The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-02-23
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torohnger toward the bundle in bis
lsR "But. sou amt sargoin' to git it,
now" .7.-:.y~.' a. SIX -
"Why?", Dale asked slnilingly.
"Whyl Shoes ats why. Hill,
did I ever have any shoes afore? Bare
footed as q rabbit. That's me. Bare
footed as d-n' rabbltl''
"Son," protested, Bill Dale, you're
entirely too small to swear. You
mustn't do Il, y'know."s ~,
YES" quickly, I'm small. I'm small
to my age. I'm done twelve, year old.
I've been measured 10 the gobacks."'
Measured : for Is the eobacks,"
laughed Dale, whats thaty,
! ,'Why,"- soberly,t "When ye grow lit
Ter std o bigger, we've got the go
backs. Nav. she measured me with
yarn string out O. a stocking which
!. had been wore by a woman seventy
seven-year old, and 'en she wrapped
the var string around the door.hinge.
I'll gin to grow higher, or die, one or,
t'other, afore the string wea rs out on
the hinge. Bound to-
Again Dale laughed. Mountain su-
perstitions always amused him. Ben
Littleford came into. the. room, and
Dale arose and faced him. -"
"Do you. know this boy, Benz"
ITS Lyss Balls boy" answered
Littleford, ,puckering his brows.
whats he n-doin' here?"
"He brought d Christmas present
for me-" said Dale, ''but he has de-
cided that / shan't have it,:
1.-THE only Christmas, present you
could git from Ball would be a bull
let" frowned Ben Littleford
He stepped to the rocker and took
the bundle from the boys lap; ne
took away the ,crumpled brown pa
per-and there. in his hands was a
ioaded' and cooked reyolverl
by George -. exclaimed Bill Dale.
Fl ''What'd I tell @ya2',, SMILED Ben Lit,
tleford. Il - 49,.
I An hour later DaleEi ana a score Of,
Littlefords and M6tslandsS entered the
big downstairs room " the Office and
supplies building. The defeated Balls
and Turner's lounged. here and there
sullen and silent :o2 the ouggt77board
floor Of their templrary prison.
Dale walked Into their midst and
addressed them quietly. =,
:, 'sYoull admtE won't you, that I've
got what you fellows call the dead.
wood on you? A1dethat IT lies in my
power td<send every single one Of you
to the state penites1ttary?"' -:
"llreckon So" admitted Adam Balls
father. He was pretty well cowed, and
| 10 were the others ~'
'But I've decided not to do Invent
on, Bill Dale. II can't forget that this
is Christmas day: Fou may have your
liberty as q present from the man
yOu've.tried SO hard and. SO unjustly
to KILL After the doctor gets through
with Little Tom and Saul Lfttleford,
he will come hero to dress all your
wounds; then our guards will give you
back your rifles, and you may 60
home. I'm not asking you to promise
me anything, you understand. I'm
simply trusting the human heart, and
I don't. believe I'll be disappointed"
Dale turned to- John Moreland.
Moreland's rugged face Wore puzr
lied, dlspieased smlle.. 4...s.. -
III your brother David was here"
Bill Dale demanded with q bare shade
Of anger tn his voice, what do you
think he'd do%about It? It's Christ
| al sx,,,Ska e. 2Ss - .".
:, The old Moreland chiefs counte-
nance softenedsS'his grey eyes bright
ened. Yes" he said, Sits Christmas
day. Bill" he looked toward the Balls
merry. Christmas. gentlemen" he
said....> 1. = ,.-.,3.r ~ .. . ::
Adam r BARS father immediately
asked him for a chew # tobacco +.
! i /. -