Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-09-08

mount the barriers, do his work well
and fight his fight as a good man
fights, and win-if it were not for the
charge of having shot and killed Black
Adam Ball 1t seemed to him now
that that must end all that was worth
while for him. For that was more
than difficulty, more than a barrier.
He firmly believed that 1t had been
his bullet that had finished the earthly
existence of the giant hillman. True,
it had been an accident. But how was
he to convince a jury that it had been
an accident? Would the jury take his
word for it? The jury would not, Of
course.
The mysterious third shot, that had
come from a little distance-but he
could not reasonably expect deliver
ance from that source. If only he had
held down his abominable, savage tenn
per; If only he had
Major Bradley interrupted his un-
pleasant train of thought.
mo brooding there, my boyI"
| Dale looked up. The old attorney,
as neat in appearance as though he
had not even seen a saddle that day,
was standing just outside the hate
| full door of bars Beside him stood
whiteclad negro boy with a big tray
of steaming food on one hand and
pot of steaming coffee in the other.
The jailer came and unlocked the
door; also he very considerably
brought another stool and fresh water
The major entered the cell, and the
negro followed
An amused twinkle appeared in
Dale's eyes as Bradley put the tray
down on the soapbOx. There was
enough for five threshing-machin
hands! The black boy was sent to the
front door to wait.
II thought you'd be as hungry as
am, and I'm as hungry as poor old
By Heck ever wasl" laughed the
major, as he sat down and began to
pour the coffee. "Riding always made
me as hungry as a bear in April. Light
right into it, Dale. There's nothing
like a good steak, for any meal, when
fellow is half starved; eh, Dale?
Try that one, won't your I told Massen-
Egale I'd cause his beheadment If these
steaks weren't perfect. Massengale," he
added, runs the hotel here, the Eu-
reka Funeral ParlOrs, and the One
Price Clothing Emporium"
II wonder" smiled Bill Dale, what
he does with his spare timer"
Bradley laughed, his eyes twinkling
merrily. Dale found that he too was
hungry, now that savory odors had
invaded his nostrils. A minute later,
and he had pronounced his steak deli
cious
''Massengale shall not suffer be-
headment," said the major; and he
began to carve his own steak.
+ 1t was an excellent meal, the grim
surroundings Notwithstanding. When
it was over, the negro boy came and
took away the dishes, and received
with a gladstone grin the two silver
coins that were given him. Then Brad,
ley produced a handful of cigars, and
two of them were promptly lighted.
'rNow, sir" said the old lawyer, az
feel like talking. Let's see, you gave
your man Hayes orders to carry the
work right along as though nothing
had happened, didn't you? And the
sheriff is to go back the day after to
morrow to arrest two or three Balls
and two or three Torreys, to see what
, he can find out concerning the 'dyna
miting Of the two buildings and the
trestle-today was not a good time tt
make the arrests. Am I correct"
Correct" nodded Dale.
Bradley regarded his cigar thought
fully.
Now" he said in a low tone, sud
denly lifting his gaze to the others
face, tell me about the thing thai
brought you here. Don't omit even the
slightest detail. Nobody can oyerheal
you if you will hold your voice down
These walls are very thick, you see
Well, you may begin"
In carefully guarded tones, Bill
Dale gave straightforward account
. of the whole unfortunate occurrence
) The major listened intently to every
word of it, so intently that he allowed
his cigar to go out. Often he stopped
his client and asked him to repeat GER
tain portions of the story in order
that he might be doubly sure of &
, point.
AS Major Bradley rose to ask the
jailer to come and let him out, Dale
muttered downhearteC!y:
, TELL me, major: what do you thinl
! of my case? 1t looks rather bad
, doesn't it?"
, mot bad enough to warrant you
{ feeling blue over it, my boy!" sale
q Bradley, showing his polished white
: teeth in smile that was meant to be
3 reassuring. Il think Wen get you ou
of it. Anyway, don't worry about Il
: Worry will kill a cat, they say! YoI
! didn't kill Adam Ball. John MorelanC
Lad taught you how to shoot pretty
5 well; and if you took even half a!
! careful an aim as you think you did
= you couldn't have missed Balls hat b,
[ SO much.
t 81 have an idea, Dale" he resumed
j ''that If we knew who fred that thirC
t shot we'd know who did for Ball. 1
j might have been done in order to saw
e you. Ball was noted, 1 understand, al
r an unfair and tricky fighter. He nigh
have been trying to trick you wher
4 he rose and fell groaning. Perhaps h,
0 meant to draw you into the open, tina
he might have a clean shot at you
1 Eh?"
e Dale shook his head goomily.
Hardly plausible, major. In tina
!. event there was nothing against tn,
# man whose bullet finished Ball, be
= cause he did it to save me; and h
a would have owned TO 1t and prevented
). my arrest. A man who liked me wei
q enough to kill Ball to save my lif
8 would like me well enough to confes
@ and save me from suffering for it.
d am sure of that, major"