Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-26

chicken W. Hanging up thew. But
bs came % the earth abruptly, for
there were steps coming down the
trail that were neither McLean's nor
Duncan's, ana there never had been
others. Ereckles' heart leaped holly.
He ran . quick hand over his belt TO
feel II his revolver and Ratchet were
there. caught up his cudgel and laid
L across hiS knees. then sat quietly
waiting. Was It Black Jack. or some
one even worse7 Forced to do some
thing to brace his nerves. he puckered
his stifrening tps and began whistling
tune he had led in his clear tenor
every year Of his life at the home
Christmas exercises.
His quick Irish wit reused to the
righteousness of It and be burst into
Z laugh that stendied him amazingly.
Through the bushes he caught
glimpse of the oncoming figure. His
heart flooded with JOY, for it was
man from the gang. Wessner mad
been his bunk mate the night be came
down the corduroy. This was no tim
Der thief. Freckles sprang up and
called cheerily, warm welcome on his
face.
well. it's good telling If you're glad
to see me-" said Wessner. I'VE been
hearing down at the camp you were
50 mighty torchy you didn't allow
man within rod Of the iine.'N
mo more do l." answered Freckles.
ere z%N hvNf frnFn
Mclean. amt you:'
"Oh, curse McLeanw said Wessner.
Freckles gripped the cudgel.
-.And are you rally saying so? he
inquired with elaborate politeness.
-Yes. am" said Wessner. $50
would every other man Of the gang II
they WASN'T too big towards to say
anything unless maybe that other slob-
bering old Scotchman Duncan. Grind
lug the lives out Of US! Working Us
Nike dogs and paying US starvation
wages. while he rolls up his millions
and lives like q prince!
Green lights began to play through
the gray Of Freckles' eyes.
"Wessner." he said impressively.
you'd make a fine pattern for the ia
Their Of liars! Every man on that
gang is strong and hilthy. paid all he
earns and treated with the courtesy OF
| q gentleman AS for the boss living
IKE a prince. he shares fare with you
every day Of your lives"
Wessner was not n born diplomat.
but he saw be was on the wrong tack.
nd no triof another
"Freckles. old fellow" he said. If
you let me give you pointer ! can
put you on to making cool five hun
dred without stepping out Of your
tracks"
Freckles drew back.
"You needn't be afraid of speaking
up." be said. There isn't soul In
the Lmberlost save the birds and the
beasts unless some of your sorts come
! along and's crowding the privileges Of
the legal tinints."
None Of my friends along" said
Wessner. Nobody knew l came but
Black il mean q friend Of mine. II
you want to hear sense and act With
reason be can see you later. but 1t amt
necessary. We can make all the plans
needed. The tricks SO dead small and
easy"
Must be If you have the engineering
Of it," said Freckies. But he heard
with a sigh Of relief that they were
alone.
Wessner was impervious. "You Just
bet it is! Why. only think. Freckles.
slavin' away at measly little $50 a
month. and here is chance to clear
$500 in day! You surely won't be
| the fool to miss it,"
"And how was you proposing for
me to stale it:" inquired Freckles.
"Or am Just to find it laying In me
path about the iine:"
That's it. Freckles." clustered the
Dutchman. you're just to find It.
You needn't know a thing. You name
! morning when you will walk up the
west side of the swamp and then turn
round and walk back down the same
side agnin and the money is yours.
! Couldn't anything be easier than that.
could it?''
"Dep;nds entirely on the man." said
Freckles. The lit of lark hanging
/ above the swale beside them was not
sweeter than the sweetness OF bis
voice ITO some 1t would seem to
come aisy as breathing. and to some
/ wringin' the last drop of their hearts
blood couldn't force thin! I'm not
the man that goes into scheme like
| that with the blindfold over me eyes
I for. you see. 1t names to break trust
with the boss. and I've served him
faithful as I knew. You'll have to be
making the thing very clear to me
understanding"
".lt's 80 dead easy" repeated Wess-
ner, lit makes me tired of the sim
pieness OF it. You see. there's few
trees in the swamp that's real gold
mines. There's three especial. Two
are back in. but ones square on the
line. Why. your pottering old Scotch
fool of boss nailed the wire to Il
with his own hands! He never no
ticed where the bark had been peeled
nor saw what 1t was. II you will stay
OF this side of the trail Just one day
we can have it cut. loaded and ready
to drive out at night. Next morning
911.assa