Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-03-18
Chewing the
Corners
BY WILLETT sToCKARD

So far as appearances went, there
was nothing 10 indicate that the eve
ming on the Slaton ranch was to be
In any way different from countless
other evenings at that season of the
year. The outfit was hard at work at
the time.
After supper they gathered in front
of the house and passed away the
hour or two till early bedtime in con-
versation.
Most OF them were reclining on the
low porch; Carnes and Big Fultz were
seated upon the steps; Holmes and an
other or two were resting upon large.
fiat stones a few yards from the house.
Their conversation was casual. as
usual.
Carnes had developed an unde-
served and unaccountable attack Of
hiccoughs.
nd give $40 to be rid of these
things" he remarked as one convulsed
| his frame.
You can go to bed and sleep them
off," Peters said as he gingerly
touched his lips, but darned if my
mouth don't feel like 1t was as big as
a couple of hams"
Big Fultz, who was the veteran of
The gang. arose slowly. stretched him
self and started into the house.
One by one the others got up,
yawned. and prepared to follow him
all Of them, that Is, with the exception
of Holmes.
Il guess ] got a little something to
say TO you all frstg' he said.
The others halted instantly and
turned toward him, struck less by his
words than by the odd note IN his
voice.
We'll. what's the matter with you?"
Fultz demanded.
Il nave been studying about this for
quite a spell" Holmes began in a con-
strained voice.
Il been studying about whether to
let 1t drop or bring 1t up and have
a settlement about it. | reckon you
all have noticed ,hat l amt been my
self Iately?"
SAY. what is it you're dom all this
ravin ahout?" some one put in.
You know ] went INTO town yes
terday after that load of salt for the
cattle. Well. while I was there |
heard something that showed that
somebody had been telling lies on me.
IT'S somebody on this ranch, some
body right here In this crowd that
I'm talking TO now. and he's a feller
that has always pretended TO be
friend OF mine"
The others pressed about him. silent
and preternaturally serious.
well. come right on out with IT,"
Fultz commanded. Name who you
think 1t was without making all The
rest of US uncomfortable about it,"
"a don't care to say who told them, |
as ] done said. without giving the |
man plenty of time to own up 10 EN- |
and I won't say who they were told |
to; but it was over in town, and il was
last Saturday"
Somebody from this ranch that |
was in town Saturday" Fultz repeat
ed slowly.
Jim. you and Carnes and Peters
was tie only ones from here In town
last week
You don't mean me- I reckon. do
you. HoImes?" Jim spoke up al once.
The other shook his head.
WAS If me. them" Peters demand
ed. 81 reckon you'll have 10 say whetb-
er yop think 1t was or not"
"No. ] didp'r think ii was you. Pc
ters.' Holmes replied kindly.
The situation had become even more
,ense.
Carnes stepped forward. crowding
the rest back. and stood directly in
front of the other. only a step away.
THAT seems to narrow things down
a right smart" he said, in voice that
was even through an effort. You jest
said it was one of US three, and now
you let the others out. The way fig
IRE from that. reckon you must have
some intention of limiting that ii was
ne. Am / reasoning right about it?"
II said l wasn't going to call any
names, and ] didn't" Holmes an
iwered. II didn't think you would
ome out in the open about ii. unless
here wasn't any way for you to crawl
ut of it altogether; and since you've
we'll just settle the
usiness right here and have it over r
WITH" S
u reckon we amt goin' to have no 4
edous trouble about this. Holiness" c
'arnes said. There's a mistake out 1
omewhere, and I'm just as anxious TO
eft at the bottom of II as you are.
"You done right In speaking up s
bout It but think we can straight.
q up any trouble between me and you v
ithout argument"
You might as we'll cut that out" Il
re other retorted angrily. IF there is
as any possible chance In the world
Il being mistake. wouldn't We Il
ken the stand do. The goods are
! you. and you can't back down in hi
~ such way as trying TO make out OF
& oil q mistake"