Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-04-20

In q few minutes her husband fol-
lowed. The closing Of the door was
the first warning the judge received
of 1t.
"Who was thatT he interrupted
Pierre's narrative to ask.
"Bil Peabody" somebody spoke up.
"Said he wanted to ask his wife some
thing and was coming right back"
Instead Of Bill it was Lucy who re-
entered. took of her furs and resumed
her place by the stove.
81 reckon we don't need to hear the
rest Of the witnesses" was Skunk VII
sons decision when Pierre had finish
ed 1--WE know they can only testify
to the same facts we've already heard
Say, Sorensen. you go an bring Bill
Peabody back. Well be votin' YER
dict pretty short. Now. stranger, you
can get up an say your say concernin'
what happened. In the meantime well
lust be savin' delay by passin' around
the two rifles. the ammunition an the
bullet that done the killin'."
Midway in his story OF how he had
arrived In that part Of the country and
at the point In his narrative where he
described his own ambush and how he
had fed to the bank Smoke was inter
rupted by the indignant Skunk Wilson.
"Young man, what sense Is there IN
you testifyin' that way? You're Just
takin' up valuable time. OF course
you got the right to lie to save your
neck, but we amt goin' to stand for
such foolishness. The rife, the am.
munition an the bullet that killed Joe
Kinade is against you. What's that7
Open the door, somebody"
The frost rushed in. taking form and
substance in the heat Of the room.
while through the open door came the
whining Of dogs that decreased rapid
ly with distance.
"It's Sorensen an Peabody" some
one cried, "a-throwin' the whip into
the dawgs an headin' down river!'
"Now, what the Skunk Wilson
paused, with dropped jaw. and glared
at Lucy. II reckon you can explain.
Mrs. Peabody"
She tossed her head and compressed
her lips, and Skunk Wilson's wrathful
and suspicious gaze passed on and rest,
ed on Breck.
"An' l reckon that newcomer you've
been chinnin' with could explain II he
had mind to-"
Breck, now very uncomfortable.
found all eyes centered on him.
"Sam was chewin' the rag with
him, too. before he lit out" some one
said.
Look here, Mr.. Breck," Skunk VIII.
son continued. you've been interrupt
In proceedin's, and you got to explain
the meanin' Of 1t. What was you
chinnin' aboutT
Breck cleared his throat dmid!y and
replied. ~ was just trying to buy
some grub"
"What with?"
Dust. of course"
"Where'd you get itf'
Breck did not answer.
"He's been snoOpin' around up the
Stewart" man volunteered. II run
across his camp week ago when l
was huntin'. An l want to tell you
he was almighty secrehous about 1t.
"The dust didn't come from there"
Breck said. That's only low grade
hydraulic proposition"
Bring your poke here an let's see
your dust" Wilson commanded.
II tell you 1t didn't come from there"
Lets see 1t, Just the same"
| Breck made as II to refuse. but all
about him were menacing faces. Re-
luctantly he fumbled in his coat pock-
ct. In the act Of drawing forth a pep
per can 1t ratified against what was evil
IDENTIFY a hard object
"Fetch It all out" Skunk Wilson
thundered.
And out came the big nugget. fist
size. yellow as no gold any Onlooker
had ever seen. Skunk Wilson gasped.
Half a dozen. catching one glimpse.
made a break for the door. They
reached 1t at the same moment and,
with cursing and scufiling. jammed
and pivoted through. The judge emp
tied the contents Of the pepper can on
the table. and the sight Of the rough
lump gold sent half dozen more to-
ward the door.
Where are you goin'T' Ell Harding
asked az Skunk started to follow.
For my dogs, Of course"
"Ain't you goin' to hang hlmT
IT'D take too much time right now.
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