Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1891 — CHUB. [ARTICLE]

CHUB.

4 Romance of West Virginia.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XV. ■chub’s compact with the detective. “If you arrest Bill Monk—well, you tnay prove it on him, and he may find a way to get pardoned out of the penitentiary, or he may get off altogether. Mr. Potts and his wife were never out of Pine County. They might mix them up in court, and then where’s the proof?” “Well, what do you propose, Miss Dawson’?” “Plain sense. You've got all you can in this case. It won’t hurt it to try and get another—as many as you can, especially if you have a chance of getting eneof the gang to confess all Ji<e knows. ” “Ah! That would be something. Counterfeiters don’t usually leak so ■easily, .though. ” “Don’t they? Weil, maybe you know your business, Mr. ” “CaJl me—call me Bash,” said the stranger, in a low tone. “What! Are you any kin to Mr. Bash?” “I can’t answer that now. I’ve told you what to call me for the present, If you use a name at all. ” “Well, Mr. Bash,” with .an emphasis on the name that brought a faint tinge .to the traveler’s cheeks, “that’s all I’ve got to say. ” “But you was going rto put me on a plan.” s©h, no! Not if you don’t want to be put on a plan. ” “But I do.” “Then you must he guided entirely by me." “But -” “That’s all. If you are ready to do as I say, promise solemnly in the presence of my father and Mr. Potts. ” “And what will you promise?” “I’ll promise on my honor to tell you how yoq will find proof that will place every cne of .the gang—mind, all of them —in the penitentiary, and to clear Pine County of the meanest, lowest lot that ever lived on.the mountains. ” “It’s a bargain. I’ll take my solemn oath in the presence of the ” “There, there! If your word won’t do your swearing’s .of no account with me, Mr. Bash,” said Hank Dawson. “If ■Chub says a thing she'll -do it. Rely •on it.” “Yes, you may, Mr. BaSh,” said Mr. Potts, greatly relieved by ithe turn affairs had taken. He was very much indebted to Chuh, and pressed her hand gently when unobserved by the stranger who called himself '“Mr. Bash for the present ” “Now, then,” said Chub, suddenly; ■“have you any men with you? Can you set cut right away—in an hour, say—on the lookout for the factory?” “I can pay .any tone you .employ or name.” “Y.ou havo power to search everywhere?” •“Everywhere. ” “Then, dad, we’ll start iin a mew direction this time. How much can you pay a day?” “I can pay much or little—a -gre&tdeal, if I choose.” “That’s all, Mr. Bash. Stop right where you are till you bear from us again. Now, dad, let’s get as many men. and boys, and dogs as we can find —we'll just comb the woods in every direction, just the same as if we’d never hunted for Dan at all. ” “That's sensible, too, Chub.” “I'm going to find the counterfeiters’ factory, and I’m going to find Dan before sundown, dad. ” “I hope you may, Chub—l hope you may,” said Hauk Dawson. But in his secret soul he believed Dan Bash was dead—that he would nevdr be found alive, and that the chances were he would never be found in time to receive decent Christian burial. While Mr. Bash was waiting at the Corners he drew Mr. and Mrs. Potts out freely. “That’s a bright girl, that ” “Who, Chub Dawson? ” Eli Potts stroked his chin. “Bright'spo name for it I nevpr knew a girl like"her.” “Nor I,? said Mrs. Potts. “She don’t seem the least bit proud.” “Well, she might be. Hank Dawson’s about the richest man in this—yes, in three counties. You can’t find a man in Oak, Pine, or Forest County like Hank; that is, for ready cash. But you see what he is. No airs at all. ” “Any more children?” “No, Chub’ll get it all.” “Curious name?” “’Taint her name at all,” said Mrs. Potts. “Her name’s Belle. That's the nickname her dad gave her —and everybody kept calling it, because she was such a chubby little girl. She’d climb the biggest trees —hunt and ride, and — well, there’s nothing Chub Dawson can’t do!” “Except play the piano—and paint, and crochet” said Mr. Bash, slyly. Mrs. Potts looked at him. Mr. Potts made a wry face. Then they looked at each other and smiled.

•What arc you looking at each other that way for?” said Mr. Bash. “Because it is so easy to fool the world. * “Meaning me?” •Yes; you, too.” “Why?” •You’ve seen Chubiu her plain gown—heard her talking just as all talk —and you think she don’t know no better.” “Does she?” “She eau teach you anything—that is, about how to behave —and about books and music and painting.” “Hello! How’s that?” “D ye think Hank Dawson, if he was alone.' would allow a daughter to grow up without giving her the best chances? That ain’t Hank Dawson. No! Why, he sent her to the best music-teacher in the city—and to the place where they learn to draw —some college or other, where they design—he spent no end of money on Chub. She’s melodion, or organ—and pianer and a haro but she don’t play on the harp—she docs beat all the players I ever heard tell of on the piano. Oh. yes, and she can write a letter if she's a mind to; but living-here ’mong us, and trying not to be above any one, she’s just like a gal that’s never been to school. ” “Extraordinary—most extraordinary, ” said Mr. Bash. “Yes, ’tis. I never heard of any one like her. And she’s the pluckiest girl I ever seen—Chub is. If Chub Dawson would put her best duds'on. I’ll bet you never saw a pootier gal in all your life. ” ■ “I believe it,” said Mr. Bash. “You may,” said Mr. Potts, solemnly. Whereat Mr. Bash —at the presentwondered very much. This, then, was the aid that was to enable him to capture the slipperiest gang of counterfeiters in the country. They had been shrewd enough to refrain from circulating tho base money near their home. But tho smartest rogues are caught napping occasionally. Either accidentally or deliberately, Bill Monk had given Eli Potts a counterfeit ten dollar note—tho very note that Mr. Bash was on the lookout for, and tho reader has seen how it promised to bring him up with a round turn.