The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-28
CHAPTER xxxyII.

Il was known, now-from the
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.
tvities the neighborhood seemed
better informed, although the talk
was mostly in cautious whispers,
sly, alf-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 Il was
noticed that he treated certain loud
voiced, staggering customers with
grave and, % far % possible, silent
respect. The old storekeeper was
sometimes awakened ct 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 terrorized 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 JEFF 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. 1.-THE only difference
tween JET an Lem 10 the difference
tween polecat an . skunk-which
Amt nothin' but q manner Of speak
in. A body couldn't think nothin'
bout one what wouldn't at t'other
Jest % well"
It was generally conceded-with
more or less uneasiness-that If
Ann war to come back she'd sure
md things changed . heap" Some
even went 30 far as to say that "Ann
Haskell had done had her day, an
that II 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 menRer fire burned in
the neglected fireplace where the
heaped-up ashes, spilling out over
the hearth and the door. 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, . pack Of greasy
cards, . collection Of nat pint and
hak-pint bottles, and IN open box
Of leaf tobacco with IN assortment
Of cob pipes. In place Of the green.
shaded student lamp, Z grimy evil
smelling lantern shone With :
murky CLEAN in the foul atmosphere
Of tobacco smoke and corn-liquor
fumes. The bookshslves were bare.
The brown flower jar was over.
turned on the floor in the corner.
"Be m hour yit fore hits time
fer we-uns to 60" offered Lem il
the manner Of one making polite
conversation to pass the time.
"All Of that" returned JET.
"Ain't no use fer we-uns gittin' thar
fore the boys. They wouldn't Be
a-startin' fore dark"
Lem spat meditatively into the
feeble Are. faint nigh 90 handy
from r hysar :: twas on the head Of
JEFF grinned. ''Hit1l sure b
mighty onhandy fer old Ann Has
kel, Il she war ever 10 como back
The other laughed appreciatively.
I'D like to Be a-hidin Ia the bresh
to watch the old gals face next
time she drops in & the head 81
Shady TO - e things air a-runnin'
to suit her. What do you reckon
she'll do. JET. Il she comes back m
finds out what's happened :"
Je6 Todd answered with . snar.
ling oath: "Ann Haskel's goin' 70
do Jest what ! say. I'm a-runnin'
things now. II she's fool 'nough
20 come back hyear she'll listen 20
me or"-he- paused signihcantly-
'shs'll b a-lsevin' thsse parts ID
: darned sight quicker,n she did
before d,a
@Ycu done said hit agreed Lam.
admirjnely. y recken You know
you csu count On mo m the boyb
to He PAUSED, listening infant
y. sounds Ike Somothins a-conin'
down tho do6bock from tfo rjdGo.
4H1tt1 n enhonnia = oo11 -.