The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-04-17
The Life Of a WiIlful Boy
Who Set Upon Himself the
Responsibility Of Avenging
His Fathers Murder :: :: ::

o"A
in: my nanny seen him." he said:
surely that they would understand.
Still the men were silent. Suddenly it
dawned Upon him with an overwhelm-
ing establishment that these men knew
Kip Ryerson had been taken back at
the mill-knew it and had not raised
IL wore in protest.
Did you all know hit:' he said slow
ly. in bewilderment. Did you know
McAdams had took him back:'
There was such a hurt and singing
reproach in his voice that none of the
men found anything to reply, save
Lloyd Johnson.
'"Ther law says Kip amt guilty. he
was moved to venture in defense.
David caught his breath sharply and
his eyes blazed.
"You know he's guilty.' he flung
back, his head up and nostrils quiv-
ering. He regarded the still silent
group a moment longer. half hopeful
ly; then, as there was no response, a
sudden white flame of anger leaped up
in his face and he beat his clinched
fists hard together.
yer cowards.' he cried. Every
one err yer's towards. towards! Yer
know Kip Ryerson killed my pappy,
what vas a good friend ter all er Yer.
Stole up on him an shot him in ther
back. Yer know. he done hit. Every
one er YER knows he done hit! And
yit yer let him go on stayin' right here
cos Their amt n or yerS got Their
sand ter run him out. Yer 'fraid err
him. 'Fraid err him. Every one err
| yer's 'fraid or him an 'fraid err Ed
McAdams, cos yer might lose yer job
| at Their mill. Yer 'fraid, fraid. fraid!'
he screamed. mad with passion and
beating his hands together at each
| word. "'Fraid, 'fraid!'- Suddenly
his voice broke in its shrillneSs and
choked away into silence. Painting, he
| stood before them, a shaken little fig
ure, swallowing hard, his eyes wide
and bright with tears and his breath
coming in long q~uivers, and more than
one man dropped his eyes. ashamed to
stare at the child's barred emotion.
For only a moment he stood thus, fight
ing down his tears: then with a hard
caught breath he took hold upon him
self, and when at length he spoke
again his voice was low and perfectly
steady. and for a flash his soul looked
out Of his eyes.
"Ill be er man some day myself" he
said simply, IAN then III not be ask
in help Of any of YER And turning
with his head high and his hands still
clinched. he went away into the dark,
comforting arms Of the night, Il proud,
defeated little figure.
For a space silence held the group
of men, then with Il quick. stern gcs-
ture George Hcdrick pulled his hat
hard down yer his eyes.
III not sleep ternight.' he cried
It'll Their Drafts clear er that devil
With Il whoop Grin Snyder caught
up his lantern. I'm with yer" he
cried. "Dog-cd eff I amt. too Robert
Reddin cried. And inspired by these
three, in Il moment the mcn burst ont
Of the shed like a wave. heading fol
McAdams' house, even Lloyd JohnSo.
following in the rear. On the WA!
they overlook David, and Grin Snyder
flung his great arm around the boy
neck and swept him on with the crowd
Arrived at Mc.Adams' Robert Rcddil
and Grin went inside. and after
short delay brought out Kip Ryersol
in q cursing fury of rage.
"What der yer come here fer e
draggin' me out err my q h
, screamed.
, 1--WE come here" said George He'd
rick, stepping quietly up to him, ste
tell yer that this here little Draft ain
. big enough ter hold YOU an us botl
, an Their sooner you clear gu err hi
y Their better fer you.'
"Who's ter say 500" 1.ycrson erie
$ dcfiantly.
Hedrick turned to the group at hi
4 back and, little man though he wa:
there was suddenly something super
about him.
q "Who's ter say so:' he cried. 'Fe
d lers, step up here an let him see who
n ter say So"
At his words the men surged 70
ward out of the gloom and spread u
G the steps and Oh to the porch of NJ
d Adams house, holding up their la
terms so that the light fell on the
d determined faces. And as RycrSC
p recognized man after man he kne,
the angry scarlet of his face fell to
s, sickly shade Of gray.
I; ITO ba c%ontinued.1