The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-10-25

setting fire to the old barn. Still En-
mis- would not believe the malicious lies.
He chung to the friendship that had
formed the very foundation of all his
life. Yet, in spite of the faith of each
old friend for the other, the ball Of
trouble rolled on and on, and grew.
The meddlers assured Martin that WILL
the barn. They said William was
threatening to have him strung up.
When next the old men passed on
the street it was with averted eyes.
They walked along, not speaking each
deeply hurt, angrier for the very depth
and strength of their years of friend
ship, each hoping that the other would
! make some effort to bridge the mis-
understanding. But they were stubborn
trouble that had so suddenly come up
on them, and each went his lonely way,
sore, puzzled, grieving. And all over an
antiquated, tumble down barn that
long had been al eyesore to the COM
munity. William Ennis didn't mind
his small loss. It was the belief that
his friend should stoop to such a trick
and then lie about it that tormented
him. That he was guilty William could
no longer doubt. else why should he
act 50 strangely, passing on the street
4U4xOA oPSIn44A6
And Peal, brooding alone, turning
the matter over and over in his be-
muddled, tortured brain, was ire Of
only on thing-William's faith had not
been strong enough to survive against
the lies that were told; his friendship
had failed against the onslaught OF
cunning suspicion. And so, all that
winter, wagging tongues carried un-
truths from old man to the other,
,,~ks1 Ho%~ol -,1 fo~~ol ipf0 f1oroo
in two hurt hearts.
Martin Peal could stand it no longer.
Old man Ennis threatened to have him
strung up, did he, for something he
hadn't done! There came a day when
Peal started off alone and drove the IL
miles to Virginia City to have his
friend put under bonds to keep the
peace. Why Martin CHANGED to have
a gun in his pocket that day no n
eve knew, mol what trick of fate ruled
that William Ennis should be in Vir-
ginia City at the same time. Peal told
his story to. the county officials. and
they, knowing both men, tried to laugh
away his anger. They advised him to
go home and forget his troubles, or,
better still, to have a talk with Ennis.
What was an old barn anyway COM
pared to friendship? Blu the time for
smoothing over the grievance was long
since past. Grimly Peal walked out of
the court house and down the steps,
nursing his anger. He glanced up. Over
across the street of Virginia City he
saw William Ennis standing in front
of a building. Slowly Peal walked
across and, without a word, took out
his gun and shot his friend dead.
When he was arrested he offered no
resistance. Throughout the trial he
sat numb, in a daze. What thoughts
went through the mind of the old nan
what self -reproach, what tender mem
cries of the past, when he and William
hunted and fished together, shared
hard times and good, and planned the
joy of growing old together, no one
can know. Martin Peal was found
guilty of having killed William Ennis
and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
He died at Deer Lodge a few years at
ter his sentence.
There is a tree-shaded little town to
mark the memory of William Ennis,
who came out to the wilds of Montana,
a young, ambitious boy some IS years
ago.. A prosperous stock farm on the
edge of town still is pointed out as the
Peal ranch" Only a crumbling found
alton shows where the Ennis house
once stood. Only a few holes dug deep
into hillsides speak mutely Of Martin
Peal's u~nwearying search for h gold
he never found. Two graves, far apart,
are all that remains Of two boys who
Travelled the long trail from confident
youth down through a h~eart-hroken,
d~isillusioned old age.