The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-05-31


Newspaper syndicate)
.rN) you're after our Wild man from
Borneo. are YOU? Well. here
be comes HI! Kid, get d
move on you; here's friend OF yours
from Hays, Kansas.
Sheriff Beardsley felt the Eooa'nu.
nOfod sarcasm in the boss tone ne
had sWaggered q bit; how did nc
know what sort Of fellows ran the NINE
Prop Camp on the Narrow Guage ne
had got on at Mineral Hot spFlhss
and come overland with guide anu
two donkeys-msyhe twas three'
Bert. ouickening his pace came ioT
ward frankly and held out MS manu-
sFrou HAYS. did you say, jim? Wen
I'm sure glad 70 see some one ron,
HAYS. Hov's everybody? Wnat n'u
you say your name is;
"sherih Beardsley," grinning ram
or sheepisnly into the boys n9hes'
blue ewes. I'm uD here after a SACK
er. Know anything about him
search me-" replied Bert inno.
Gently. a, which the men laughed.
Beardsley explained 70 Bert, Vno
made no comment except that they q
counted on getting out some extra
props: the trip would interfere.
But his camp comrades we're out
ppoken in their disgust; Why. any
one can see with half an eye that the
kid's not more than twenty declared
the Boss. who was too fond OF Bei'
20 take II calmly. ITS simply a
cooked up mess BY some OF those 10Y
eiRners: they're conbing the country
Cor men 10 make up their quota
The sheriff found himself noddina
then hastily: We'll, was sent up
here to get him. boys; so I'll have to
take him along
After two years in the mountains
with only a day OF occasionally al
salida, or Mohet, for supplies, Bert
vas interested in everything except
his forthcoming trial.
"Of course. il its up 10 me, I'll 20
I've had some experience; killed more
snakes than any other man IN camp
g I'm busy and one gets away, | Just
take 4 walk till End one in his place
Why? Because they frighten wom
On"
The sheriff, on arriving at Hays, rec
Ommended bail for Bert till trial day;
n the meantime he loitered about the
village. His father and mother had
gone to South America year ago on
business; he had not been 10 Hays
Tor ave years, as he went from school
10 the mountains for his health. You'd
agree that he found il, six feet in his
stockings; bronZed as an Indian, with
On innocent gaze that was a bit dis
concerning till you knew him. So
when the board called Case oi Bert
Carter, Stacker" he arose 10 his feet
marched up front and looked them
squarely in the eyes.
The three men looked at him with
honest admiration, but Mary IaryiN
the secretary. wanted Bert to fee
that she disapproved OF him She was
the prettiest girl in the village, the
etaneheSt patriot, and always ready
10 punish slackers that came her way
Bert could not help feeling her al
titude. At FIRST he was mildly curious
as 70 what peeved the pretty lady but
the more he looked a. her the stinl
OF Il rot under his skin. He wanted
10 ask her outright what was WRONG
with him.
He told the board that he believed
he would he twenty-one the third Of
June. 1915, but in the absence Of fam
iIy records. would swear to nothing
He vas interested 10 know on what
they based their accusation that hi
was . Stacker.
To the board this seemed iail
enough. but the way he said Stacker
made Mary want TO jump 10 her feet
and scream: Just as you might say
bread-and.sugar, mother"
Since the board had brought him "a
Hays at behest OF gossips they mus
bring in his aceusers.
Mrs. TED Livingood swore that he
vas the same age as her Rachel; Ra
ehel was twenty.three last June
Rail Be obliged 10 her mother,
lniekofed some one; twenty.three was
getting on toward old.maidhood. here
Mrs. Ben Hopper swore that he was
the same age as Tommy: twentyont
II May: she knew for the boys had
many q time celebrated their birth
days By swimming in Big Creek. Beri
smiled, then chuckled behind hi:
hand-boy'S birthdays we're like Eas
ter, movable feaSts, when sWimming
was the celebration.
Things were hopeleSsly tangled
birthdays OF towns contemporary
children we're told, as was time OF es,
tabllShins line fences. buying Of live
stock, tearing down Of old landmarks
but no eorroborating testimony.
Mary was in a white heat: How
can he cit there like a lump on A loS
ana the whole town wrangling about
his age?' she whispered.
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