The Washington herald., 1921-08-28

. shoulders
enough out of me, already. But wouldn't
60 to ma law, anyways; I'm Arish.''
Are you? I'm obliged to know it, I'm
sure. whatever 1t is. But what d y want.
them
Amos smiled genially.
The damage fer them sewin' machines
he replied, you said was forty dollars.
want a sewin' machine and four brnnsrd
and sixty dollars. Then my ticket - Gris-
tiana that was forty cents yet" be rsreated
with the glibness of one who is repeating
well-learned lesson, and I've spent sroe
dollars and fifty cents more fer poari and
lodgin' goin after you. -Four hunnerd and
sixty dollars, and forty cents is fou- hun
nerd and sixty dollars and forty cents. -Four.
hunnerd and sixty dollars and forty cents.
and sree dollars and fifty cents, is four
hunnerd and sixty sree dollars and n:Eetv
cents. / want that machine and four
hunnerd and sixty -sree dollars and L'nety
cents"
Conners' expression changed from the
puzzled to the amused.
''Oh, you're fool" he laughed. Get out
of my way"
He made one step toward the wagon, but
strong, hairy hand met his chest and
pushed him back. Amos meant frmness
merely, but the result was almost that Of
blow. Corners stopped abruptly. painting
hard.
Get out of my way" be thundered
again raising a fist on which the diamond
was still flashing.
-Four bunnerd and sisty- -sree dollars and
ninety cents" repeated Amos, in a sing
song. And if you don't give it, must
make you
You make me! I'D like to know how"'
Il guess I'll have to fgh: you oncet,"
said Amos calmly.
You fight. Why, you clumsy fool
And there Corners stopped, for a great,
red fist at the end Of long arm was waxging
at the tip of bis thick nose.
Try it once Already" suggested Amos,
smiling.
What Conners would have liked 10 do
there is no saying. Perhaps at first,
he pltled his dupe as thoroughly as he
despised him. In any case, however, the
presence of the fist served to recall his
recent tumble into the road and to restore
Il will try t." be shouted. and for q
third time raised his flashing fist
Amos, as it descended, caught It fast and,
with a leap. closed in. Immediately Con-
ners found both his wrists firmly pinioned
in the farmers left hand.
Ma" said Amos I'm one Of the
wehrlos, tell you. II you hit me first oncet
l couldn't resist you: it would be again the
Good Book rule. But there amt no rule
agin me hittin' you first ready, so we must
start that way"
Faith without works Dreisbach held In
scorn. He translated his text Immediately
into action. and administered a resounding
slap upon Conners' broad cheek.
Nov" he resumed in a matter. of fact
tone, take your coat of still and come on
But Conners, taught a new regard for
his rusti" antagonist instantly assumed
a fighting attitude.
II guess | can lick you with nv cost
on" he growled. Come ahead.'
Not so Amos. ''We-el, I'm f.. lahiu.
mine Off" he said.
With a sweep of the long arm, he last his
brown coat Of almost clerical cut Ly the si,le
OF the road, and placed his broad brimmed
black hat upon it. Next, be quietly rolled
his shirt sleeves far above the pIiaut elbows.
ripped open his shirt at the tase Of his
strong neck, and 90 stood ready for the fray.
DEADY, indeed. With the putting aside
~ Of that coat, which was the emblem Of
peace, ten years dropped from his shoulders.
His back Strengthened; bis body swayed
gracefully; his head, beneath its rounded
shock Of flowing brown hair, rose proudly,
the chin up, and the very hairs Of che heard
bristling. Again be was breathing, through
quivering nostrils, the close atmosphere Of
the old railroad gymnasium; again he saw
its lights and heard the cheers of unlocking
friends; again he faced a rival in the ring
Nor was the antagonist, dimly AVA. G:
the change and endeavoring to m.ct it,
wholly unworthy. Corners had swept away
his own hat, and, though he had not taken
off his coat, had compromised by buttonins
it tightly about him. He appeared, after
all, the fighting animal. Under the bristliny
close cropped, black hair of a bullet head
was a mere patch of forehead. the brows
beetling, his eyes twin. glowing beads. His
heavy nose was matched by an equally heavy
jaw, and under his crisp black moustache
he was endeavoring to sneer until he showed
fangs as strong and yellow a. those of q
wolf. His whole body was q knotted mass
Of muscle; he must have had an advln.ase
Of twenty pounds in weight and SIX iachos
In height, and. though his bovine neck
puftsd out above bis collar. he vas clsirIy 10