Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1891 — CHUB. [ARTICLE]

CHUB.

A Romance of West Virgiuia.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XXL. CHUB’S LITTLE BUSE. “It Is plain the Monks have been misled by the paper they found on Dan’s person. They think he has committed an offense or compromised himself in some manner. ” “That’s likely,” said the sheriff. / “Now. to say he was trading with counterfeiters would mislead.” “Precisely, Miss. That was what they did it for.” “But it can be proved by a dozen witnesses that this same gang tried to kill him at the Corners when he came here first, or shortly after he had come here. ” “You’re knowing to the facts, I suppose,” said the Sheriff. Chub blushed. “I happened there just in time to see them after they had rushed on him —four or five on one man.” “Sheriff,” said Dan, shortly, “I wouldn’t be alive now if it was not for the prompt interference of Belle, here. She came on us when they were trying .to murder me. She brought the crowd to time with her rifle. ” “I’ve heard tell of Chub Dawson’s rifle” said the sheriff, glancing admiringly at Chub. “It’s a pretty sure rifle in Chub’s hands,” said her father, proudly. “There’s Eli Potts and his wife will swear they wanted to kill him. I’ll swear It, too—and a good many more will swear it.” “That’s important.” “I can prove it by one of their own gang —he has already confessed it in the presence of scores, that lie was one of a party that waylaid Mr. Ross to kill him. ” “Ah, you can swear it, too* ” “Why, she saved my life that time, too, sheriff. It was the same day they attacked me at the Corners,” said Dan. “So that it will not be so difficult to prove they are lying, if it is necessary to do so. ” “I reckon it will be, Miss.” “Now, here is my plan,” said Chub. “You take Dan to prison; take him at least where they can see him in custody a little whi e. Half an hour or so. Then take him out of prison, to examine him, as it were. “Then let them discover accidentally—by keepers or attendants whispering to each other—that everybody is surprised because Dan has confessed he had dealt in counterfeit money—but not in or near Pine County. ” “I’m listening,” said the sheriff. “Have somebody near each Monk; close enough to hear all they say to each other. Give them opportunity to communicate with each other. Let them think Dan’s transactions were with a member of their gang who is either out of the country, in prison serving his term, or dead. ” “You have a wonderful head, Miss ” “They will put all the guilt on the missing or dead man, until ” “We put it on one of themselves,” said the sheriff. “Exactly. I see you catch my meaning, ” said Chub. “You must surprise them a few hours later by telling them plainly one of the party in prison has made a complete breast of it,” “Then it’ll be pull Dick, pull devil, for which can shirk the most of it. ”

“In that way, they will reveal all you want to know, and they will very soon acquit Dan of all complicity, while tangling themselves up in a snarl that will land them all in prison.” “That’s a splendid plan. I’ll follow your instructions to the letter, Miss Dawson.” “Do,” said Chub. “Make their own silly lie twist ’em off their feet,” said Hank. “That will be poetic justice,” said Dan. “That crowd’s going to get justice, or else there aint any justice on tap in Pine County,” said the sheriff, “but I reether think there is, and the Monks’ get the.r full sheer.” The sheriff laughed softly now. and seemed in great good humor. “You’ll be a willing prisoner now.” “I’ll do anything to help place the scoundrels where they will not molest honest people,” said Dan Ross. “Yes, jest so—jest so. That’s me, every time. Give us your hand, Mr. Ross. I’m proud to make your acquaintance.” 50 it was planned as Chub’s keen wit suggested. The Sheriff gave out, as he took Dan with him, that he was charged by the Monks with being in the same business they were said to be in. To keep up the illusion, Hank Dawson and his daughter drove to the town in another and roundabout direction. Before nightfall it was known all through the district that something very mjsterious was afloat. Dan Bash was arrested for dealing in counterfeit money, and the Monks were ready to prove he did, because he wanted to get some from them, but the little he had was not obtained from them, for they had none. The news seemed to spread to the jail on the wind. Tea minutes after Dan was placed in jail, the Monk gang wore discussing the story, giving details of his dealings with counterfeiters. ' Everything proved the wisdom of Chub. The removal of Dan from the jail, after he was in it half an hour, had the desired effect Wheu they learned that ho had confessed his guilt, they were surprised at first, then they pretended it was just what they anticipated all along. Just hero I will remark, what was greatly to their credit, that, the moment Si Kloan and Hi Perkins, the school director*, beard the Sheriff had arrested Dan, they hastened into town, and made a great ado. They were ready to light for Dan, and were exceeding wroth with the jailer, the attendants, and especially with the Sheriff for not immediately setrting Dan at large when they were prepared to go on Dan's bond. The Sheriff kept the farce up finely. He was the devoted instrument—the arm and embodiment of law. 51 Sloan hinted that he could sling the Sheriff half way to the moon in a wrestling match. Hi Perkihs said he cou’d jump over all the Walkers the) could put in a line in Pine County. The Sheriff solemnly rebuked them. He did more. By giving them admission to the jail,

