The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-01-25


died breaches.
ut wasn't very smart thing to do,
guess" he admitted. Its not likely
now, that I'll even get chance to see
how hard nut this town really Is"
sand no worse than you deserve"
Able said sharply. "You know better
than to carry on that way. Elliott. I've
got to give you fine commensurate
with your offense. I'll fine you dol
lar and seventy-five cents for costs or
send you to Jail for day."
In the rear sacrilegious litter or
two. From the sheriff, grunt; from
Nicholas Brandon a breath Of Of
Tended dignity and look that scorched.
But on Ben Elliott's face only APP
peared foolish smile.
"That's reasonable enough" he said,
"but the joker Is this: l haven't even
got the dollarl"
"Well, our jall's real comfortable,
I'm told. A day therell let you think
over the ACCESSIBILITY Of going around
the country muddying up the pants of
respected cltlZenS!
Elliott, though, faced even so short
Jail sentence with anything but relish.
Il can get the money easy enough"
he said. "That is If you, your honor,
or somebody else'll send a wire for
me-"
"That might be arranged Where
to-"
Here" He reached for sheet Of
paper and pencil lying on the table.
Swiftly he wrote the words: Badger
Forest Products company, Beech
Ridge, Wisconsin" He handed 1t to
Able "Will you wire them for twenty
five dollars and sign my name? Send
the message collect"
"That's a big outfit" the Judge
said. "You figure they'll do as you
| ask?"
swell, they never have turned me
down for anything I've asked. OF
course, there's always the first time.
| If you'll do that
Until that gets back, Sheriff, 4 sup
pose it's me for the brig. t. Is that
right, Judge?"
Able was studying the address and
when he looked up and grunted an af-
f1rmative reply his gaze was far away.
Far, far away.
For a considerable interval after his
court room had emptied, Able Armitage
sat motionless In his chair. His eye
still held that far-away look, staring
into space, and now and again he
picked up the scrap Of paper bearing
the address young Elliott had written
and scanned 1t closely.
by cracky!" he said, an hour after
being left alone. "By cracky-by jung
1t might be, you know. 1t may
be, possibly, perhaps might bel"
Thereupon he rose, went to a wall
telephone and put In a call for Nathan
Bridger. general manager of the Bad
ger Forest Products company, of Beach
Ridge, Wisconsin.
After this he stood for time In the
front window, peering out into the
street. A man came along the side
walk, a man of about Able's years,
bearing a limp and rusty bag which
stamped him as physician. He waved
hand to Able and then, as on sudden
impulse, changed his course and ap-
preached the entry.
"Big day, Able,"-as the justice
opened the door.
"Yeah. Big"
"Old Don's back"
$50 I heard"
bad shape, too"
II heard that. Real bad, Emory?"
Emory Sweet nodded gravely.
Hearts like sponge. He can't
last long. Nick was all for send
ing him back to Hemlock but l told
him it would be murder to move him
now"
"Oh, Nick showed up, did he?"
"Came right from here. Said he'd
been providing for Don for these last
years and wanted him with somebody
or other in Hemlock who'd see he
didn't get hold Of hooch again. Was
quite provoked when opposed NOV
ing him."
nicholas doesn't like the notion of
Don's being In this vicinity"
Its about as popular with him as
smallpox. When I'd prevailed on him
to let Don alone | told him the truth:
that he can't last more than a few
weeks and Nick looked like a man
who well. like one who's heard
good news"
Able nodded. SAFER for Brandon to
have him in his grave. But when old
Don goes, seems like the last chance
of ever clearing the thing ups gone
too"
Looks that way. Unless he'll talk
before he dies"
Even so. 1t wouldn't amount to
much. He's an old bum: he was a
known drunkard at the time. 1t hap
pened so long ago. and with the courts
controlled by who they are :"
"All but yours"
"And mine without any Jurisdiction
In sure-enough trouble"
The doctor started out but halted