Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1916-09-13

know. Mr.. Daniel. | think maybe l
talked about-about my cousin Susy
Thomas an her trouble. Bein' out O.
my head that way an thar bein' so
much talk about-about Craig's bad
reputation with women. reckon l got
the pore gal mixed up with him some
way in my silly mind. She did have
trouble like that. but a young Teller 1
knowed about that used to run as
brakeman on the w. and A. road was
the one that was to blame. He desert
ed her all right enough, an run away
somewhat. IL must give the devil
his due. an Craig. with all that is said
agin i'm, ortn't to be blamed with
with another feller's deeds'
II see, see.' Abner said, helplessly.
"But she did-you said. believe, that
you got word back from Texas that the
pore gal died out thar"
There was just a hint of hesitation,
such as witness on the stand in
court might show in the desire to make
an accurate statement, then:
Eyes; she died-she did die out thar,
Mr.. Daniel, but it was from weak lungs
consumption. 1t was in her family
She was always puny-like''
"Then the operation you mentioned?''
Abner suggested. "She didn't die from
that?'
Again Fulton deliberated before
speaking. Finally in response to Alb
ner's steady stare he said II don't
know that thar aCQs any operation, but
some folks that was in a position to
know said that the young Teller did
give Susy some concoction or other
that wasn't good fer her an may have
hurried the pore gal to 'er grave. l
don't know. know, though, that I'm
goin' to let whisky alone hereafter, Mr..
Daniel. It won't do when it plumb up
sets man like l was that night.
didn't have any sense at all. For in
stance, you know, couldn't recall ex-
actly when it was that l last seed
Craig fore he was shot. | made two
different statements, one on the heels
O. t'other. I said once that l was at
the new wire fence at Craig's an then
at my pigpen at home. but now that
I'm plumb sober an got all my senses
1 remember that it was at my pigpen
that last seed i'm
II see. see," Abner said gently
An l reckon it was to straighten out
all this that you was inquirin' about
me at the blacksmith's shop. Abe?'
Eyes l thought I'd git it straight eff
run across you an had talk
"An' that's what you was lookin' fer
me tonight fer?" Abner led him on gen
! tly.
YES" Abe nodded. Il wanted you
to have plumb straight tale l didn't
see no use O. lettin' you believe what
wasn't so.''
Abner made no reply. CHANGING a
few yards ahead, he saw his wagon
under a spreading beech at the road
side. and for some reason which he
failed to make known he moved to-
ward it. It was as if he had forgotten
the presence Of his companion. With
slow look of uneasy wonder Fulton
followed.
Yes, lots an lots O things pint to
Howard Abe went on. almost in a
tone Of appeal. II can't blame i'm.
though, MIR. Daniel. fer Craig cussed
I'm to his face several times, an How
ard always was high strung an easy
to git mad
They reached the wagon, and Abner
put his hand on the detachable spring
seat. Cit round t'other side. Abe. an
hep me down with it. I'm goin' to
have a Teller haul some stove wood
from this mountain tomorrow. an |
don't want i'm to take this seat along.
1t fills up too much. considerin' that
he's to be paid by the load.''
Abe obeyed. He went around to the
other side, and he and Abner lifted the
seat over the wagon pole and put it
against the trunk of the beech. Lets
set down awhile. Abe. I'm sorter tir
ed" Abner said, with a little yawn
sinking upon the seat and crossing his
slim legs. "Set down-set down. Abe
Like an automaton Fulton complied
staring at the ground. Abner saw his
knees trembling under their ragged
coverings. The sight of the cowed des
perate creature touched his heart, and
tone Of real sympathy, that was not
without effect on its object, filled his
IL