American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-03-10

so you're Bill Dale. Well, D. My
SOUL"
the big and sunbrowned man with all
the force of a bullet.
80 you're Bill Dale. Well, D my
soul"
Don't, buddy, don'ti"
The boy went on: "My name, @s
Henery. | come here with a Christ
mas gif' TO- you" He pointed a dirty
foretinger toward the bundle in his
lap. "But you amt a-goin' to git it
now"
"Why?" Dale asked smilingly.
why! Shoes ATS why. Hi,
did ever have any shoes afore7 Bare
footed as a rabbit. That's me. Bare
footed as a d-n' rabbitF'
SON." protested Bill Dale, you're
entirely 90 small to swear. You
mustn't do it, y'know."
"Yes," quickly, "rm small, I'm small
to my age. I'm done twelve year old.
I've been measured TO- the go-backs."
Measured for the go-backs.'
laughed Dale, whats that?"
why" sOberly, when We grow lit
Ter Std o. bigger, we've got the go
backs. Nav, she measured me with
a yarn string out o. a stocking which
had been wore by a woman seventy
seven-year old, and 'en she wrapped
the yarn string around the door-hlnge.
I'll gin to grow higher, or die, one or
t'other, afore the string wears out ol
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"
IT'S Lyss Balls boy" answered
LittlefOrd, puckering his brows.
whats he a-doin' here? T"
HE brought a Christmas present
for me-" said Dale, but he has de-
cided that ! shan't have It,"
THE only Christmas present you
could git from a Ball would be a bul.
let" frowned Ben L~ittleford.
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
loaded and. cooked revolverl
by George" exclaimed Bill Dale.
"What'd tell YEP smiled Ben Lit
tleford.
An hour later Dale and a score of
Littlefords and Morelands entered the
big downstairs room Of the Office and
supplies building. The defeated Balls
and Turner'S lounged here and there.
sullen and silent, On the rOugh-board
floor of their temporary prison.
Dale walked into their midst and
addressed them quietly.
you'll admit, won't you, that rye
got what you fellows call the dead
wood on your And that it lies in nv
power to send every single one of you
to the state penitentiary?"
=" reckon So" admitted Adam Ball's
father. He was pretty we'll cowed, and
90 were the others.
But I've decided not to do IL" went
on Bill Dale. Il can't forget that this
Is Christmas day.. You may have your
liberty as a present from the man
you've tried so hard and so unjustly
to kill. After the doctor gets through
with Little Tom and Saul Littleford,
he will come here to dress all your
wounds; then our guards will give you
BACK your rifles. and you may 20
home. I'm not asking you to promise
me anything, you understand. I'm
simply trusting the human heart, and
don't believe I'll be disappointed"
Dale turned { o John MOreland.
Moreland's rugged lace wore a puz-
zied, displeased smile.
III your brother David was here"
Bill Dale demanded with a bare shade
OF anger In his voice. what do you
think he'd do about lit It's Christ
mas day. isn't Itf"
The old AiorelaRd chiefs cOunte-
as;se saftenedi his grey eyes bright