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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1950-06-29, Page 2CHAPTER FOUR (Continued from last week) Sheriff Hank Roberts left the saloon with the doctor. The old peace officer walked with a steady gait. Above the bandages, his face was gray and drawn with pain, but .his puckered eyes were narrowed, hard. He refused the doctor's arm. There was the bloodstained pool table and the water in the basin that had become pinkish from blood. Tex and the Hoot -Owl Pool cowboys lined up at the bar. Webb stood there, alone, save for old Judge Anders in his rusty black suit and threadbare white shirt and string tie. "Come, Webb," said Judge And- ers and, taking the cowboy's arm, he led him down the street to his cabin. Judge Anders found a sealed bot- tle and a corkscrew. He made Webb tame a stiff drink. Then he shoved him into the bathroom and laid out a razor and shaving mug. He turned on the hot water, "I'll send a kid to the hotel for your clothes, Webb. You'll feel better after a bath and shave," He closed the bathroom door, Back in the front room of his cabin, Judge Anders stood looking at the uncorked bottle. Everything in his body cried for that whisky. His hands were unsteady as he .corked the bottle and put it back in the cupboard. His lips twitched nervously and his gait was slow, faltering, as he moved away from the closed cupboard that held the untouched bottle. He went on up the street, He was steady enough now as he walked into lt•Iae's restaurant. His smile faded when the cook told him that Mae was not there. She had gone to the town dance, "Alone?" "Not ..exactly, Judge," said the cook, an old roundup cook, "She -went with Ab Abbot," Old Judge Anders carried Webb's telescope valise from the hotel. It was a little too heavy for him and he had to keep changing hands. It kept hitting the sides of his legs, almost upsetting him. But he did not seem to notice. He staggered on doggedly until he got to his cabin. Webb had bathed and shaved. He had a bath towel wrapped around his middle when he opened the door, Judge Anders came in,, a forced smile on his face. "Thought I'd bring it mysel-, Webb. Need the exercise." Webb looked at the old atta r:ey, Then he held out his hani. W'_—en he spoke, his voice -,vas ione tee steady, r.I do 't k - c— r_at . ere;- u.d, 1 Judge, to am .set f ship you're s: �t..c =e `Drink, tVr:.'os "I recksn n st. _. e5s neer one." "I haven't lou-._ ce tie night after your f here's a 1 case of it in t e basn't been touc ed u,ti tcny-, when I opened -rat bottle." Webb dressed and they sat there r in the front ton room, t oo .a.Aing . Or, rather, Judge Anders talked and Webb was forced to listen. Webb wanted to go up town. He wanted to see alae, talk to her for a little while. Just for a few minutes. Be- cause, save for Judge Anders, he was absolutely friendless. He couldn't leave the old nsan I now, It wouldn't be the square Upside down to prevent peeking. ISSUE 26 — 1950 thing to do. And Judge Anders sat there smoking, talking on and on about his yesterdays. Webb shifted uneasily in his chair and • tried to pretend to listen. It was nearly midnight before Webb could get away. The old at- torney was asleep in his big arm chair, his pipe in his hand. He looked gray from fatigue and he stirred restlessly in his sleep. Ex- haustion had blanketed the old man with slumber. Webb left him there in his big, old chair. He went up the street, spurs jingling. 11ae's restaurant was closed. He found his way through the pines to her.cabitt, but the cabin door was padlocked, He reckoned she was at Han]; Robert's place, He knew that he wouldn't be welcome at Hank's. A familiar figure lurched from the lighted doorway of a saloon. A short, heavy -shouldered, bowlegged man with a shapeless hat pulled -slantways across his eyes. His widespread gait was unsteady, His spur rowels dragged on the wide plank sidewalk. He had a bottle of whis):y in one hand, a six-shooter in the other, Somewhere a piano was pounding out a ragtime piece. Some drunken cowboy was trying to sing. There was the laughter of dancehall girls and the voices of men in some sort of an argument. Yellow, blurred light shone from saloon windows. "Damned if it ain't Webb Win- ters," leered the man with the gun and the bottle; "It's me, Joe Blake." "What you huntin'? Trouble?" "Hell, no, Webb. I'm just in town, that's. all. A man's got to kinda celebrate now and then, ain't he?" "Better put up that gun, Blake, or else use it.,, "Meanin' what, neighbor?" "Meanin', mister, thaf it makes me kind of touchy when a marl has •� r , t 46.. a C t�e)a(31 SiZES ^ 11-T7 Coolest. . ,...... .. 