Adventure Magazine Cover — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

The Sheriff of Sun-Dog now. Old Seldon had the .41 that hit yuh. I reckon Smith is goin’ to be able to attend his own trial; but Partner won’t care which way it goes, ’cause he cashed in quick. Kane lived long enough to go out kinda clean. He said that him and Smith and Seldon shot Scott Martin, but he didn’t get time enough to tell which one done the job. Smith handled the sheep deal for Seldon and Voorhies; so that nobody’d know who was doin’ it.”’ ‘““How’s Lafe?”’ asked Brick, suddenly re- membering that Lafe was hurt in the fight. ‘Goin’ around with one arm in a sling and braggin’ about how fast he is with a gun. ‘Thinks he done it all.” Harp laughed and leaned closer. ‘“A couple of ladies have been in to see yuh ever little while. I told Mrs. Wesson that they didn’t give you a square deal. a-tall by thinkin’ you was guilty. Y’ betcha, I gave ’em particular——” Brick shifted his eyes away and Harp grinned. “Didja ever rub Mrs. Wesson the wrong way, Brick? Don’t never do it. Whoo-ee! But say, Brick; they both knowed you wasn’t guilty.” “Why—” began Brick weakly. “Lemme tell yuh, Mrs. Wesson’s a wise lady owl. Them two knowed you wasn’t 173 guilty. Mrs. Wesson didn’t care if you did know how she felt, but she made Miss Mar- tin act like she thought you was guilty.” “But why?” asked Brick. : “Mrs. Wesson told her i#would make yuh feel bad for a while and then you’d git mad as —— and start throwin’ dust. She said you had plenty of brains, but that you couldn’t be happy and be smart all at the same time.” Brick smiled up at the ceiling and shook his head at the wonderful wisdom of some women, while Harp leaned on the edge of the bed and clumsily arranged the blankets. “Mind if I play yuh a tune, Brick?” Brick looked at Harp’s homely face and smiled. “Wish yuh would, Harp—thanks. If yuh feel like singin’—¢go to it.” “Gittin’ shot sure does create a hankerin’ for music,” observed Harp. “I could sing, but I reckon I'll stick to the harp.” Harp started for the door, but stopped. “When yuh git well, I don’t want yuh to point out the fact that I picked on yuh when yuh was flat on your back, Brick.” “Go ahead and play,” grinned Brick. “T—I don’t think I’d mind anything now.” It was neither a request nor a compli- ment to Harp’s musical ability; rather it was a concession, but Harp was hard-boiled, and all he needed was a chance to play. GOMIGoOO S © iin