The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-09-06

i
ished to see the sheriff. his posse and
the terrible desperate doubled up in
their saddles laughing Ok TO bust.
Well, sir. we never had hitch In the
proceedings for five days, and | was
getting to feel sort Of pride In my
record as a bank robber. forger, horse
thief and murderer, according TO the
way Bennett presented IT, lie certain
~ was the boss liar OF the range
He bad story framed up that
painted me as the bloodiest young
tough The Lone Star bad ever pro-
duced. and il never failed 10 get me
all the attention there was In the
house
One night we came 10 the best look
Ing place we'd seen, and in answer TO
Jim's summons out walked an old
man. followed by two OF the prettlcst
girls ever saw. who joined their ia
Their IN inviting Us 10.
clad 10 be OF assistance 10 you,
Mr. Sheriff." he said MY name Is
Purdy. slr-Colonel Purdy. as you
may have heard; in the Mexican war
special mention three times for distin.
guished conduct. These are my daugh.
tiers, sir-Annabe and Marie" ~ we
went In he continued: You say you
had a hard time getting your prisoner
He looks young for a criminal What's
he wanted forT'
Somehow when | saw those girls
blushing aud bowling behind their IA
Their | didn't care TO have my crimes
made out any blacker'n necessary,
aud | tried TO give Jim the high sign
TO let me off easy-just make II for
gerry or arson but'he was looking at the
ladies, and, evidently believing In the
strength OF good impression. he
said We'll. yes; he's young, but they
never was old man with half his
crimes. He's wanted for a good many
things In different places, but ] went
after him for horse stealing and muir
der. Killed rancher and bis little
daughter, then set fire To the house
and ran OF bunch OF stock"
"Oh, obi How dreadfulr' shuddered
the girls, backing off. with Mortified
glances NJ me-
tried to get near Jim 10 step on his
foot. but the old man was glaring al
me something awful.
Come TO observe him closely, he
has a dcprayed face" says he. He
looks the thorough criminal IN every
feature: dead TO every decent Impulse.
s'pose."
In those days l was considered
pretty handsome Teller. too and
knew bad Jim beat before the draw
on looks, but lie continues making mat
ters worse
"Yes, and he's desperate, too-one
OF the worst ever see. We bad an
awful fight win him up here on the
line Of the territory. He shot Martin
and me before we got him. You see, j
wanted TO take him alive, and 80
took chances OH getting hurt
'srhank you, miss; my arm does ache
considerable. or course II you'd jest
as soon dress it, Oh, no; I'm no
braver'n anybody else. guest Nice
OF you TO say so. anyhow" And he
went grinning out into the kitchen with
the girls 70 Ak up his arm.
The old man Insisted on having my
feet bound together and me fastened
to a chair and said: Yes, yes. ! know
you can watch him, but you're In my
house now. and feel a share Of the
responsibility upon me. I've had ex-
pcrience with desperate characters.
and I'm going TO be sure that this
young reprobate don't escape his just
punishment. Are you sure you don't
need more help getting him homer Ill
go with you IT,
Thank you" interrupted Hollis
We've chased the scoundrcl 400 miles.
and reckon. now we've got him we
can keep him
AZ supper Jim, with his arm In a
new sling, sat between the two girls.
who cooed over him and took turns
seeding him TN u made me sick.