Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-01-06
CHAPTER VII
The Republican Candidate

The Republican Candidate
Amos and Kent caught Charlie by
either arm as his hands clutched for
Levine's throat. Marshall did not
stir out Of his chair. During the re-
.mainder Of the episode his face wore
q complacent expression that, though
Lydia did not consciously observe 1t
at the time, returned to her in after
years with peculiar significance.
: l"Here! Here! This won't do, my
young Indian p cried Amos.
! LET me get at him." painted
Charlie.
! Lydia ran over to the Indian.
. Charlie" she pleaded, looking up
into his face, ''you mustn't hurt Mr..
Levine. He's my best friend. And
/ 1t is not polite to come to call at my
! house and make row. this way"
&: That's right" commented Marshall.
do your fighting outdoors"
John had not stirred from his chair.
He looked up at the Indian and said
T. slowly and insolently, "Get out Of
here! You know what I can do to
you, don't you? Well. get out before
I do it!
: Charlie returned Johns look of con-
tempt with one of concentrated ha-
tired. Then he turned to Kent.
"Come on, Kent" he growled and
followed by his friend, he marched
out of the kitchen door.
"Whew!" said Amos. talk about
civilizing Indians!"
Lydia was trembling violently.
'"What made him act So Did you
hurt his sister, Mr.. Levinef"
Didn't even know he had sister,"
returned John. coolly relighting his
cigar.
Marshall rose and stretched his fat
body. swell, you serve up too much
excitement for me, Amos. I'll be get
ting along. Come Margery."
"Wait and we'll all have some COT
fee" said Lizzie. Land. I'm all
shook up"
"Pshawl 'twan't anything. Kent
should have had more sense than to
bring him in here" said Levine.
"Why. he's usually perfectly lovely"
protested Lydia. "Goes to parties
with the girls and everything"
First boy, white or Indian, that
comes to call on you before you're
eighteen, I'll turn the hose on" said
Dave, winking at the men.
Amos and John laughed and Dave
made his exit in high good humor.
When the door had closed Amos
said: ANY real trouble with the boy.
,John?"
"Shucks, mol" returned Levine.
''Forget itw
And forget 1t they did while the No
vember dusk drew to a close and the
red eyes of the stove blinked warm
'er and warmer glow. About eight
O'Clock, after light supper, Levine
started back for town. He had not
been gone five minutes when q shot
cracked through the breathless night
air.
Amos started for the door but Liz
zie grasped his arm. "You stay right
here, Amos, and take care Of the
house."
"What do you s'pose 1t WASP" whis-
pered Lydia. II wish Mr.. Levine was
here. He's sheriff"
THAT'S what I'm afraid of-that
something's happened to him-be-
tween his being sheriff and his other
interests. I'll get my, lantern"
"Wait! I'LL have to fill it for you."
said Lydia.
So 1t was that while Amos fumed
and Lydia sought vainly for a new
wick, footsteps sounded on the porch,
the door opened and Billy Norton and
his father supported John Levine into
the living-room. Levine's overcoat
showed a patch Of red on the right
breast.
"For Gods sakel Here, put him on
the couch" gasped Amos.
"Bnly, take Levine's bicycle and get
the doctor here" said Pa Norton.
"Hot water and clean cloth, LYDIA"
said Amos. Lets get his clothes of.
Norton"
Lydia trembling violently could
scarcely carry the crushed ice from
Lizzie to her father. No one spoke
until the gentle oozing of the blood
yielded to the freezing process. Then
Amos said in low voice to Pa Nor
ton:
"what happened?"
"Can't say. Billy and were COM
ing home from town when we heard
the shot ahead of us. 1t took us
minute or two to come up to Levine.
He was standing dazed like. said the
shot had come from the lake shore
way and that's all he knew about it."
The beat OF horses hoofs on the