Western Story Magazine, May 12, 1934 — page 70: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

68 Street & Smith’s Western Story Magazine Bud peered into one of the largest cells. and recognized Jim Listman who had been charged with running another man’s trap line. “All you’ve got is Pete Sather’s word that I stole fur from his traps, and I say I didn’t. My word is as good as his. A man ain’t guilty until it’s proved, so Tm _ innocent. Why’re you keepin’ ag innocent man locked up?” ~— ~ “Developing into something of a lawyer, eh?” Bud drawled, annoyed because Listman had interrupted the trend of his thoughts. “I don’t know anything about that,” Listman snarled, “but I know I ought to be out of this place. Sometimes I feel like tearing the place apart.” Bud thought he looked capable of it as he stood with his massive hands clutching the bars. “You're said to -have a weakness for fur,” Bud ventured. “Sure, I have—it’s pretty and ‘brings good money,” Listman an- ~ swered, “but I’m law-abidin’ and I don’t have to rob traps. I know where there’s the finest silver fox country in the North.” “You do?” Bud walked over to the prisoner. “When you talk silver fox, you speak my language. Say, Pll go your bail and give you a chance to work until your trial comes up if you'll give me your word of honor to return when you're notified, and a “T knew there’d be a string to it,” Listman growled. “And tell me where I can trap a couple of prime pelts for my mother —and do another little job for me at the same time,” Bud said. “Sure,” Listman hastily agreed. -“Tet’s have the details.” “Wait,’ Bud suggested, “Ill get the marshal so he’ll know what’s go- ing on. It might look queer for a deputy to go a prisoner’s bail.” Dad Morton responded to Bud’s ‘call, and for several minutes, the trio talked, then the marshal drew his deputy aside. : “I guess it’s all right if you feel Listman won’t double-cross you. won’t advise either way, though— the only way a young feller learns is by experience. It’s up to you, now that I’ve had my little say.” “T’ll take a chance,” Bud replied. “Turn him loose to-night. Ive got enough gold dust in the bank to cover his bail, and my word that I’ll deposit with the commissioner ought to be good.” “Good as gold, Bud,” the marshal answered. Bud was awakened the following morning by an uproar under his win- dow. He looked out and was greeted by Seeley who was pacing back and forth shouting: “Bud! Bud! again!” “Who's at it again?” .. “Hlard-rock and Poke! They’re at it You’d better come!” Seeley advised. UD hastily dressed and ran to the scene of hostilities. The partners were facing each other, and only sheer exhaustion kept them apart. “What’s the trouble?” the deputy marshal demanded. _ “Poke sneaked in last night and swiped my half of the fur!’ Hard- rock panted. “That’s a lie!” Poke snarled. “It was you that took my half; now you're accusin’ me of takin’ yours. It’s a backfire to cover your own crookedness, that’s what it is.” “This has gone far enough,” Bud interrupted. “You may not pull to- gether any longer, but at least each _