Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-02-02

you're AFRAID 10 open your trap ABOUT
Longstreth. Get me straight, Lara
ME. For cause I'd throw a gun ON
him just as quick as on any rustler
In Pecos."
talks cheap" replied Laramie,
making light of his bluster, but the
red was deeper in his face.
"Sure. 1 know that" Duane said.
"And usually / don't talk. Then it's
not well known that Longstreth
owns the Hope So7"
Reckon it's known in Pecos, all
right. But Longstreth's name isn't
connected with the Hope So. Blandy
runs the place"
"That Blandy. His faro games
crooked, or I'm locoed bronch. That
Hope So place ought to be run by q
good fellow like you, Laramie"
"Thanks," replied he; and Duane
imagined his voice a little husky.
Didn't you hear used to-run It?
I built the place, owned it for eleven
years."
"Well, I'll be doggoned." 1t was
indeed Duane's turn to be surprised,
and with the surprise came a glim-
mering. "I'm sorry you're not there
now. Did you sell outT"
mo. Just lost the place."
Laramie was bursting for relief
now-to talk, to tell. Sympathy had
made him soft. at was two years
ago-two years last March," he went
on. 81 was in big cattle deal with
Longstreth. We got the stock-an
my share, eighteen hundred head,
was rustled off. / owed Longstreth
He pressed me. 1t came to a law
sultan Twas ruined"
1t hurt Duane to look at Laramie.
He was white, and tears rolled down
his cheeks. Duane saw the bitterness,
the defeat, the agony Of the man.
But the reason he did not openly ac-
cuse Longstreth, the secret of his
reticence and fear-these Duane
thought best to try to learn at some
later time.
lizard luck! 1t certainly was
tough" Duane said. "But you're a
good loser. And the wheel turns !!
Now, Laramie, here's what. 1 need
your advice. I've got little money.
But before / lose it / want to invest
some. Buy some stock, or buy an
interest in some rancher's herd.
Sure you must know a couple Of men
above suspicion"
"Thank God I do" he replied,
feelingly. "Frank Morton an 81
thinner, my friends an neighbors all
my prosperous days, an friends still.
You can gamble on Frank an 81.
But If you want advice from me
don't invest money in stock now"
"Why2"
Because any new Teller buyin'
stock these days will be rustled quick
er n he can say Jack Robinson. The
old ranchers are wise an sore
They'd fight If they"
"What?" Duane put in as he
paused. "What d make them fight?
"a leaderw
"Howdy thar, Jim" doomed a big
voice.
A man of great bulk, with rudy
merry face, entered the room.
Hello, Morton" replied Laramie
''Td introduce you to my guest here
but I don't know his name"
"Hawl Haw! Thet's all right. Few
men out hyar go by their right
Names"
"Say, Norton" put in Duane, Lar
annie gave me bunch you'd be
good man to tie to. Now, I've little
money and before lose 1t I'd like tt
invest 1t in stock"
Morton smiled broadly.
"I'm on the square," Duane said
bluntly. "If you fellows never size VI
your neighbors any better than yot
have sized newell, you won't ge
any richer"
1t was enjoyment for Duane t.
make his remarks to these meI
pregnant with meaning. Morton
showed his pleasure, his interest, bu
his faith held aloof.
"Wal, stranger, to come out hat
footed, you'd be foolish to buy cattle
now. Better 60 back across the Peco
where the rustlers amt so strong"
"All hear is rustlers, Morton" re
piled Duane, with Impotence. "Yo'
see, I haven't ever lived long In I
rustler-run county. Who heads tn
gang, anyway"
Morton looked at Duane with cur
iously amused smile, then snapped hi
big jaw as If to shut in impulsiv'
, words.
Look here, Morton. 1t stands t.
reason, no matter how strong thes
, rustlers are, how hidden their work
however involved with supposed,
honest men--they can't last. Their
are lot of men around Falrdale VIII
re afraid Of their shadows-afraid t
, be out after dark-afraid to opel
their mouths. But you're not one
What you need out here is some nev
, blood. Savvy what ! meanf"
, oval, / reckon I do" he replied
looking as If a storm had blown owe
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