The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-10-02
Little Jim
B. M. QUAD
Copyright by Associated Literary
Press.

ET08As III
There we're five Of us and a boy in
the far western stage coach as it roll
ed over the rough roads in Dakota.
We had been together for four days.
We called the boy Jim because his ia.
ther did. We had twenty miles to go
to reach the terminus. and the hour
was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon
when the coach came to a sudden halt
as 1t toiled uphill. Next moment the
driver called to us:
"All you folks what don't want your
heads blown off had better git down
and line up. We've been stopped by a
road agent"
1t seems cowardly when you read it.
but to get down and submit to be rob-
bed was the wisest thing to do under
q bit frightened. The boy had lined
up beside his father. As the road
agent looked down into his face the
lad cried out:
why. it's MIR. Pelton-Mr. Pelton:
Say. Mr.. Pelton. I'm awfully glad to
see you! Where've you been this long
timer"
$50 it's you. Jimmy?" laughed the
robber as be held out his hands for a
shake. "Well. you've been growing
since ! saw you last. It's a wonder
you knew me at first sight"
"Oh. I used to like you so we'll ]
couldn't forget your face" replied the
boy. Are there robbers around. Mr..
Pelton?" With gentle hand the man
pushed the boy into line and then
stepped back a pace or two. AS he did
so his face grew very sober. and l saw
a fash in bis black eyes ! did not like.
His voice was low and steady as he
finally said:
I'm much obliged for your prompt
ness in climbing down and lining up.
and ! think I'll let you off this time.
The four Of you may get back into the
stage and go on"
The colonel took his son by the
hand and attempted to enter the stage
With us. but the robber motioned him
back.
AT our disappearance the man turned
I'm Colonel Weston and pointed to the
hillside on the right and said:
Move on that way. Jimmy, give me
your hand and I'll help you along"
The white faced colonel entered the
pines and held a straight cours up the
hjlI Q1hirI hir, n ~ Tho ohhor on1
his son. The boy had been full of
curiosity at first. but presently he was
awed and frightened by the look cast
upon his father. Two Dr. three years
before be and Mr.. Pelton had been
great friends. Mr.. Pelton had been
manager for his father. One day there
had been a bitter quarrel. pistols had
been drawn. the sheriff had rushed in.
end MIR. Pelton had fed to escape ar
rest. He remembered his father call
ing the fugitive q thief and Of men be-
ing sent out to hunt him down. All this
came back to him as they followed the
father up the rough way. and. though
be knew nothing of mans venge-
ance. there was a feeling Of dread in
his soul Now and then the robber or
dered the colonel to the right or left.
but those were the only words spoken
until they finally reached a rude camp
high among the powders. Even then
nothing was said for a long i've min
utes. Each sat down to rest They
did not look at each other. By and by
the robber half turned to look the colo
mel in the face and said:
1--we waited for this for two years.
I could neither die nor 20 away until
had killed you!"
lit will be m~urder-cold bl0oded muir
DER replied the colonel as he folded
his arms.
IF It was murder q hundred times
over I'd do it. Do you suppose al
forget Rose Harper? Who separated
us: Who maligned me? Who wreck.
ed my life and sent her to a suicides
grave? Who drove me to be a fugi-
tive from justice on a false charge?
I'd kill you IL q thousand men sur.
rounded mel"
Take the boy away 1rst." said the
colonel. with a touch Of entreaty in bis
voice.
"Yes. that will be proper" answered
PeIton. Come. Jimmy. let's take a
walk"
The boy crossed over to his father in
\ puzzled way. and the father lifted
him up and kissed him. When he put
him down he said to him:
run along. Jimmy. II you don't
1nd me here when you come back Mr..
Pelton will take care Of you"
"Oh, yes: Mr.. Pelton will take care
Of me aud see that l get home" replied
the lad. I'm awfully glad to see him."
The lad started for his walk. whis-
Ting as he went, and bis father stood
erect With folded arms and faced the
outlaw and deuth. he closed his eyes.
and bis lips moved Presently he heard
the click Of q pistol and drew in his
breath. Thus for a long minute. and
then the man opened his eyes. Mr..
Pelton sat with his hands over his face.
When he dropped them there were
tears In bis eyes
|. II can't do 1t Little Jim wOnld know
II some day When he comes back
raka min, nnd aIO dawn tO the road