their frothing and fault-finding informed the Monk gang of every step in the plot to mislead them. In fine, Chub’s plot worked toa charm. When the Monks were informed—by sundry winks and whispers, and the grumbling that Sloan and Perkins kept up—that Squatty had.told all—and more—that he knew, and that one other, whose name was not mentioned at first until the anger of the leaders was excited, had made a clean breast of the do ngs of the grang for years, then the Monks breathed fire and vengeance, alternated with statements that were instantly taken down in shorthand to be used against them. Suffice it to say, the criminations and recriminat ons were so lavish that little more was left for the lawyers to do when they were placed on trial than to prove out of their own mouths the things that warranted their imprisonment. Their own confession, the tools found in their cabin beside the big rock, and the testimony of one or two victims, such as Eli Pott3, was all that was required to satisfy the jury. Their trial came off a few days after the supposed arrest of Dan Ross for complicity in their crimes. They were one and all sentenced to the State’s prison for twenty years. Two counts were considered by the judge in imposing the sentence. Should any of the gang outlive the term for which they have been imprisoned, they are liable to imprisonment on other counts. When the trial was progressing, Si Sloan and Hi Perkins were told the truth by the sheriff, who laughed at them immoderately. As the story was told in the presence of Dan Ross and his father-in-law that would soon be, the directors turned to them for confirmation.

“If Chub was here she’d explain it all better than lean,” said Hank Dawson. “Then it’s true, what the Sheriff says?” Si Sloan was disgusted. “I’ve a notion to go out and kick myself,” he said. “Perkins, you and me’s made jackasses of ourselves, and all the country’ll be laughing at us.” “They’ve a right to,” said Perkins. “Same time, Si, I’ll ras’ll any man as says it. ” “11l jump on the first man that throws it up to me,” said Si. “0, there’s not man/ knows, or is likely ever to know the truth,” said the Sheriff. “Does—say, now, Sheriff—does Tom | Diggers know it?” Sloan asked earnestly. I “les, Tom Walker, let us know the I worst at once. Does Tom Biggers know ! the ins and outs of it? He's been here at the trial three hull days—from the begin nifigT’N “No, said rhe Sheriff solemnly. “Sheriff, we have lost confidence in you. You'll never catch us again. ” Sloan turned to Dan Ross and Perkins to Hank Dawson. “Nobody knows it but the lawyers and us three —Chub, Dan and me,” said Hank Dawson. “That’s a relief, Si,” said Perkins. “Yes: if Tom Biggers knew it, it would be the death of us two, Hiram,” said Si Sloan. Then, as the trial was almost ended, the directors adjourned to refresh their inner man, and congratulate themselves upon the fact that Tom Biggers “didn’t know what darned coots they’d been all along. ” CHAPTER XXIf. A NOTEWORTHY EVENT. When the trial that consumed three days was concluded, and Dan Ross, one of the most prominent if not the chief figure in the court-room, where his testimony was listened to breathlessly, rer turned to Hank Dawsonis to “be on hand for the wedding this time,” as Tom Diggers and the school directors laughingly said, Pine County had but one subject l to talk about. The events of the past week were published throughout the length and breadth of the land. The newspapers were filled with the sayings and doings of the Monks. Their nefarious practices, long suspected but never fully understood by the people of the counties w‘here they operated, were fully exposed—their method of making and circulating the counterfeit money laid bare to the public gaze. Very naturally, the Government detective, Dan Bash, figured in all the accounts. His shrewdness and decision, his tact and courage, were the theme of the hour. The peculiar characteristics of Hank Dawson were described at length, until Hank asked Eli Potts in confidence, “if he wasn’t enough of a public character now to run for President?” Eli Potts said he thought they sometimes got worse material ou Presidential tickets But the public gaze turned with tenfold more curiosity upon the young man whose extraordinary experiences and adventures made him the romantic figure in the trial. Dan Ross —his athletic exhibitions at the plowing match, his endurance when lying a one on the mountain side, his courage when in the hands of the ruffians who had decreed his death —these were the things that the public talked of unceasingly. And beside this figure of a brave, accomplished, highly educated young man demonstrating his strength and energy, the public placed another—Chub, the rich blacksmith’s daughter. The men could not find words strong enough to voice their admiration of Belie Dawson; the women were enthusiastic when th<fy spoke of the bearing of Dan Ross, “The Missing Bridegroom,” who lived to turn the tab es upon his cowardly captors and to enjoy the surprise he gave his most intimate friends when they discovered in Dan Bash, the missing bridegroom and schoolmaster, who became the object of the wrath of a gang of counterfeiters, their old schoolfellow, Dan Ross, who was the most accomplished athlete among five hundred students. The citizens of Pine County deemed it incumbent upon them to demonstrate their gratitude to Chub Dawson and to the schoolmaster, who had been largely instrumental in bringing a gang of ruffians to justice. i This was the drift of public sentiment • when the blacksmith of the Corners isi sued anew the invitations to his daugh- ! ter's wedding, and prepared to celebrate | the event in a manner unparalleled in that part of the State. “Most people only get married once.” said Hank Dawson. “I'm able to afford it, and just because Dan Rc ss was caught under a tree, and then fell into that gang’s hands, and the marriage couldn’t take place, that’s just the reason I’m going to make It more enjoyable, and try to give everybody a chance to have a bigger time.” The enormous quantity of things that came to the corners in boxes, barrels and sacks seemed to the wpndering eyes

