Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-11-01
CHAPTER VII


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In the little strip of forest which di
vided the sown from the sown wan.
dered two boys In earnest ver
They seemed to be Boy Trappers, and
from their backioads OF steel-traps
n of them might have been Frank
Merriwell. and the other Dead-Shot
Dick. The boy VINO resembled Frank
Merriwell was Raymond Slmms. The
other, whose overalls were frlnged,
who wore a cartridge belt about bis
person, and carried Ratchet, revolver,
and a long knife with a deerfoot
handle. and who SO studIously looked
like Dead-Shot Dick. was our old
friend Of the road gang. Newton Bron-
son. Newton put down his load, and
sat upon a stump TO rest.
Raymond Simms was dImly CON
scious of a change In Newton since
the day when they met and helped Sc
lect Colonel WoodruT's next years
seed corn. Newton's mother had o
mothers confidence that Newton was
now a good boy. who had been led
astray by other boys. but had re
formed. Jim Irwin had a distinct
feeling of optimism. Newton had
quit tobacco and beer. casually stat
ing to Jim that he was 'ln training"
Since Jim had shown his ability to ad.
minister a knockout to that angry
chauffeur, he seemed to this hobble
dehoy peculiarly a proper person for
athletic condolences.
Newton's mind seemed gradually
filling up with new lnterests Jim at
trIbuted much of this to the clear
mountain atmosphere which surround
ed Raymond Slmms. the ignorant bar
harlan driven out OF his native hills
by a feud. Raymond was OF the open
spaces, and refused to hear fetid
things that seemed out OF place In
them.
AS the reason for Newton's improve
ment In manner OF living, Raymond.
Of his own experience, would have
had no hesitation In naming the
school and the schoolmaster.
Il wouldn't go back on a friend"
said Newton, seated on the stump
with his traps on the ground az he
feet, 'the way you're going back on
me-"
you got no call to talk halfway
the mountain boy. "How'm ]
yoin' back on your"
eve was goin' to trap all winter"
a~sseverated Newton, land next win.
ter we were goln' up In the north
woods together"
you know" said Raymond somber
y. that we caln't run any trap line
do whut we got to do to hep Mr..
Newton sat mute as one having no
'ejoinder.
Mr.. Jim" went on Raymond. needs
m the hep every kid In this settle
rent kin give him. He's the best
riend / ever had. I'm a pore lgnerant
10Y, an he teaches me how to do
hings that will make me something"
"Darn II all !" said Newton. J
"You know" said Raymond. that
ou'd think mahgty small of me, II I'd
Mr.. Jim Irwin"
We'll, then" replied Newton, sefz
ng his traps and throwing them \
his shoulder. come on with the 0
and shut upl What1l we do a
hen the school board gets Jennie u
'oodrur to revoke his certificate and a
lake him quit teachin', hey?' q
~Nobodyll even do that" said Ray a
lond. I'D set In the schoolhouse do :
18th my rife and shoot anybody that'd
ONE to th'ow Mr. Jim outen the
Not In this country" said Newton. !,
This amt a gun country" u
But IL orto be either a justice ken u
y, or q gun kentry." replied the II
ounfain boy. 1T stands to reason II "
ust be one r the otheh. Newton"
mo. II don't neither" said Newton
,gmatically.
why should they th'ow Mr.. Jim o.
item the SCHOOL," inquired Raymond. u
Ain't he feachin' US right7' dl