1 10, t•trnver- tible ensemble with its snug -belted top, its stunning sundress is a sophisticated date -timer, Jr, Miss, Really a honey—especially in a new border fabric! Pattern 4652 Jr. Miss sizes 11, 13, 15, 17. Size 13, 3;J yds, 35 -in, This pattern, easy to use, simple to sew, is tested for fit. Has com- plete illustrated instructions, Send TWEN'T'Y-FIVE CENTS (25c) in coittp (stamps cannot be accepted) for this pattern, Print plainly SIZE, NAME, ADDRESS, STYLE NUMBER, Send order to 13ox 1, 123, Eigh- teenth St., Now Toronto, Out. Two In. The Bush's --Mrs. R. M. Bush gingerly removes the mail from her sidewalk mailbox, careful not to disturb Momma Bluebird, who is housekeeping inside, The Bluebirds are the fourth couple to move in and raise a family in the same loca- tion. It's okay with the Bushes as long as Mr. and Mrs. Blue- bird leave their mail alone. A ML I ru 1 14 Nf- 141 S T "Dear Anne Hirst: I have had * must be forced to by law. That to leave my husband and come * is what our laws are for. home with my baby. He did not * Your husband seems to be support us. * congenitally opposed to any kind "Since we * of work, It may be that, fresh : ° -g married t h r e c * from service, he found teadjust- t°^`' <!. ears ago, he has * ment to civil life a difficult rob- �„ had at least 18 * lem, But he should not have 3 x, jobs, Finally "' married without realizing the Y; in y stepfather * responsibilities whicli marriage signed a note so * involves. . These, he has evaded, we, could buy * in spite of all the encouragement our home, and * You gave him and the help he n he even got my r accepted from others. husband work. * I hope the future will prove Result, my stepfather did the work * brighter for you, and that soon and my husband drew thepay! a way will be found for you to "He does not seem to care any- * have both children with you. thing for me nor the children, I * Once free of anxiety, you will had to send my two-year-old girl find yourself a job, and help make to my grandmother—and I miss her * this come true. sc much! Now, away from him, at least I know my baby is taken care A man who will not support his of, and I need not worry myself family must be made to. When his sick, wife cannot move him, the law will "Since I left, he does not want try. Anne Hirst is here to help you to work, nor even support the baby. through any trouble. Write her at "So I intend to take it to the Box 1, 123 Eighteenth St. New tie it for me. Am 1 right or wrong MRS. B.B,"' " A husband who refuses to sup- port his family must be made to. I do not see what other course you could take. It is a pity you did not resort to it long ago. A man who brings children into the world is legally responsible for them. If he will not support * them through love for them, lie a gun n his hand. I got one in mine, now." lVebb's right hand held a gun. The gun covered the boss of the Scissor -Bill Pool. "Put 'er away," said Webb, "or else use it." Slowly, with a fumbling move- ment, Joe Blake put away his gun. He grinned drunkenly and held out his bottle to Webb, "Drink, neighbor?" "Not" Webb's voi6 was taut. "Too damn proud, mebby?". "I reckon that's about it, Blake, When I drink, it's with friends, savvy?" "I savvy," Joe Blake seemed to sober suddenly, His voice lost its blurred thickness and there in the uncertain light, his eyes were two red slits. Keep ort rememberin', Blake." "I ain't the forgettin' kind, Win- ters," "So I figgered." The two men stood there in the shadowed yellow light thrown on the plank walk by a saloon window. Webb slowly put his six-shooter bark in the waistband of his trousers. "Want it, Make?" he said quietly, "]'Fant that slug in your belly?" "What you dirvin' at?" growled Joe Blake. !Webb grinned a little. "The leaves � es h as been r ustlus a little, mister. Just a little. Just enough to give me the kind of news that I waisted. Blake, I'm not goin' to kill you here and nosy, because you're drunk, Go sober up, then get ready because I'm corrin' after You and Ab Abbot: Tell that to Abbot when you find him." `",'hat's the idea of taikhk' that - away, Winters'„ "Just a notion, Take the news to Ab Abbot that I'm killin' him on sight, The same goes for you, I got a notion who killed Ed Young and Bob Anderson, Do you under- stand what I mean, you tnurderin' skunk? Savvy, you low-down, double-crossin' snake? Am I makin' myself plain, you yellow -bellied, bushwhackin' coward?" Joe Blake stood there, his face twisted with hate, yet lie trade uo move for his gun. "You're sayin' words that no than kill take, Winters." Joe ,Blake's voice was choked with anger, "I''m. killin' you for what you said." "Fill your hand, then.,, (Continued next week) � SCHOOL LESSON Jacob, A Man of Striking Contrasts Gen. 35:1-7, 9-12 Golden Text: Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places 'whither thou goest.—Gen. 28:15a. The word "Jacob" means "lseel- grasper." It was applied to the subject of this lesson because of an incident at birth. It was a very apt'choice, for the name signified his character, Once and again he plotted to supplant his twin bro- ther. He bought the birthright for a mess of pottage when Esau came in from the hunt, ravenously hun- gry. Then, aided by his mother, he deceived his aged father and se- cured the patriarchal blessing, Jacob was a supplanter. There are two high points in Ja- cob's spiritual development. These were at Bethel and Peniel. He was at Bethel fleeing from home be- cause his enraged brother planned to slay him. Years later at Peniel, he met with God before facing this brother at the head of four hundred armed men. Bethel means "house of God". When he awakened after his dream of the ladder to heaven with the angels ascending and descending on it and heard a mes- sage from the Lord who stood above it, he exclaimed, "--Surely this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven," At Peniel, Jacob, having seat his possessions and his family across the brook, wrestled alone with God. His thigh was put out of joint. 