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ABNER DANIEL CopyriRhl, 1902, by HAR.PER © BROS.. Who Publish the Work In Book Form. All RitfbU Resprved • • ♦ * ♦ ♦ * 4't 1 F ♦ 'M"* 'P ♦ ♦ * »•M' fr* *. By .. . WILL N. HARBEN Author of “XOtsUr/'U” M CHAPTER XII. jlLLEK accompnni<*(l Alan to tho door. Old Trabue sto<»d in front of his office In his shirt sleeves, his battered silk hat on the back part of ids head. lie was fanning himself with a palm leaf fan and freely using his handkerchief on his brow. He Itowed cordially to Alan and came toward him. “I want to ask you,” h»‘ began, “has Pole Raker any way of raisin’ money?” “Not that 1 know of,” knight'd Alan. “I don’t know whether he’s got a clear title to the shirt on his back, lie owes everybody out our way. My father is supplying him on time now.” “That was my impression,” said Tra bue. "He wanted me to.defend him the other day. but he couldn’t satisfy me about the fee, an’ I let him go. He first said he could give me a lien on a mule, but he finally admitted that it wasn’t his.” “He’s not in trouble. Is he?” ex claimed Alan, suddenly recalling Mrs. Baker’s uneasiness. Trabue looked at Miller, who stood leaning in the doorway, and laughed. “Well, I reckon he might call it that. That chap owned the town two days ago. He got blind, stavin’ drunk an’ wanted to whip us from one end o’ the place to the other. The marshals are afraid of ’im, for they know he’ll shoot at the drop of a hat. an’ the butt of it was stickin’ out o’ his hip pocket in plain sight. Was you thar, Rayburn? Well, it was better ’n a circus. Day before yesterday thar was a sort o’ street temperance lecturer in front o’ the Johnston House, speakin’ on a dry goods box. He had a lot o’ gaudy pic tures illustratin’ the appearance of a drlnkin’ man’s stomach an’ liver com pared to one in a healthy condition. He was a sort of a snide faker out fer what he could git dropped in a hat, an’ Pole tvas sober enough to git on to his game. Pole stood thar with the rest, jest about able to stan’, an’ that was all. Finally, tvhen the feller got warmed up an* got to screechiu’, Pole begun to deny what he was sayin’. As fast as he’d make a statement Pole would flatly give It the lie. The feller on the box didn’t know what a tough customer he had to handle or he’d ’a’ gone slow. As it was, he p’lnted a fin ger o’ scorn at Pole an’ belt ’im up fer a example. “Pole wasn’t sober by a long shot, but you’d ’a’ thought he Avas, fer he was us steady as a post. He kept grinnin’, as cool as a cucumber, an’ sayin: ‘Now you knoAV yo’re a-lyin, stranger—Jest a-lyin’ to get a few dimes dropped In yore hat. You know nobody’s stomach don’t look like that durn chroino. You never seed inside of a drlnkin’ man, an’ yo’re the biggest liar that ever walked the earth.’ This made the crowd laugh at the little, dried up feller, an’ he got as mad as old Nick. He begun to tell Pole his liver was swelled from too much whisky an’ that he’d bet he Avas jest the sort to beat his wife. Most of us thought that’d make Pole jump on ’im, but he seemed to enjoy naggin’ the feller too much to sp’ile It by a fight. A nigger boy bad been earryln’ round a bell an’ a sign advertisin’ Webb’s auction sale, an’ stopped to see the fun. Pole heerd the tinkle of the bell an’ tuck it an’ begun to ring it in the lecturer’s face. The harder the fel ler spoke the harder Pole rang. It was the biggest racket ev'er heerd on a pub lic square. Part of the crowd—the good, church folks—began to say it was a disgrace to the town to allow a stran ger to be treated that a-way, sence thar was no law agin public spetkiu’ in the streets. They was in fer callin’ a halt, but all the rest—the drlnkin’ men (an’ I frankly state I was one)—secretly hoped Pole Avould ring ’im down. When the pore d(*vil finally won, I felt like yellin’ hooray, fer I glory in the pluck even of a daredevil, if he’s a north Georgian an’ white. The lecturer had to stop without his collection, an’ went off to the council chamber swearin’ agin the town fer allowin’ him to be treated that a-way. Thar Avasn’t any thing fer the mayor to do but order Pole’s arrest, but it took