Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-02-23
CHATTER XIII.-lContinued.l }

with his own thoughts. AS they were
passing the Deer Trace gates a loose
jointed figure doomed black against the
palings, and the voice of Japheth Pet
tigrass said:
why. howdy, Brother Silasl
Thought ye'd gone back to South Ire
degar. When are We comm out to Lit
tie Zoar ag'in to give us another o
them old fashioned, spiritual times o.
refreshin' from the presence of the
Lord ?"
why do you ask that Japheth Pet
tigrass? The Lord will deal with you,
one day"
Yes, I reckon so; that's what makes
me say what l does. There's heap o
sinners left round here, yit, Brother
Silas. There's the Major, for one, and
/ know you're always countin' me in
for another. 1 dunno but you might
snatch me as brand from the burn
in. if you could make out to try it one
more lap around the cou'se. l been
thinl1in' right p'intedly about"
But the preacher had cut in with a
curt Good night" and was gone, with
his broad shouldered nephew at his
heels; and the horse trader went on,
with the stars for his audience.
Pettigrass was cropping for the gate
latch when a hand fell on his shoulder,
and a clutch that was more than half
blow twirled him about to face the
roadway. He was doubling his fists
for defense when he saw who his as
sailant was.
why, Tom Jeff! what's ailin' ye?"
he began; but Tom broke in with gasp
ings of rage.
"Japhe Pettigrass, what did you
think you saw last Wednesday fore
noon UP yonder at Big Rock Spring on
the mountain? Tell it straight, this
time, or I'll dig the truth out of you
with my bare handsl"
"Sho, now, Tom-Jeff; don't you git
so servigrous over nothin'. didn't
see nothin' but a couple O. young fly
Always playin' possum in hole in the
big rock. And I'll leave it to you if
didn't call Caesar off and go my ways,
jes' like I'd like to be done by.''
Yes; and then you came straight
down here and told my unclel" The
hand he had been holding behind him
came to the front, clutching a stone
snatched up from the metaling of the
pike as he ran. IF l should break your
face in with this Japhe Pettigrass, it
wouldn't be any more than you've
earned"
I tell Brother Silas on you, Tom
jeff? You show me the man at says
] done any such low down thing as
that, and I'll fragile a fifty dollar
nawsswhip out on his ornery hide--I
will So Say, boy; you don't certainly
believe that O. me, do yep
Il don't want to believe it of you,
Japhe" quavered Tom, as near to tears
as the pride of his eighteen years
would sanction. But somebody saw
and told. and made it a heap worse
than it was"
Who do you reckon it was told On
you? Was there anybody else in the
big woods that mornin'?"
Yes; there were three men testing |
the pipeline. We both saw them, and |
dan was scared stiff at sight of one of |
them; that's why 1 put her up in that |
hole"
when you find out who that Teller |
is that Mans skeered of. you can lay |
your hand on the man that told Broth
er Silas on you. But 1 wouldn't trou
BILE about it none, if I was YOU
The dinner at Woodlawn that night |
was a stiff and comfortless meal. as it |
had come to be with the taking on
of four tined forks and the other con-
ventions for which an oak paneled din
ing room in an ornate brick mansion |
sets the pace. Caleb Gordon was faith
oms deep in the mechanical problems
of the days work, as was his won't
Silas Crafts was 'abstracted and silent
Toms food chaked him, as it had need
under the sharp stress of things; and
the convalescent householder remain
ed at table only long enough to pour
the coffee.
Tom excused himself few minutes
later. and followed his mother to her
room, climbing the stair to her door,
leaden- footed and with his heart ready
to burst.
rs that you, Thomas?" said the gen.
tie voice within, answering his tap on
the ponel Come in. son; come in and
sit by my fire. It's right chilly to-
night"
Thomas Jefferson entered and placed
his chair so that she could not see him
without turning, and for many minutes
the silence was unbroken. Then he
began, as begin he must, some time
and in some way.
NANNY" he said. feeling uncon-
sciously for the childish phrase, man.
my, has Uncle Silas been telling Won
anything about me?"
Something, Thomas, but not a great
deal You have had some trouble with
Doctor Tollivar"
Yes"
IT have known that for some little
lime. Your uncie might have told me ]
more, but wouldn't let him. There
las never been anything between us to