Evening star., 1914-10-11

night the family had to out into the cowshed
to git some Sleep"
aWhat 6n1ly come of it, Uncle Ariel3' asked JAP
@The last that the feller who told about it had
heerd" answered the truthful uncle, "she still
wheezn and the feler that owned her had moved
the spur and built hsself cabling"
II guess As would have stopped her, observed Rat
RUD took another drink, this time without the for
- mality of invitation.
~What you fellers layin here all night for?" he
asked, wping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Tain't lucky to travel with corpse after dark
Sides that didn't keer take any chances bein
aywaid by the Fltts and Pentecosts STILL old Popsy
Fltt sent us word there wouldn't be any laywayin'
and never knew him to tell lie. He said he'd stand
by the aw-whch call fair talk comm from loser"
@If you ak me, it amt" irascbly nterjected Cato
Shuckspur, graybeard. 3Tve took notice in my time
that the law air uncommony like jassack-looks
way and kicks tother. 1t air as wanderin and unsar
tain blind rootin' for acorns,-whch air ad-
jacky the kind of anmue that old Popsy air cute
enough to toll to his swl bar1. Hyer's the best
law if you ak mel" thwackng his revolver holster with
OATH at gives every man ekal chance, 'thout
fear favior; and there time, before he
justice of the peace and preacher to boot when Popsy
would have said so hisself.'
Rat pulled at cigarette until the hearty Endorsement
of this sentiment by the older men had subsded, then
said explanatorly to Bud. 3Popsy and Lachiepell
comm here to hold sarvice the remains don't
relish it We also give Rowan and Chantry per-
due now. hope they won't be much later; for us
eers have lost consda sleep the last three nights"
HALF an hour passed. however, before hoofs cattered
outside, followed by sharp rat-a-tat on the door,
if beaten with the butt of riding whip Popsy Ftt
two youths, and slender blackhaired, bareheaded
girl were admitted
The sage of Little Thunder rusty, -skirted
frock coat and shaggy belshaped beaver hat which
had weathered the rain and shine of many year. His
hair he h1fc
which reminiscent of his athletic prime. His
cient, frosty face scanned with countless lines; but
his piercing eyes, steeltrap mouth, and hawkbl
repelled any suggestion of senity The wild whisky
soaked in the smithy quailed before his Jovian
glance and Strengthened up from their oungng postures
with a show of respect.
@We aim to set spell with the dead and to hold
fitting sarvce he began at in the tones
of the professional orator. aye go stay
fit What ye hear, red-handed with the blood of
fellow being, won't cause ye to leap with joy,
and them that 60 may sleep better than them
that stay. But suit your will.
The unholy Shuckspurs had a super
stitious fear of this man of God, and some
of them sidled toward the door. Others,
however, doggedy kept their seats.
@Speak up, Rat' said the old man mper-
iously @You murdered the boy in the box
thar. What's your CHI ice?'
II don't special call for we 'uns to ~
stay answered Rat sulkiy. @'Sides, we
know what's decent But got consid
able at stake in money way. We can't
afford to take chances Labels body
being sperited away. You have any adjec-
tions to settin watch outside, while
the rest of go up to Cubes cabing?'
3None whatever. But set your watch
men back to back SO they'll stand fast; for
l look for manifestation here tonight that
will shake this mounting to its granite roots
Look here, Popsy!" protested Rat
NTaint fair for you to harp peace, and
then down here and call up devils