Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

é DEBTS. that,” he said. “ And, Dan, I’m still wear- in’ underclothes with numbers stamped on "em. 9 “It wasn’t long before Philip Buckley was rigged out in an entirely new outfit of clothing; worn garments to be sure, but not one of them that ever saw the inside of a prison. The fugitive finished his meal and re- sumed his chair beside the kitchen stove. Daniel Rodd mused. “What do you aim to do, Phil?” he inquired. Buckley gazed helplessly into Rodd’s face. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I can’t do. much.” “You want to get way off “trom this State, I s’pose?” + Td like to; but they must be huntin’ pretty close for me.” “There ain’t no doubt about that— they’re huntin’. If you had money, you could make it; but I don’t see how you're goin’ to tramp out of the State without somebody pickin’ you up. The whole State knows by this time that a life prisoner has escaped—at least all the officers in the State _. know it; and they'll be watchin’.”. “You're right about that, Dan,’ said ' Phil, alarmed. “ And,’’ Daniel Rodd pursued slowly, “1 ain’t ne easy thing for you to get Toney, I’m the only friend you got—and I ain’t got no money. That’s one thing I can’t give you, Phil. I’m sorry.” =s “IT didn’t expect you would have money,”’ Buckley assured him, “ and I don’t know as ¥d take it if you had. You spent an - awful lot, Dan, on that petition; and, Dan, “quietly, “but I ain’t got it. - I think I’d go back to prison before I'd take another cent away from you and your family.” “Tf I had it, you’d take it,” said Dan I can’t get it, and we’ll—” “‘T thought, Dan,” the fugitive suggested appealingly, “‘ that you could hide me for a few days, or maybe. longer, <till things cooled down a bit. Then I could sneak away, and not bother you no more.” Daniel Rodd meditated. A thoughtful frown gathered on his face. He moved nervously ‘around the room. Finally he Digitized by (Go ogle 463 reached a decision, and stood before Buckley. “ Phil,” he said, “ I’m goin’ to hide you; I’m going to help you; but you and me both understand what it means to me. It’s a crime to help an escaped prisoner. They can send me back to prison for a couple of years, maybe, if they catch you and find out that I helped you. It’s a dangerous thing, Phil, but I’m goin’ to take the chance. If it wasn’t for the family I wouldn’t hesitate a second. It was the family that made me go slow, Phil; but now I’ve decided. I’m goin’ to help you.” Buckley deliberated now, as though he had seen a light. Finally he announced: ““T don’t know as I’m goin’ to let you nelp me, Dan. It ain’t right, and I—” « You ain’t got anything to say about it,” Daniel Rodd interrupted. ‘I’m the man that’s made the decision, and you're goin’ to do what I say.”’ “ But s’posin’ I won’t let you do anything for me?” | ‘You ain’t goin’ to act that way, Phil. I wouldn’t feel right in my mind if I turned you away. It would spoil the rest of my life, and I ain’t goin’ to do it. I'll feel better if I help you. And, besides, Phil, I’ve helped you already. I’ve fed "you and gave you clothes instead of drag- gin’ you into town and turnin’ you over to the officers. I’m just as guilty as I'll ever be, and I can’t turn back néw—and wouldn’t if F could. Yes, Phil,’ he stated with finality, “ I’m goin’ to help you.” “It’s mighty good of you, Dan,” Phil rejoined, “ but I don’t feel right about it.” “We ain’t goin’ to think about that now,” Daniel Rodd persisted. “I can’t keep you here. The officers know that you and me was friends in prison, and they know that I worked hard to get you par- doned. They might get an idea that you’d come to me for help, and maybe they'll be payin’ me a visit. I can’t keep you here, but I know a place for you.” “ Where is it?” “.A mile up the river, in the woods, is an old shack. It’s called Robinson’s shack, and is s’posed to be haunted; but we all know there ain’t no such things as haunted houses. But nobody ever goes near it. It Original fro Neo) lODOOLK CO