The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-27
CHAPTER xXXVII.

II was known, now-from tho
Wilderness Station agent - that
Ann had taken her son and Nance
Jordan to the city. That . stranger
in IN imposing automobile, with .
man in uniform at the wheel, had
twice visited the Haskell place was
also known. And that was all.
But about JET Todd and his &C.
tivities the neighborhood seemed
better informed, although the talk
was mostly in cautious whispers,
sly, half-humorous observations,
and thinly yelled suggestions.
Pappy Giles shook his head dubi-
ously over some Of the things which
he heard at the store. And II was
noticed that he treated certain loud
voiced, staggering customers with
grave and, &c far % possible, silent
respect. The old storekeeper was
sometimes awakened 1t night BY
the sound Of horses passing down
the hogback. Certain men from
other neighborhoods were seen
about the Haskell place.
To Uncle Jimmie and . chosen
few Pappy sometimes recalled the
days when the night-riders Of
Swamp Valley terrorixed the coun-
tryside. Once, when aggravated al
most beyond his endurance by .
visit from JEFF and his inseparable
companion, Lem Wilkins, Pappy
told Uncle Jimmie that "Je6 Todd
war jest like bad dog what had
broke loose an war runnins wild
over the country. Couldn't nobody
tell who he war likely to bite. nor
when."
"You done said hit" Uncle Jim
mic agreed. "The only difference
tween JEFF an Lem 10 the difference
tween polecat an . skunk-which
amt nothin' but Z manner Of speak
in. A body couldn't think nothin'
bout one what wouldn't At t'other
Jest as WELL"
It was generally conceded-with
more or less uneasiness-that IF
Ann war to come back she'd sure
find things changed heap" Some
even went 90 far as to say that "Ann
Haskell had done had her day, an
that Il she knowed what war good
fer her she wouldn't never show up
in these parts no more
JET Todd and Lem wilkins were
in the living-room Of the Haskell
house.
It was IN hour, perhaps, after
rundown. A meager fire burned In
the neglected fireplace where the
heaped-up ashes, spilling out over
the hearth and the floor, mixed with
. slovenly litter Of burnt matches,
discarded guilds Of tobacco, and
other refuse. The table which for
merly held John Herbert's books,
papers, and writing materials had
been dragged from It's place IN the
book-corner and was burdened with
. gallon jug Of white mule sew.
eral dirty glasses, Z pack Of greasy
cards, . collection 81 llat pint and
haH-pint bottles, and IN open box
Of Leaf tobacco with IN assortment
Of cob pipes. In place Of the green
shaded student lamp, . grimy evil
smelling lantern shons with .
murky gleam In the foul atmosphere
Of tobacco smoke and corn-liquor
fumes. The bookshelves were bare.
The brown flower jar was over.
turned on the floor in the corner.
~Be an hour yit fors hits time
fer we-uns to 60" offered Lem in
the manner Of one making polite
conversation to pass the time.
"An Of that" returned Jelf.
"Ain't no use fer Me-uns gitttn' thar
fore the boys. They wouldn't b
a.startin' fore dark"
Lem spat meditatively into the
feeble fre. "Tain't nigh 90 handy
from hysaf 2: !. twas On the head q
Shady Creek."
JET grinned. :Hit1l sure b
mighty onhandy fer old Ann Has.
KEEL, Il she war ever 70 come back.
The other laughed apprsciattvelz.
I'D like to be a-hidin In tho bresh
70 watch the old gals lace next
time che drops in ct the head q
Shady 70 80 & things mir a-runnin
to suit her. What do you reckon
she'll do, JED, IS she comes back IN
Ands out what's happened?"
JD6 Todd answered with . snar.
ling oath: NAnn Haskel's goin' r.
do Jest what ! ray. I'm a-ruunin
things now. Is shes fool 'nouef
to come back hysar she1l listen b
mo or.he paused significantly.
''she'u b arleeyin' these parts egts
: darned sight qaieksr'n she di'
bsfore."
*Xou done sid hit," agreed Lem
adnniringly. = reckon you tnov
you can oounk % 10 IN the ooyt
to- 10 PAUSED, listening infant
II. Sounds Nke 1enothln' a~comin
down ~ hogbetk 4en ~ s!aEe:'
S2it5 q anoonoo01IS ea4 lei