of the people who froquenied the Corners sufficient to stock a large grocery. The notes of preparation for the marriage echoed over three counties. But ppw, when the truth was known to Dan Ross’ relatives and friends, the occasion was to be graced by the presence of his mother and sisters and two younger brothers, who, with several of Dan’s college mates, repa red to Pine Couuty in due season. AVhen the afternoon arrived that was to see Belle Dawson married to Dan Ross, the Corners wore an appearance similar to that presented by a lively village on a gala day. The crowd that gathered there, and at the house, and on the grounds around Hank Dawson’s farm house, was one of the jolliest gatherings that could be conceived. State, county and township officials and their better halves were present The wealth, intelligence and brawn of ]£lne County was there—and the beauty. m There were noue there, however,- that did not accord the palm to Belle, otherwise known to all her friends as Chub Dawson. The light-footed, quickhanded, roguish mountain beauty in her wedding dress was royal in her ease aiyi beauty. “Dan,” said his sisters to the bridegroom, “you’re fortunate. Belle will make a decided sensation at Newport. We never would have dreamed such a beauty could be found here. ” “What did you think of my judgment then?” Dan whispered. “Did you think I had lost my appreciation of the finest things in the world? Wait, girls, when she drops her mountain ‘chaff’ and talks of the things she has read —and the things she likes—then you’ll discover why I was attracted by “Chub’ Dawson. Her rare good sense—her accomplishments—charmed me fully as much as her sp'endid beauty.” “The music wo had up to Chub Dawson’s wedding was a Icetle —just a leetle — mite ahead of anything lever heard, and I’ve been to operas and theayters, too, ” said Tom Walker, the. sheriff of Pine county, to a crowd of listeners, when he returned to the county town. “There were sixteen musicians—half played at one time. When they tired the others began. Everybody was there. Upwards of four hundred, by actual count. We began dancing at 1 o’clock, kept it up“till 5; then the preacher got up, married them in short order—didn't take more than ten minutes —then wo sat down to a leetle the Dost dinner ever spread out of doors; the preacher cut the grace short, and when we got up, there was a beautiful concert —instrumental music with it, lots of cigats, oceans to drink, and about half past 7 the dancing began in earnest Lord! The county treasurer danced every set and round dance—everything till plum 4 o’clock the next morning. I danced a few myself. Feel like as if I can't catch up again for a week, And there never was a jollier, happier man, in my opinion, than just Hank Dawson. Hanged if he didn't appear to be as happy as . Chub, on the Missing Bridegroom. ” [the end.]