Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-09-27

1--WE Slid an slid down grade. Abe, till
1t nd take a railroad derrick to hoist
me to seat among the favored. Thar
is 50 many sad things In the world
that it takes the heart out Of Teller.
I'm worried right now. I've got a
friend. Paul Chester-you know i'm, |
reckon. Abe? He's good hearted fel-
Ter. but be was runnin' blind tiger
in town. an now the pore devil is in
jail. He sent fer me, an went to see
i'm. | expected to find i'm down In
the mouth: but. Ia me! He didn't care
50 much fer what happened to i'm as
he did fer some'n' else. 1t seems that
his cage is right across from the one
Howard Tinsley's in. an the sight O
Towards awful condition made i'm
think his own case wasn't nothin' to
compare to it. Paul couldn't talk O.
nothin' but Howard. l took u peep at
Howard through the bars. an l Ger.
tainly understood what Paul meant.
He's wasted away to Il bare shadow,
an it looks like all faith in man an
God has left i'm"
Pole paused, and Fulton suddenly
fixed an unreliable stare on him.
What do you think about it?' he
asked. his thick lip hanging loosely,
his big right hand clutching his knee.
Pole blinked visibly.
Me? Well, it's like this, Abe: You
see, I've heard SO many conflictin' re-
ports that l hardly know what to be-
iieve. The truth is. I'm so sorry fer
Howard an his nanny an fer that
nice gal that's workin' in his place,
gofn' to see i'm every day an praytn'
fer i'm so hard that-wen, | hain't
fully made up my mind, though I'm in
cllned to take his word I've knowed
I'm sence he was little tot, an
haint never knowed i'm to lie, l
ha1n't done no particular good in the
World-lve been bad egg from the
start. an'-an'-well, you'll laugh, l
reckon. at the idea, but considerin' all
that lies in front O. Howard, I'll be
darned eft l wouldn't be willin' to take
his place an let i'm go free"
The singing was beginning under
the shed. A verse was sung, and the
minister began to intone another in a
clear. mellow voice. Abe was now
staring at the ground, and Pole, close
~ watching him from the corner of his
eyes, saw culver pass over him. Pole
decided that his prompt departure now
would strengthen the effect Of his
words so he yawned carelessly and
rose. We'll, III be goin'," he said.
Hold on; wait a minute" Fulton
turned suddenly. Pole sat down again
on the log.
What is It, Abe?" he asked.
i jest wanted to az a question: y
Fulton faltered. II don't want to 20
to any O them in thar, because l know
what they would say, but III want to
ak you. ls all that singin' an prayin'
In thar pure poppycock, or do they
mean it?"
I'm tell you. Abe, it's like this, |
reckon" Pole said finally. Some of 'em
are dead In earnest-them that's done
wrong an know it, but think all
even down to the youngest-git bene-
/ BIT in some shape or other"
| Then you think"-Abe's somnolept
eyes seemed to burn from fires OF
agony and indecision-"that thar really
Is sech thing as a God?"
"Oh, yes; oh, yes!" Pole felt himself
on firmer ground. scripture says,
The fool hath said in his heart that
. thar amt no God Oh, yes, thar is
one, Abe. but | begin to believe as old
Abner Daniel does. that he hain't OK.
actly the sort Of God that ever did
tell anybody precisely how many nails
! to drive tn the side of house or dicker
! with the devA over tho best way to
tantailze Teller as good as old job
was. Yes, thar's God, an. whatever
be Is. he IS all right. You can depend
upon that Did you ever listen to old
Alb talk? Well, he's good un."
That's one thing want to ak you
about" Abe suddenly leaned forward
1t was as If he almost held his breath
in anxiety. you've knowed i'm 8
long time an had dealin's with i'm
Do you think he would give a mar
good advice, a-a-man in troub-s
man bothered in his mind over any
thing-business or any private matter7'
Poles eyes flashed against his will
he pretended to reflect, then he said
THAR amt shadow Of doubt about
old Abs heart bein' right, Abe. Yes
he's good man. Not many round
here know i'm as we'll as l do. He'd
saw off his right arm any day to help
person in distress, an, Ia me, how be
hates to see a friend take q wrong
step"
But he's sorter tricky, amt hep
Fulton asked.
He may be about little trifin' mat
tiers. Abe, sech as boss tradin' or play
in harmless joke, but not about big
serious matters. La me, that old man
knows me like book! He's Travelled
all the way to Atlanta more'n once te
git me out Of hook In SPREE He,
bought new clothes fer me an fetched
me back home an never told SOUL"
'"Then you'd take his advice about 8
very serious matter?" Abe muttered.
"You bet 1 would" Pole answered
promptly, especially eff it concerned
right or wrong" Pole rose again. The
minister was beginning to preach. "S<
long, Abe" he smiled. II reckon IL
listen to that sermon"
"Wait q minute" Fulton raised hi.
shadowy eyes with the timidity of Z
frightened child. II want to see Abnel
Daniel today-this mornin'-ri0ht noso
ef-ef kim
All right. l know Whar he Isl