Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-03-14
The Settling Of the Sage
By HAL G. EVARTS
usruks cwusmb Hal Evus

! this statement. There was no tther
pnssihle reply that. Harris could
| make
"Of course" the sheriff said rehec-
lively. "cf course there's just
chance That Cal lied to me-"
"He lied all right" Carp prophesied
I'D bel my shirt he'll stand 10 pay
the price for every nun that's cited on
! that list"
| "rshaw." the sheriff deprecated
| That's dead against the law. that Is
"He will de- It," Carson predicted
If ! was on that list I'd he moving
for somewheres long ways remote
| from here"
| Then you'd better be starting" AL.
| den counseled mildly. "For Harris
was Just telling me that your name
had got mixed up with II. Morrow's
name has sprung up. too. Cal seemed
mystified as TO how II had come about
| for he says you and Morrow never
| rode with the others on the list He
| couldn't figure how this thing come to
starf"
"Figure" Carp snapped "He fig
| ured 1t out himself. who else? Are
| yun going to sfund for his putting a
| price On every man he happens to
| dislike?'
| 4'Eut he says he don't know any.
thing about 1t" the sheriff expostulat-
1I ~ I hn I'd
| like to know for sure II thought he
VAS actually set to pay those rewards
| I'd have to ride over and demonstrate
| with Cal"
One or two who had been drinking
| with Carp moved over to speak With
| others and failed to return. He was
| left standin alone at the bur. lie
shrugged his shoulders and went out
"Foks ars considerable like sheep
| Brill observed II occurred to him
| that In every saloon and In every
hunk house within a hundred miles
| the topic OF conversation was the
| same.
He lowered one lid as he looked ut
| the sheriff and jerked his head to-
ward C?rson.
.He's hruke--and reformed" he
| said "Abs0utely."
The sheriff drew Carson aside
IF you're wanting job I'll stake
you to an outfit and feed you through
till spring Forty month from then
on I'll need parcel Of deputies.
likely. after that
you've got one" Carson stated
.I'li sign now"
The storekeeper. the sheriff and the
new deputy stood at one end Of the
bar.
ITS queer that folks don't see the
real object of this rumor." Brill OBJ
served.
Its object Is to clean out the hard
est citizens in the country" Carson
said That's why they're named
Why else7"
"The object Is to clean up the rest
OF the country first" Brill said.
Carson grunted his disbelief.
"If Harris only wanted 10 wipe out
those on the list he wouldn't 20 to
all this fuss" Brill explained. He'd
just put on an extra bunch OF hands
|. and raid the Breaks himself Swear
he caught them running off bunch
OF Three Bar cows. Simpler and con
siderable less expense"
"Then what's the object OF this
bounty?" Carson insisted.
That's aimed at the doubtful
folks" Brill stated. "Folks that was
on the fence--like you This death list
makes them spooky and they turn
into good little citizens In me round
+, OF the clock. II leaves the worst ones
outside without a friend. Every one
lined up solid behind the law. Pub
lie sentiment will start running strong
/ against those outside. Then tn be
easy for the sheriff and bunch OF
deputies-like yOu-fo clean The coun-
try up from end to end. with the whole
communlt. backing your play"
Carson considered this for some
time.
"Well, can furnish the deputies"
ne said at last Boys that are strong
for law and order from first to last"
i've got about all need" the sher.
lfr said "A dozen or SO Mostly old
friends of yours. I've picked EN- up
| on and off In the last two weeks
They're strong for upholdng the last
letter of The law-jnsi like you said"
"A dozen?' Carson asked How'll
! you raise the money to pay that many
at once?"
RIO BE CONTlNuEDo