Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-06-20

rant is out, and a reward OF 81. 900 for his
arrest and detention has been offered by
the bank II is not thought possible that
he can escape. 1t was currently reported
not long since that Smith WAS engaged to
prominent young society woman OF
Lawrencevflle, but this has proved TO be
untrue.
He folded the newspaper and put 1t
in his pocket. The thing was done.
and IL could not be undone. Having put
himself on the wrong side of the law.
there was nothing for it now but a
complete disappearance; exile.
change Of identity. and an absolute
severance with his past.
When he had gone a little distance
he found that the wagon road crossed
the right of way twice before the CON
strectiOn camp came into view. The
last of the crossings was at the tenn
porary material yard for which the
side track had been installed. and from
this point on, the wagon road held to
the river bank. The ditch people were
doubtless getting all their material
over the railroad so there would be fit
tie hauling by wagon. But there were
automobile tracks in the dust. and
shortly after he had passed the mate
rial yard the tramp heard car COM
ing up behind him. II was a six-cylin-
der roadster. and its motor was miss
ing badly.
Its single occupant was big, beard
ed man, wearing his gray tweeds as
one to whom clothes were merely a
convenience. He was chewing a black
cigar, and the unoccupied side of his
mouth was busy at the passing moment
heaping obiurgatiOns upon the limp
ing motor. A hundred yards farther
along the motor gave a spasmUdic gasp
and stopped. When the young tramp
came up. the big man had climbed out
and had the hood open. What he was
saying TO tie stalled motor was pic
turesque enough TO make the young
man stop and grin appreciatively.
Gone bad on your" he inquired
Col. Dexter Baldwin the Timanyoni's
largest landowner and a breeder of
fine horses who tolerated motorcars
only because they could be driven hard
ana were insensate and fit subjects for
abusive language, took his head out
of the hood.
THE third time this morning" he
snapped. I'D rather drive q team of
wind-broken mustangs, any day in the
year"
II used to drive a car while back"
said the tramp. Let me look her
over"
The colonel stood aside, wlping his
hands on a piece of waste, while the
young man sought for the trouble. 1t
was found presently IA a loosened
magnetic wire; found and cleyerly cor
rected. The tramp went around in
front and spun the motor, and when 1t
had been thrOttled down. Colonel Bald
win had his hand in his pocket
That's something like" he said.
THE garage man said 1t was carbon
You take hold as If you knew how.
What's your feeT'
The tramp shook his head and smiled
good-naturedly.
Nothing: for a bit OF neighborly
help like that"
The colonel put his coat on, and in
the act took a better measure of the
stalwart young fellow who looked like
hobo and talked and behaved like a
gentleman.
"You are hiking out to the DAMP" he
asked brusquely.
II am headed that way, yes" was
the equally crisp rejoinder.
Hunting a job7"
AUST that"
"What sort Of jobr
Anything that may happen to be in
sight"
THAT means pick and shovel or
wheelbarrow on a construction job
But there isn't much Office work"
The tramp looked up quickly.
What makes you think I'm hunting
for an office job?' he querled.
your hands" said the colonel
shortly.
The young man looked at his hands
thOughtfully. They were dirty again
from the tinkering with the motor. but
the inspection went deeper than the
CRIME.
I'm not afraid of the pick and
shovel. or the wheelbarrow, and on
some accounts I guess they'd he good
for me- But on the other hand. per-
haps It is pity to spoil middling
good office man 10 make an Indifferent
day-laborer-to say nothing of knock
ing some honest fellow out of the only
job he knows how to do"
Colonel Baldwin swung in behind the
steering wheel of the roadster and held
fresh match to the black cigar
Though he was from Missouri. he had
lived long enough in the high hills to
know better than TO Judge any man
altogether by outside appearances.
Climb in" he said. indicating the
vacant seat at his side "Pm the pres
ident of the ditch company. Perhaps
Williams may he able TO nse you; but
your chances for office work would be
ten TO one in the town"
II don't care TO live in the town. q"
said the man out Of work. mounting to