Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-22

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Bill Dale Had Walked, as Gently as
Kitten, Straight Into Trap.
at his side. 1t was foolish, worse
than useless. to show fsHt; dozens
Of rides were staring at him with their
frownins. murderous eyes, and their
bullets would riddle him If he showed
fight. He glanced toward Walt Tur-
ner, kinsman of the Balls.
Turner was laughing openly. Pore
little kittyw
If ever | have the chance" NUT
tered Bill Dale, "Tn thrash YOU for
this cute little joke OF yours"
you won't never have the chanst,'
laughed Walt Turner.
The Balls and the Torreys began
10 close in on all sides. and a solid
ring Of dark ana for the most part
bearded, wickedly triumphant faces
formed itself around Dale. Adam
Balls father the acknowledged leader
OF that band of cutthroats that was
now the Bai-TOrrey faction, glared at
Dale with black eyes that were filed
with the fire of intense hatred then
he seized Dale's revolver and thrust
it inside the waist-hand Of his worn
jeans trousers. Dale felt TIE grip
Of rough hands on his shoulders and
arms. lie fully realized his great
danger; but he stroye to keep all signs
of fear out Of his countenance, and
he was not unsuccessful.
Il presume this IS what you call
taking the law into your own hands,
isn't itf' he said with a smile that
was forced.
"Edzaclyw snapped old Ball. 1--WE
ketched ye TO the law, and we held
We 70 the law, and we turned ye over
to the law; ana 'en, by comics, the
law turned We loose the very next
day! And zen the shurlff he comes
out here and arrests four O. us 1t
the law won't try We and punish We
20 a-shootin' my son Adam in cold
blood, 10y comics, wen try We and
punish We TO a-doin' It. But We
needn't be skeered none at all. Ye're
plumb shore to cit iestice. I'll prom
Use We jestice.'
you've evidently overlooked the
fact that another man confessed TO
the killing, and that that was why
they liberated me-" said Dale.
ats some cussed frame-up," snared
the leader of the gang. "No man on
earth don't like no other man well
enough To- that. Asides, you're the
one at killed my son Adam. by gon-
MES, and you're the one at must suf-
fer 70 IT, Right here onder this here
warnut tree were a-gon' to hold cote
and have yore trial, by jedge and jury,
and you'll shore git what's a-comin'
n
Bill Dale cut in with some bitter
ness: "And you'll be the judge and
your plans have already been laid, and
I'm to be hanged by the neck until
dead ell? Well, you'll pay dearly for
it, / promise you. We always have
to pay for what we get, you know.
The Moreands and the Littlefords will
be quick to settle the account. You
know that"
NO" old Ball disagreed holly, II
don't know that"
He turned TO the others.
"Set down, boys. It's the same price
as standin'. The jury will please set
over thar" pointing to his right. THE
pris'ner and his guards will please set
right over thar" pointing to his left.
"The hon'rable jedge, which same is
me, will please set right thar" indi-
eating a spot at the base Of the gnarled
walnut. The rest" he finished, twill
set anywhar they d-n pleases. Set
down, men,"
His orders were obeyed Dale found
himself sitting on the ground between
two pairs Of mOuntaineers and facing
line Of twelve mountaineers-the so
called jury. To his left was the self
appointed judge, and to his right
lOunged a score or more of men whose
attention was then being turned to-
ward a jug Of fiery new whisky that
had never been near TO n revenue
stamp or anything else that was hon
est. The jug Travelled rapidly from
one hairy mouth to another.
Old Ball passed the jug to n men,
Der Of the Jury" and announced:
well, dammit, cote's open now"
kitty, kitty, kitty" tainted Walt
Turner. pore little kitty"
CONTINUED next week.
Green Music Easv on Eve.