Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-09-13

knows all the rancherS are easy enough
picNin'. But the new fellers nave to
thin or anybody. An the old rancllers
are wise an sore. They'd fight if
What" Duane put in. as he paused.
If they knew who was rustling the
stockw
Nope"
If they had the nerve"'
Not tibet so much"
What then? What q make them
fisht?"
"A leader!"
"Howdy thar. Jim" sssmed a big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with a ruddy,
merry face. entered the room.
Hello, Norton replied Laramie.
L introduce You to my guest here.
but don't now his name"
"Haw! Haw! Thet's all right. Few
men out hyar go by their right names"
Say, Norton" put in Duane, Lara
gave me a bunch yenN be a good
man to tie to. Now, I've a little money
it in Stock
Morton smiled broadly.
I'm on the square,. Duane said.
bluntly. IF you fellows never size
up your neighbors any better than you
have sized Newell, ye2 won't get any
richer.'
1t was enjoyment foc Duane to make
his remarks to these men pregnant with
meaning. Morton showed his pleasure,
his interest, but his faith held aloof.
I've got some money. Will you let
me In on some kim Of deal? Will you
start me up as a steckman with Il little
herd all my own"
Wal, stranger, to esme out flat
footed, you'd be foolish t. buy cattle
now don't want tn foko an r,nrnv
an see you lose out. Better go back
across the Pecos where the rustlers
amt so strong. l haven't had more'n
2.5C0 herd of stock for 10 years. The
rustlers let me hang on to a breedin'
herd. Kind of them, amt it?"
Sort of kind. All l hear is rustlers,
Norton replied Duane, with impa-
thence. you see, l haven't ever lived
long in a rustler run county. Who
a h gang, anyway?.
Morton looked at Duane with a
%curiously amused smile. then snapped
his big jaw as if to shat in impulsive
words.
Look here, Morton. 1t stands to
reason. no matter how strong these
rustlers are, how hidden their work.
however involved with supposedly nom
est men-they can't last"
They come with the pioneers, am
they'll last till thar's a single steer
GU uc uccldTGO.
We'll, il you take that view of cir
cumstances l just figure you as one
Of the rustlers!"
Morton looked as Il he were about
to brain Duane with the butt of his
whip. His anger flashed By then, evil
IDENTIFY as unworthy of him: and,
thing striking him as funny, he doomed
u a laugh.
Its not so funny. Duane went or.
IF you're going to pretend a yellow
streak, what else will l think 2"
"Pretend?' he repeated.
Sure. l know men of nerve. And
here they're not any different from
those In other places. l say if you show
anything like a lack Of sand it's all
There are a lot OF men around Fairdale
who're afraid of their shadows-afraid
to be out after dark-afraid to open
their mouths. But you're not one. So
l say ii o claim these rustlers will
last you're pretending hsk of nerve
just to help the popular idea along.
Fol they can't last. What you need
out here is some new Aleod. Sayyy
what j mean"
Wal. | reckon 1 de" he replied. look
ing as if a storm had hlswn over him.
Stranger, I'll look yss up the next
time l come to town"
Then he went out.
fire.
He breathed a deep breath and
looked round the room before his gaze
fixed again on Duane.
WAL" he replied, speaking low
You've picked the right men. Now,
who in the hell are you?"
Reaching into he inside pocket OF
lining out. A star shaped bright silve,
object flashed as he showed it. pocket
and all, under Jim's hard eyes.
"Ranger!" he whispered, cracking the
table with his fist. "Yeu sure runs
true to me-"
Laramie. do you know who's boss OF
this secret gang Of rustlers here
characteristic of him to come sharp
to the point. His voice-somethins
deep. easy. COO about him-seemed tc
steady Laramie.
NO." replied Laramie.
docs anybody known went or
Duane.
Wal I reckon there's net enc homes,
native who knows"
But you have your ssRicions?'
I'VE have"
.Give me your idea about this crowd
that hangs round the saloons-the reg.
ulars."
Jest a bad lot" replied Laramie
edge. Most of them have been here
years. Others have drifted in. Some
of them work. odd times. They rustic
a few steers. steal. rob. anythin' for
little money to drink an gamble. Jes1
q bad lott"
Have you any idea whether Chesel.
dine and his gang are associated witt
this gang here?"
Lord knows. I've always suspected
them the same gang. None of us evel
seen Cheseldine-an' thet's strange
when Knell. Poggin. Panhandle Smith
Blossom Kane and Fletcher. they al
ride here often. No. Poggin doesn'
come often. But the others do. Fo,