one volunteered a reply. His
loss was the other side of the question,
and 1t was a solemn outfit that await
ed developments that day-and sur
prised outfit when the developments
came.
At dinner time Society Bill was still
absent and when the men gathered
into the shack for supper he was not
among them. Harve, the funky,
waited silently on thirty-five silent
boarders. Ma was busy in the kitchen.
When dinner was half over, So
ciety Bill entered, and without a
word stepped over the bench beside
the pine table and sat down In the
vacant place. No one appeared to
notice him, until Shahks ventured to
ask, with forced carelessness, seen
glance assured Shanks that ma was
still in the kitchen.
Every one ate fast, but listened
hard and looked everywhere else ex-
cept at Society Bill.
The latter's face exhibited a curious
mixture of anger and embarrassment.
Seen Ansell?" he growled. mo.
He's hiked out to Meeteetse-where
he belongs!"
Lightning Hank leaned back and
looked out of the door. Guess he
don't calculate. he hiked out to stay,
for here he comes, lookin' like he
owned the camp"
Ansell strode in with an expression
of triumph. just as Ma Staples ap-
peared In the kitchen doorway. Be-
hind him came a constable, coatless.
and with side-arms very much in
evidence.
Without a glance at the diners An
finger pointed. There she is!" he
announced. loudly, to his companion.
Arrest her!" And he spat tobacco
juice bravely on the floor
There ensued an instant's silence.
Thirty-six knives were poised at
varying angles. Thirty-six men chok-
ed and stared, but mas face never
changed its color, nor did the hands
resting on her hips tremble. She
was anxiously regarding the floor in
front of Ansell. The constable flushed
and hung back.
do your duty" commanded An
sell, lodging another supply of to-
bacco juice on the floor.
verely. Them boards were scrubbed
only this mornin'! My boys never
spit on the floor"
Her familiar anxiety broke the spell.
Society Bill rose. So did Shanks. So
did Whispering Will and the Hooser.
You didn't tell me-" stammered
the constable. backing toward the
door, that I'd got to arrest a-a-
lady" Ma Staples's fame had reached
Meeteetse.
What If 1 didn't?" cried Ansell
"She's a housebreaker, and 1 amt
goin' to be beat by woman"
There was a clatter Of benches
overturned as the Gales Ridge men
came to their feet. There was a rat
tie of dishes as the outfit plunged,
there. toward Ansell but they came
up suddenly against Society Bill. So
ciety Bill was pale. His embarrass-
ment had increased.
"Arrestin' ma, are you?" he asked,
in curiously quiet voice. What
for?"
You know" stormed Ansell
Wasn't she heard to threaten last
night"
"Say, Ansell." interrupted Society
Bill, "whose money was it that paid
for them wet goods. tell me that?"
The men looked at each other in
amaZement. Was not that the very
thing he had been trying to conceal
from ma all these days?
BILL always makes 1t point to do
his thinkin' after his speakin'" NUT
tered the Hoosier, in evaporation.
SAY" demanded Society Bill, as
the other did not reply instantly.
Yours did" retorted Ansell.
BLESS Moses!" exclaimed ma, in
dismay.
Yes, mine did," repeated Bill, land
the loss is mine, and twas up to you
to mind your business and leave the
matter to me" He paused, stam-
mering, while the color rose. Then
his eyes lighted on Ma Staples, and
the sight of her seemed to wiring the
truth from him. II figured that
wouldn't have to give myself away"
he began. impulsively. but this here
fool move" waving his hand to-
ward Ansell. "I might as we'll tell
you here and now that ma didn't
have anythin' to do with putin that
joint out of workin' order last night
did it myself, and / amt answerin'
any questions as to why, either!"
Two hours later, up in the tunnel
the Hoosier recovered speech. He
leaned against the back Of the loaded
car and scratched his head I'm
thinkin' Shanks," he said, that may
be ma ought to have more credit than
Bill gave her for Dustin up his sa-