Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-08-30

saddle. wasn't surprised when !
heard about the fuss"
1T was Il little hit out O. his most
direct way to come by here, wasn't it,"
Abncr's tone was even and careless.
The bee line way from his house to
town is by Trumbley's. amt it?''
Il don't know" Abe said. slightly
disturbed by the demand. 1T may be
shorter by Trumbley's. Anyway. Craig
was too drunk to know which way he
was goin'"
The administrator will not git much
fer his farm in the condition it's in
Abner remarked casually. Il happened
to notice that he started you to builuin
Il new wire fence l reckon you never
finished it. not KNOWN whar yorc
wages would come from now that he's
dead"
Il throwed that job up" Abe flashed
out impulsively. He wouldn't plank
down cent, although l was out O
grub. He come over to whar was at
work that last mornin' an cussed me
black an blue fer maxim little mis-
take After he rid off shouldereu my
tools an quit"
Il see" Abner spat straight toward
the freight. slowly rose to his feet
his hands in his pockets. the bride
thrown over his shoulder. An Craig
rid straight off to town an had his
fuss with Howard His little tiff with
YOU started i'm out fer the day. an he
wanted to git back at somebody
Yes. l heard that evenin' that he'd
jumped on Howard" Abe fell into the
trap Craig didn't care fer man. God
nor devil"
That time in the field was the very
last you seed Of i'm alive" Abner re-
marked adroitly.
The very last time." Abe said I'M
guardedly.
But let's see. Didn't hear you to
say, Abe" Abuer remarked. now star
ing steadily, that the last sight you
had Of i'm was while you was at that
pigpen thar an he rid by goin' to
town.
Fultons beetling brows met in
trown Of perplexity. Did l say that?'
be asked. That must "a been anoth-
err time. My memory amt as good as
it used to be-"
Mine amt nuther." Abner threw
his shoulders back and yawned. We'll,
must be goin.'
Down the road. when in sight Of
Trumbley's barn. Abner saw Pole
Baker.
~ purity tramp you been havin', IN
Gle Ab," he began, with smile. you
went exactly the wrong direction. l
seed yore boss just now back O my
place. He's thar yit nibblin' at a fine
patch O. grass. Gil me yore bride.
I'm spryer n you are in the legs, eff |
amt smarter in the head. an l never
yit seed boss couldn't halter"
Abner gave the bride to him. and as
Pole bore it briskly away he strolled on
homeward. Ten minutes later, as Alb
ner stood waiting at the gate of the
lot, Pole rode up on the bare back of
the horse. his legs swinging to and fro
from the animals TANKS. He laughed
in significant way as be slid down to
the ground.
Fer a wild, runaway hoss,' be said,
! this un was the easiest to catch
! ever run across. He come up to me of
| his own accord, jest the same as to
say, Eff you an Uncle Alb are through
: playin' tag with me I'll go home to
bed"
"Humphw Abner said, his mind evi
IDENTITY far away, as he opened the gate
and let the horse loose in the lot.
You kin sniff eff you want to-" Pole
said, with meaning smile. II ain't
a-goin' to pry into yore business
though I'll admit I'm losin' sleep ovel
the very thing you are thinkin' about
at this minute. R1din' back jest now
it struck me that Teller O yore wide
experience wouldn't meander of on 9
bare. rocky hillside lookin' fer boss
that's out after grass when you know
mighty we'll that it grows on low
ground You mought lie an say you'C
already been whar l found the boss
but that wouldn't pass my Adams ap
pie. fer seed from the grass that hac
been topped in one spot that the hos:
had been thar good WHILE
You are gittin' awfully sharp. Pole.
Abner said. with a sudden smile. "Yor
said t'other night on the mountain thai
thar was some delicate things l coul(
work better n you. | don't believe it.
II know whar you've been," POLE
said eagerly. You've been to see abb
Fulton. You have been. hain't you, ole
man."
Abner nodded silently. the worried
expression stealing back into his face.
II knowed it," Pole cried triumph
antly. well. what's yore opinion? L
it likely that Abe done it?''
II think he did. Pole" Ab1ler answer
ell slowly. II am purity sure he dom
it. but that don't git us out O. the mir
, By long shot
you say it don't?" Poles voice sanl
and shadow crossed his face.
mo. it don't" Abner went on. NV
read an heard O. big cases, Pole, wha
sharp detective work was done wit
plumb success, but in all of 'em tina
was outside Happenings. an facts
. pick up an piece together till the ma
| was tied hand and foot, but in tn
| case. Pole, the truth lies away dow
| in the heart Of a single human bein
In my opinion Abe is the Teller thu
. done the deed, but it is jest my privat
opinion. an that amt with q stra
: when it comes as an Offset to all tt
facts agin Howard"