Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-11-02

reared, clattered up TO the edge of the
pavement nondescript mass of
wheels and ragged and dust-deluged
canvas. A form sprang out. Covered
with dirt, face and hands splotched
and speckled with oil and grease,
bright glowing eyes only showing IN
irresistible animation, there was added
to the already startling presentment
humanity in its strangest phase.
The vehicle was what might have
been an automobile. 1t had solid rub
Der tires, it was uncOuth of shape, odd
and old of make. yet it had come rip
ping down the street like a cyclone.
Across the back was what had once
been a black-lettered strip of white
muslin. Barely traceable was the
legend: 1.-THE Desert Pal Home or
Bust %
The Desert Pal" spoke its owner,
broad of smile and resonant of tone
"twenty-three days from the old alkali
stretch. Home, t'iat's here. You don't
any of you remember me? I'm Bart
Morton; left here ten years ago. made
Il few thousands, got homeSick, traded
my camp togs and horse for that old
auto and I've hit the end OF the trail"
Only few of the townsmen recalled
the homeless vagabond boy living here,
there, anywhere, over a decade since.
1t was far home cry, for he had never
had any. Somehow, however, his
brusque bearing, his fearless ways,
the tang of courage and venture to his
words stirred up the crowd. The old
est inhabitant warmed up to a friend
ly chat, the youngest one admiringly
regarded man and vehicle that had
spun half way across the continent,
homely, yet sturdy-loOking. arouSing
rare fancies of daring and variety in
the Juvenile Imagination.
For three days man and machine were
the current topics of interest. Then
Bart Morton cleaned UP the old rattle
trap, donned a more modern attire and
became a familiar figure around the
one hotel Of the place.
1T got lonely out there and I'd
about reached my ambition-five thou
sand dollars" reported Bart. I'D like
TO buy into some respectable business
and settle down among real humans"
Then one day Bart asked the hotel
keeper what had become Of Evan
Hughitt. you know / worked for him
for year and ne was like a father to
me-" he said.
Evan Hughitt was dead, came the
information. lie had died five years
previous. His wife and Juanita. their
daughter, lived at the old place, hut
for three years had been fighting day
by day, inch By inch, the claim Of
Wolfe Dysart.
The blood rushed to the face of Bart
Morton and he uttered what resem-
name of the man who had nearly
horsewhipped him TO death, who rad
led Evan Hughitt into evil ways,
"DySart is under indictment in this
county and does not dare to appear
here. but through a scheming lawyer
he is keeping Mrs. Hughitt in litiga-
ton, hoping to finally force her &c
give up a part Of the property" eX-
planned the landlord.
Two days later Bart Morton saw
Juanita, the child of eight, now the
girl of eighteen. Within the week 1t
was known that he had supplied to the
lawyer of Mrs Hughitt what was
most needed-money to battle the un-
scrupulous Dysart.
Often a pleasant smile followed the
Desert Pal as Bart would whiz by,
Juanita by his side. If Bart had not
yet found a home he had found love,
which eventually always leads 10 the
happy hearth.
One night Bart, returning from the
Hughitt place, CHANGED To pass the Of
fee Of the lawyer Of Mrs. Hughtt.
CHANGING up at its lighted front he
checked his machine and set his teeth
hard. For the first time in ten years
he saw his old soulless prosecutor.
Wolfe Dysart The lights went ont
and a moment later Dysart came hur-
rying TO the street: package under his
arm. a Quick suspicion came to the
ready mlnd OF tart. Inc WoItef Hau
vpntured here to steal documents upon
the production of which rested the
widows chance OF winning her case.
Wolfe Dysart swung into the saddle
Of a melted steed standing at the
curb In a fash he Was p!unging down
the street n an instant Bart had
urged the Desert Pal into action. The
horse turned into the highway leading
out Of town.
Dysart glanced anxiously behind
him and urged up his sleed, Bart rea-
lied that MS suspicious were aroused.
Along the sides Of the road for mile
ran deep ditcaes Whore they ceased
the horseman could turn INTO the tins
ber where Bart could not follow.
Everything depended on his oyertaking
the man within thar allie.
Kloppetty-Blop' the horse WIZ.
whan2 the Desert Pal, nearer. near-
er Dysart WIS fully aroused no~.
Bart reached behind him with e
hand. It was to seize 81 Iariar, faith-