four men—two regulars an’ tAvo deputies—to accom plish it. “The trial Avas the richest thing I eypr attended. Pole had sobered up Jest enough to be Avitty. an’ he had no more respect fer Bill Barrett’s court than he had fer the lecturer’s platform. Him an’ Barrett used to fish an’ hunt together when they was boys, an’ Pole kept callin’ him Bill. It was Bill this an’ Bill that, an’ ns Barrett had only been in office a month he hardly knowed how to rise to his proper dig nity, especially when he saw the crowd was laughin’ at his predicament. When I declined to defend ’Im, Pole attempt ed to read the law on the case to Bar- rdtt an’ show whar he was right. Bar rett let 'im talk because he didn’t know how to stop ’im, an’ Pole made the best defense I ever het*rd from a unlettered man. It kept the crowd in a roar. For awhile I swear it looked like Pole was goiu’ to eleer hisse’f, but Barrett hud to do his duty, an’ so he fined Pole thirty dollars, or in default thereof to break rock on the streets fer ten days. You ort to ’a’ heerd Pole snort. ‘Looky heer, Bill,’ he said, ‘you know as well as yo’re a-settin’ cocked up thar, makln’ folks say “yore honor" ever’ breath they draw, that I ain’t a-gom to break no rock in that br’ilin’ sun fer ten days ’ca’se I beat that skunk at his oavii game!’ “ You'll have to do it if you don’t pay out,’ Barrett told ’im. “‘Well, 1 jest Avon’t pay out, an’ I won't break rock tiuthen,’ Pole said. ’You've heerd about the feller that could lead a boss to Avater, but couldn’t make 'im drink, hain't you? Well. Pin the boss.’ “Yesterday Avas Pole's fust day on tho street. They put a ball an’ chain to one of his ankles an’ sent ’im out wWh tho nigger gang, but all day yes terday an’ today he hain’t worked a liek. He's as stubborn as a mule. Thar’s been a crowd around ’im all the time. You kin see ’im standin’ up as straight as a |K>st in the middle of the street from one end of it to the other. I’m sorter sorry fer Mm; he looks like lie's ashamed at tiottom, Isjt don't want to give in. The funniest thing about the whole thing Is that Pole seems to know more about the law than the mayor. He says unless they force him to work in the specified ten days they can't hold him any longer, an’ that if they attempt to flog Mm he’ll kill the first man that lays hands on him. I think Bill Barrett likes him "Look heer, Bishop," he said. too well to have Mm whipped, an’ the whole town Is guyin’ him an’ axin’ Mm Avhy he don’t make Pole set in.” Alan Avent down the street to see Pole. He found him seated on a large stone, a long handled rock hammer at his feet. He looked up from under his broad brimmed hat, and a crestfallen look came Into bis big brown eyes. “I’m sorry to see this, Pole,” said Alan. I’ojf; stood up at his full Ijeight, the chain clanking as he rose. “They hain’t treated me right about this matter, Alan Bishop,” be said, half resentfully, half as if he recognized his own error. “Bill knows he hain’t done the fair thing. 1 know 1 was full, but I jest wanted to ImAe my fun. That don’t justify him in puttin’ me out heer with thi'se niggers fer folks to gap’ at, an’ he knows it. He ain’t a friend right. Mo an’ him lias slop’, together on the same pile o’ leaves, an’ I’ve let Mm pull down on a squirrel Avhen I could ’a’ knocket It from its perch, an’ I’ve lent Mm my pointer an’ gun many an’ many a time. But he’s showed what he is! He’s got the wrong sow by the yeen, though, fer ef he keeps me heer till Christmas I’ll never crack a rock unless I do it by accidentally steppln’ on It. Mark my words, Alan Bishop, thar'll be trouble out o’ this.” "Don’t talk that way, Pole;” said Alan. “You’ve broken the law, and they had to punish you for it. If they hadn’t, they would have made them selves ridiculous. Why didn’t you send me word you were In trouble, Pole?” The felloAv hung his head and then blurted out: “Beca’se 1 knowed you would make a fool o’ yorese’f an’ try to pay me out. Durn it, Alan Bishop, this ain’t no business o’ yore’n!” “I’ll make It my business,’’ said Alan. “How much Is your fine? You ought to have sent me word.” “Sent you nothin!. Akin Bishop,” growled the