The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-03-18

to the courthouse. Five minutes late
he turned to the shirt-sleeyed man VIII
was leaning on the bench and said /
his most judicial voice:
"Mr. Sheriff. open court"
The next day the mail carrie
brought In note for the temporar
Judge. His honor read it at recess AM
fastened across to Hollman's Nam
moth Department Store. There, IL
council with his masters, he asked In
structions. This was the note:
THE Hon. Asa Smithers.
Sir: l arrived in this county yes
terday, and am prepared, II called as
= witness, to give to the grand jury
full and true particulars OF the murder
OF Jesse Puryy and the killing Of Aaron
Hollis. l am willing to come under the
escort of my own kinsmen. or the mill
tiamen, as the court may advise.
THE requirement OF any bodyguard
legations, do not regard it as neces-
sary or proper to walk into = trap.
Respectfully.
SAMSON SOUTH"
smithers looked perplexedly at
Judge Holman.
Shall | have him conner" he in
quired.
Holman threw the letter down on
his desk with burst of blasphemy:
Have him Gomez" he echoed. Hell
and damnation. no! What do we want
him to come here and spill the milk
for? When we get ready, we'll indict
him. Then, let your damned soldiers
go after him-as a criminal, not a
witness. After that, wen continue this
case until these outsiders go away,
and we can operate to suit ourselves.
We don't fall for Samson South's
tricks. No, sir; you never got that
letter! 1t mlscarried. Do you hear?
You never got it."
Smithers nodded grudging acqul-
escence. Most men would rather be
independent officials than collar-wear-
ers.
Out on Misery Samson South had
gladdened the soul of his uncle with
his return. The old man was mending,
and. for long time, the two had
talked. The failing head of the clan
looked Yainly for signs of degeneration
in his nephew. and, failing to find
them, was happy.
''Hey we decided. Samson" he in
1uired. tibet ye was right in yer no
lion, bout goin' away?"
Samson sat reflectively for while,
hen replied;
1--WE were both right, Uncle Spicer-
md both wrong. This is my place,
1ut if I'm to take up the leadership it
must be in different fashion. Changes
ire coming. We can't any longer stand
,till."
Spicer South lighted his pipe. He,
90, in these last years, had seen in
he distance the crest of the oncoming
wave.
81 reckon there's right smart truth
o that" he acknowledged. 1--WE been
tudyin bout hit considerable myself of
ate. Thar's been sey'ral fellers
through the country talkin' coal an
imber an railroads-an' SIGH like"
Sally went to mill that Saturday,
nd with her rode Samson. There, be-
ides Vile McCager, he met Caleb
Wiley and several others. At first.
hey received him specifically, but they
new of the visit to Purvy's store, and
hey we're willing to admit that in part
I least he had erased the blot from
is escutcheon. Then, too, except for
ropped hair and white skin, he had
ONE back as he had gone, in home
pun and hickory. There was nothing
ighfalutin In his manners. In short,
lie impression was good.
Il reckon now that ye're back,
amson," suggested McCager, IAN see
I how yere Uncle Spicer is gettin'
long all right, I'll jest let the two Of
3 run things. I've done had enough"
was a simple fashion of resigning
regency. but effectual.
Old Caleb. however. still insurgent
I'd unconvinced. brought in minor
Y report.
1--WE wants fightin' men," he grum-
ed, with the senile reiteration of his
re, as he spat tobacco and beat rat
t on the mill floor with his long
ckory staff. I'VE don't want no de-
rters."
Samson amt deserter," defended
lily. There isn't one of you fit to
} his shoes" Sally and old Spicer
,uth alone knew of her lovers letter
the circuit judge, and they were I
edged to secrecy. S
Never mind, SALLY" It was SAM {
n himself who answered her. Il
int come back because | care what S
an like old Caleb think. / came back |
cause they needed me. The proof OF l
lighting man is his fighting, reckon.
n willing to let 'em judge me by
lat I'm going to do" S
So, Samson slipped back, tentative J
at least, into his place as clan head.
ough for a time he found it a post b
thout action. After the fierce out
rst of bloodshed, quiet had settled, Il
d 1t was tacitly understood that, I'M a
IS the Holman forces had some coup
mind which they we're secreting, n
is peace would last until the soldiers q
IL.