The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-01-21

the hrelfght, slowly rose to his feet
his hands in his pockets, the bride
thrown over his shoulder. 'tAn' Crai&
rid straight OF to town an had his
fuss with Howard. His little tif Will
you started Inn out fer the day, an he
wanted to git back at somebody"
Eyes, heard that eventn' that he'd
Jumped on Howard Abe fell into the
trap. "Craig didn't care Ter man, God
nor devil
'sThat time In the field was the VERY
last you seed OF Inn alive" Abner re
marked adro1tly.
s'The very last Time" Abe said I'M
guardedIy.
but let's see. Didn't hear you to
say, Abe" Abner 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.
Fulton's betting brows met In a
frown of perplexity- ibid I say that7''
he asked sThat must "a been ano4h-
er time. Ny memory amt as good as
it used 10 be-
Mine amt nuther.'' Abner threw
his shoulders back and yawned- s'Wen,
must be goin'-"
Down the road, when in sight of
Trumbley's barn. Abner saw Pole
Baker.
"a purity tramp You been havin', I'm
Gle Alb" he began, with a smile. "You
went exactly the wrong direction I
seed yore boss just now backso' my
place. Hes thar VT nibb1in' at q fine
patch o. grass Cir me yore bride.
I'm spryer n you are In the legs, eff
amt smarter In. the head, an I never
y1t seed a hess I couldn't halter
Abner gave the bride to him, and as
Pole bore it briskly away he strolled on
homeWard. Ten minutes later, as Abb
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 he slid down to
the ground
Ger wild, rAgeway boss" he said.
H't11is Zun was ~ easiest to catch L
ever run across He come up to me of
his own accord, jest the same as to
say, nj you an Uncle Alb are through
play1n' tag with, me I'll go home to
bed"
'-HumphE" Abner said, his mind evil
IDENTIFY far away, as he1opened the gate
and let the horse loose In the lot
.sYou kin snin eff you want to-" Pole
said, with meaning smile. ''I amt
a-gofn' to pry into yore business,
though I'll admit I'm losin' sleep over
the very thing you are tainkin' about
at this minute. Ridin' back jest now
it struck me that teller o. yore wide
experience wouldn't meander or on a
bare, rocky hillside lookin' fer a boss
that's out after grass when you know
mighty well that it grows on low
ground You mought lie an say you'd
already been whar found the boss,
but that wouldn't pass my Adams ap-
pie, fer seed from the grass that had
been topped in one spot that the boss
had been thar good while"
You are gittin awfully sharp, Pole"
Abner said, with a sudden smile. 'sYou
said t'other night on the mountain that
thar was some delicate things could
work better n you. don't believe it,
II know whar you've been,o Pole
said eagerly. You've been to see Abe
Fulton. You have been, hain't you. old
man.
Abner nodded silently, the worried.
expression stealing back into his face.
81 knowed itr' Pole cried triumph
antly. even, what's yore opinion? Is
it likely that Abe done tt7,'
I think he did, Pole" Abner answer
ed slowly. "Eam purity sure he done
it, but that don't git US out O. the miro
by long shot,
you say it don'tY' Poles voice sank
and a shadow crossed his face
mo, it don't" Abner went on. '.Tve
read am heard o. big cases, Pole, whar
sharp detective work was done with
plumb success, but In all of 'em thar
was outside Happenings, an facts to
pick up an piece together till the man
was tied hand and foot, but in thi5
case, Pole, the truth lies away down
In the heart of a single human bein'.
LIN my opinion Abe is the Teller that
done the deed, but it is Jest my private
opinion, am that amt wuth a straw
when it comes as an Offset to all the
facts agin Howard
After Abner left him Abe Fulton re-
manned seated on the wash bench, his
head de5eetedIy lowered. Presently
his wife appeared In the doorway.
Supper was ready some time ago.
she announced, ''but didn't want to
call you while Mr.. Daniel was here.
We hain't got nothin' fit to offer Inn,
nor no plates or decent cups and sau-
GERS. wish you'd buy some, Abe You
nave LIZ 4AScA INV Sudu0Q a woman
feels in pinch like this
3I overheard part o. what Mr.. Daniel
was sayin' about Howard Tfnsley,"
Mrs. Fulton said as she sat down and |
filed his plate with the young corn
and cabbage, which was boiled with !
pork and gave forth an appetizina
smell Hes sensible, sight more SO |
than the boys nanny, who still |
claims he never done it. You can't |
fool a man like Abner Daniel. He
knows thar amt no use contendin' |
ag'tn plain facts, an he knows that the |
shortest way out o. the trouble Is to |
tell the truth. Folks love to see man
brave enough to tell the truth in sech /
a case. an the court would deal lighter |
with Howard eff he'd listen to advice /
Ike Mr. DapfaI ro11Id ey1vo