The Huttig news., 1915-04-03

JOu uuuef lUe SldIe or h6Hlucky, or uI- der the Holman faction of this feud l am instructed to take my orders from you. Will you kindly tell me my masters real name?''
 Smithers turned pale with anger. his fighting face grew as true6le t as a bulldogs, while Callomb stood glar- ing back at him like second bulldog, but the judge knew that he was being honestly and fearlessly accused. He merely pointed to the door The eap- tain turned on his heel and stalked out Of the place. and the judge came down the steps and crossed the street to the courthouse. Five minutes later he turned to the shirt-sleeyed man who was leaning on the bench and said in his most judicial voice:
 MT. Sheriff, open court"
 The next day the mail carrier brought in note for the temporary judge His honor read it at recess and hsstened across to Hollman's Man. moth Department Store. There, in council with his masters, he asked in strnctions This was the note: 'The Hon. Asa Smithers.
 Sir I arrived in this county yes terday. and am prepared. if called as a witness, to give to the grand jury full and true particulars Of the murder of Jesse Purvy and the killing of Aaron Hollis. am willing to come under the escort of my own kinsmen, or the mili- tiamen, as the court may advise.
 "The requirement. of any bedyguard I deplore, but in meeting my legal ob- legations, do not regard it as neces- sary or proper to walk into a trap.
 Respectfully,
 SAMSON SOUTH"
 Smithers looked perplexedly at Judge Holman.
 Shall I have him come?" he in- quired
 Holman threw the letter down on his desk with a burst of blasphemy.
 Have him come?" 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, we'll continue this case until these outsiders go away, i and we can operate to suit ourselves. We don't fall for Samson South's s tricks. No, sir; you never got that i letter. It misearried. Do you heart I GU never got it."
 Smithers nodded grudging acqui- i escence. Most men would rather be independent officials than collar-wear- CTS.
 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 vainly for signs of degeneration in his nephew, and, failing to find them, was happy.
 "Hev ye decided, Samson," he in- quired, "thet ye was right in yer no- tion,> bout goin away"
 Samson sat effectively for while, then replied;
 "We were both right, Uncle Spicer- and both wrong. This is my place, but if I'm to take up the leadership it must be in a different fashion. Changes are coming. We can't any longer stand still"
 Spicer South lighted his pipe. He. too, in. these last years, had seen in 4l,c of hn wave.
 'I reckon there's right smart truth to that" he acknowledged. I've been studyin bout hit consid'a able myself of late. Thar's been sev'ral fellers through the country talkin' coal an timber an railroads-an' sich like.
 Sally went to mill that Saturday and with her rode Samson. There, be- sides Vile MeCager, he met Caleb Wiley and several others. At first, they received him skeptieally, but they knew of the visit to Purvy's store, and they were willing to admit that in part at least he had erased the blot from his escuteheon. Then, too, except for cropped hair and a white skin. he had come back as he had gone, in home spun and hickory. There was nothing highfalutin in his manners. In short, the impression was good.
 q reckon now that we're back Samson" suggested McCager, an sec in how yere Uncle Spicer is gettin' along all right, I'll jest let the two of ye run things. I've done had enough. ," It was a simple fashion of resigning a regency, but effeetual.
 Old Caleb, however, still insurgent and unconvinced. brought in a minor ity report.
 We wants fightin' men," he grum- bled, with the senile reiteration of lis age, as he spat tobacco and beat rat tat on the mill floor with his long hickory staff. We don't want no de- serters."e
 Samson ain't deserter,' defended Sally. There isn't one of you fit to tie his shoes" Sally and old Spicer South alone knew of her lovers letter to the circuit judge, and they were pledged to secrecy
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