prisoner. “When I send you word to he’p me out of a scrape that whisky got me into, PH do It after I’ve decently cut my throat! I say— Avhen you’ve plead with me like you have to quit the durn stuff!” At tills point of the conversation Jeff Dukes, a man of medium size, dressed in dark blue uniform, with a nickel plated badge shaped like a shield and bearing the words “Marshal No. 2,” came directly toward them from a stonecutter’s shop near by. “Ixwik heer, Bishop,” he said dicta- torially, “whar’d you git the right to talk to that man?” Alan looked surprised. “Am I break ing the law too?” "You are ef you hain’t got a penult from the mayor In yore pocket” “Well, I have no permit” replied Alan with a good natured smile. “Qavg you got another ball and chain handy?” The officer froAvned off his inclination to treat the matter as a jest. “You ort Is allowed to laugh an' joke Avitb him he'd crack about as many rocks as you or me.” “You are a durn liar, Jeff Dukes.” said Pole angrily. “You are a-makin' that up to humiliate me furder. You know no law like that never was en forced. Ef 1 ever git you out In Pea Vine destrict, I'll knock a dent in that egg siiaped head o’ yor’u an' make them eyes 1 >ok two Avays fer Sunday. You know a gentleman like Alan Bish op wouldn’t notice you under ordinary circumstances, an’ so you trump up that excuse to git his attention.” The two men glared at each other, but 1’ole seemed to get the best of that sort of combat, for the officer only growled. “You can insult a man when you are under arrest,” he said, “beca’se you know l am under bond to keep the peace. But I’m not afeerd of you.” “They tell me you are afeerd o’ sper- its. though,” retorted the prisoner. "Tltey tell me a little nigger boy that was shot when a ixissle o’ skunks went to whip his daddy fer. vagra-ney stands at the foot o' yore lied ever’ night. Oh, I know what I'm talkin’ about!” “Yes. you know a lots,” said the man sullenly as his eyes fell. To avoid encouraging the disputants furtlier Alan walked suddenly away. The marshal took ivilling adigintage of the opportunity and followed him. “1 could make a case agin you,” he said, catching up, "but 1 know you didn't mean to violate the ordinance.” "No, of course 1 didn’t,” said Alan, “but I Avant to know if that fellow could be released if I paid his fine.” “You are not fool enough to do it, are you?” “That's what 1 am.” “Have you got the money in yore pocket?” The officer was laughing, as if at a good joke. “I have.” “Well”—the marshal laughed again as he swung his short club rouud by a string that fastened It to his wrist— “well, you come Avith me, an’ I’ll show you a man that wants $30 avuss than any man 1 know of. I don’t believe Bill Barrett has slept a Avink sence this thing happened. He’ll be tickled to death to git off so easy. The toAvn has deviled the life out of him. He don’t go by whar Pole’s at work—I mean, whar he ain’t at work—fer Pole yells at Mm whenever he sees Mm.” That night ivhen Alan reached home he sent a servant over to tell Mrs. Ba ker that Pole AA’as all right and that he’d be home soon. He had eaten his supper and had gone upstairs to go to bed when he heard his name called out side. Going to a window and looking out, he recognized Pole Baker stand ing at the gate in the clear moonlight. "Alan.” lie said softly, “come down heer a minute. I want to see you.” Alan went down and joined him. For a moment Pole stood leaning against the fence, his eyes bidden by his broad brimmed slouch hat. “Did you want to see me, Pole?” Ala* asked. “Yes. 1 did.” the fellow swallowed. He made a motion as if to reach out his hand, but refrained. Then he looked straight into Alau's face. “I couldn’t go to sleep till I’d said some’n’ to yu»i.” he began, Avith an other gulp. "1 laid down an’ made a try at it, but it Avasn’t no go. I’ve got to say it. I’m heer to swear that ef God or some’n’ else don’t shOAv me a way to pay you back fer Avhat you done today I’ll never druAr a satisfied breath. Alan Bishop, yo’re a man—a man from yore outside skin to the marrow o’ yore bones, an’ ef I don’t find some way to prove what I think about you I’ll jest burn