5 5 p t. g P 7 Then he confessed his nature. He received a new name and a new nature, "Thy name shall• be called no more Jacob, but Israel (Prince of God), for as a prince thou hast power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. He called the name of the place, Peniel (face of God); for, said he, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved," "Whatsoever a main-sow0h that shall he also reap." As Jacob de- ceived his father, covering his arms and chest with kidskin, so years later he was deceived by his sons. They killed a kid, too, In . its blood they dipped Joseph's beau- tiful coat and proceeded to deceive their father, Jacob's spirit struck a new low when, years later, he la- mented, "Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." But the darkest hour is just before the dawn. Soon he would see Joseph and Cie and his family would be bountifully cared for dur- ing the famine. Jacob is an intri- guing character. 4 < %,,nRONICLE J 11MER ARM bW O vel%d•ottr e P. Ctca.1 Ue beavers live oil roots, bark .and. water plants and they always con. gregate in families, Their work is done at night—which accounts for the fact that we did not see any beavers, although with this remark- able evidence confronting us we certainly had little doubt of their existence. When we were finally ready to leave the dam we found ourselves face to face with several Summer ,came to Ontario last head of young cattle coming down week ... and it stayed for nearly for a drink, so we decided to fol - four whole days. So what? Well, low the cowpathas a way out of we took off the storm windows and the bush—and it was a far quicker I spent one whole precious day and easier way to travel than the painting screens and getting them way we had chosen to come in.- oil, n,-on, We drew down blinds against Back in the car we thought we the sun; we opened windows to would go on up the road if it windward and we brought the elec- wasn't too badly flooded. We trio fan out of hiding. Then as we •yyatcbed other cars come through were expecting three of our folks without any mishap so Bob figured home for the weekend I went shop- the June Bug could take it too, ping with hot weather menus in And she did—with the water' up mind—fruits, jellies, and drinks, and to her axles. the makings for various salads. Well, having seen the dam, 1. Then with the capriciousness for for one, wanted more particulars, which our Canadian climate must so this morning I began making surely be getting famous .the wea- inquiries. I learned that in August, ther changed again. We needed 1949, the local Sportsman's Club soups more than salads; hot drinks managed to procure two beavers, rather than the iced variety. We one of each sex, which they placed shut up the doors and some of the in the bush. The Department of windows and in the evening we Lands and Forests also contri- had a fire in the kitchen and a bit buted two and the four beavers were in the furnace too. then left to their own devices. However, maybe the cooler wea- Since they propagate fairly rapidly, ther was responsible for my hav- I and always live in families, it is ing a job done for me which per- surely safe to assume that their haps wouldn't even have been start- number has doubled. ed had the weather remained hot. With soil and water conservation Anyway, four energetic young such a vital problem it would seen people got busy with pails and rags, that the industrious beaver . could and washed all the muresco off be used more often than it is, the ceiling of the room that is next Perhaps this project could be Ju - in line for being attacked with roller plicated in other counties, and water -paint. So now, to my way of thinking, the worst part of the job is done. Our feet are a precious gift — * 52 bones, 214 ligaments—more coin - plicated, more delicate than ma - Sunday afternoon we had a very chinerq. With a little care, our feet interesting and enjoyable experi- will give perfect, painless service. ence, We had heard that up country, Without care, they'll lead to loss of not so very many miles from here, time and earning power. When there were beavers at work and we your feet give trouble, don't shrug thought a real beaver dam might it off. be worth investigating—the Exhi- bition variety being the only ones most of us had seen. ANre drove along a very narrow country road—so narrow that two cars could pass only by having their two off -side wheels off the a+ road—and was I glad it was Bob who was driving! To get to the dam we had to walk about half' a mile through the bush until we came to the stream. In one place we didn't need anyone to tell us �i.�ri tiIto-,Iy beavers had been at work, Several tall silver birch, about 6 inches in Iti►�;- � �, �� ��+ fe, diameter, lay across the stream, and had been cut down by these mar- vellous ar- ���' "'�I •�� evi- dently new dam was in�the mak- .... Ing. Knowing there was more than that to see we continued on our way, pushing through underbrush, A p stumbling over the rocks and stones, and trying to evade the ;,�•� y # t;�: marshy bogholes that were every- ;;v i :•?' s�`i 'i��'yyj'' where. Then in a bit of a clearingI •;,;