The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-10-19

Mr.. Daniel, but 1t was from weak lungs
consumption. 1t was in her family.
She was always puny-lke"
Then the operation you mentioned:"
Abner suggested. "She didn't die from
that?'
Again Fulton deIiberated before
speaking. Finally in response to Abb
ner's steady stare he said: 81 don't
know that thar toGs any operation, but
some folks that was in a position to
know said that the young feller did
give Susy some concoction or other
that wasn't good fer her an may have
hurried the pore gal TO 'er grave I
don't know. l know. though, that I'm
goin' to let whisky alone hereafter. Mr.
Daniel. 1t won't do when it plumb up
sets a man like l was that night I
didn't have any sense at all. For in
stance, you know, ! couldn't recall ex-
actly when 1t was that | last seed
Craig fore he was shot. | made two
different statements, one on the heels
o tother. | said once that | was at
the new wire fence at Craig's an then
at my p1gpen at home. but now that
l remember that it was at my pigpen
that last seed i'm"
| II see. see," Abner said gently.
AN l reckon 1t was to straighten out
all this that you was inquirin about
me at the blacksmith's shop. Abe?"
Eyes. I thought I'd git it straight eft
l run across you an had Il talk"
| An that's what you was lookin' fer
me tonight fer?" Abner led him on gen.
tly.
Yes Abe nodded. II wanted you
to have plumb straight tale didn't
see no use o. lettin' you believe what
| wasn't So"
Abner made no reply. CHANGING
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 1t. 1t was as II 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, Mr.. 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 "Git round t'other side, Abe, an
hep me down with 1t. I'm goin' to
have a feller haul some stove wood
from this mountain tomorrow, an I
; don't want i'm to take this seat along.
It 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 little yawn,
sinking upon the seat and crossing his
I slim legs. "Set down-set down, Abe"
II 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
a tone of real sympathy, that was not
Nltuoul ellCCL On us OBJECT. uljcu HIS
voice when he next spoke.
'"This is sad, sad old world. Abe"
l he began. "Ive been in 1t long time,
| an hain't seed much else but trouble
on every hand. ! wish | could be
. good man, but ! can't always manage
! 1t. I'll feel better tonight. though. eff
I make a clean breast to you about
| = ;e,
e small matter, but it amt to me.
] actually lied to you t'other night. I
e intimated thought Howard was guilty.
/ In tryin' to do a little good-in tryin'
; to find some way to help that pore
:, stricken boy an his heartbroken NAM
] my, drapped into my old tricky way
t O talkin' that l acquired when was
younger an traded lot with keen fell
I lers that had no conscience an killed
! what little had. The truth is, Abe,
l. that | was so anxious to find out ef
s you could throw any light on the mat
+ ter tother night that led out by
accusin' Howard myself. l saw you
r was friendly to i'm. an I knOwed that
o 'u'd set you to talkin'. an it did-you
G know 1t did"
l. Fulton laid his splaying hands on his
& knees to steady them. but he kept his
8 eyes averted. II didn't know you was
Y foolin' me then. Mr.. Daniel; but did
r after thought 1t over" he said. hus-
d kily. Then l seed yore hand, an got
ready fer you. Ef you want the truth
+ you may have it hot from my box, Mr..
II Daniel. l seed what you thought, but
u you hain't got IL smidgen O proof-not
't q smidgen agin me. An eff am tryin'
y to defend myself now it is because I've
got to. I know what you think, an
IS that's enough fer me. l know you are
q one O the keenest men in the country
Is but l amt goin' to let you bully me
" Ef-ef you had any proof you would
Is throw the whole blame on me an cleal
yore man, but you hain't got no proof
the proof all lies somc'r's else"
u "You are right. haint got no proof
| Abe" Daniel returned sadly.
y Daniel paused q moment.
o "Well, Abe" he continued. I'm herr
10 to say that am convinced that folk.
"a can't keep on doin' wrong, even ef they
ot try. The very laws O the universe arr
le ngin It Every day you pick up pape
'e an read how some feller has totee
| crime on his soul fer years an year
IS an finally come forward of his owl
rs free will an dumped it off in open con
t. fession. Abe. yore ma is dead--passe'
~ on-hain't sheT