up! I got into that trouble as thoughtless as I’d play a prank Avitb my baby, an’ then they all come down on me an’ begun to try to drive me like a bog out’n a field with rocks an’ sticks, an’ the very old Harry riz in me an’ defied ’em. I reckon thar Avasn’t anything Bill could do but carry out the law, air’ll knowed it, but 1 wasn’t ready to admit It. Then you come along an’ rendered a verdict In my favor when you needed the money you did it with. Alan, ef I don’t show my appreciation it ’ll be beca’se 1 don’t live long enough. You never axed me but one thkig, an’ that Avas to quit drlnkin’ Avhlsky. I’m goin’ to make a try at it, not beea’se 1 think that ’ll imy you back, but l*eca’se Avith a sober head I kin be a bettor friend to you ef the chance ever comes my way.” “I’m glad to hear you say that, Pole,” replied Alan, greatly moved by the fellow’s earnestness. “I believe you can do it. Then your wife aud children”— “Hang my Avife an’ children!” snort ed Pole. “It’s you I’m goiu’ to work fer—you, 1 say!” He suddenly turned through the open gate and strode homeward across the fields. Alan stood looking after him till his tall form Avas lost in the hazy moonlight, aud then he went up to his bed. Pole entered the open door of his cabin and begun to undress as he sat on the side of his crude bedstead, made of unbarked poles fastened to the bare logs in one corner of the room. H-is wife and children slept on two beds on the other side of the room. “Did you see Mm, Pole?” piped up Mrs. Baker from the darkness. "Yes. 1 seed Mm. Sally, say, whar’s that bottle o’ Avhlsky I had the last time 1 was at home?” There Avas an ominous silence. Out »f It rose the soft breathing of the chll- jreii. Then the Avomam sighed. “Pole, ihorely you ain’t a-goln’ to begin igln?” “No; I want to bu’st It Into smlther ecus. I don’t want it about; 1 don't want to know thar’s a drap in the house. I’ve swore off, an’ this time she •licks. Gi’ me that bottle.” Another silence. Suddenly the woman • >oke: “Pole, you’ve swore off as many to have more sense than that.” be said crustily. "Pole's put out heer to Avork his time out. an' ef everybody ffi town times as a dog has fleas. Often when I feel bad an’ sick when you are off. a drap o’ whisky makes me feel better. I don't want you to destroy the last bit in the house jest beca'se you’ve tuck this turn, that may wear off be fore daylight. The last time you ernp tUxl that keg on tin* ground an’ SAvore off you got on a spree an’ belt the baby over the well an’ threatened to drap Vr in ef I didn’t find a bottle, «n’ you’d *a’ done it too. ’ Pole laughed softly. “1 reckon yo’re right, ole gal,” he said. “Besides, ef I eau’t—ef I ain’t man enough to let up with a bottle in the bouse I won't do it without. But the sight or smell of it is hell itse'f to a lover of the truck. Ef 1 was to tell you Avhat a little thing started me on this last spree, you'd laugh. I Avmt to git a shave in a Isirber sliop, an’ Avhen the barber finished he soaked my face in bay rum, an' it got in my mustache. I kept smellin’ it all mornin’ an’ tried to wipe it off, but she wouldn’t wipe. All the time 1 kept walkin' up an’ doAvu in front o’ Luke SeUinore’s bar. Finally 1 said to myself, ‘Well, ef you have to have a barroom stuck under yore nose all day like a Avet sponge, old man, you mought as well have one whar it ’ll taste better, a-n’ I slid up to the counter.” The woman sighed audibly, but she made no reply. "Is Billy aAvake?” Pole suddenly asked. “No; you knoAV he ain’t," said Mrs. Baker. “Well, I want to take Mm in my bed.” Pole stood out on the floor in the sheet of moonlight that fell through the open door. “I wouldn’t, Pole,” sakl the woman. "The pore little feller’s been toddlin’ about after the others, dwiggin’ bresh to the heap tell he's Used. He drapped to sleep at the table with a piece o’ bread in his mouth.” “I Avon’t Avake Mm, God bless hi* lit tle heart,” answered Pole, and he reached down aud took the limp child in his arms aud pressed him against the side of his face. He carried him tenderly across the room and lay down with him. 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