The National tribune., 1901-10-24
A, MISSOURI PIONEER.
Continued from ar.t p.ss.j

attorney, and on his ability depended
many legal questions. The old man
| chuckled until he was almost suffocated
when they brought Lucas back wounded.
There was another person standing near
the shore watching the affair from across
the river with humane anxiety. 1t was
Hezekiah Van Loon, the itinerant school
master.
at is barbarousw he declared. when
Burr killed Hamilton l thought it brave,
but l have changed since 1 left home.
1t is cowardly."
He went to the tavern after the duel
lists had returned, and sat down to think
| OF some plan by which he might go home.
There was lying at the shore, tied up
with great cables, q firebreathing mon
ster, which had plowed the waves and
| dared the sawyers and snags OF the Faith
er of Waters. Ten days had elapsed since
| il reached st. Louis amid the acclama-
lions, plaudits and wonder of the inhab-
itants. 1t had been inspected, from its
great black chimneys to its boiler and
monster paddle-wheels,
The appearance of the steamer Gen.
Pike" had aroused hope in the breast Of
| Van Loon. He thought il might return
to the mouth OF the Ohio and, ascending
| that stream, take him nearer home. But
he soon learned that such was not the
destination of the boat, and even if it was
he had no money to pay his passage. He
would have offered to work his way, but
he could do nothing that would be accept
able.
He divided his thoughts between a de-
sire to 90 home and sympathy for the
poor young man who had been so badly
wounded. He thought how grieved and
anxious his parents must be, and won
dered if he had a sweetheart or wife to
watch and weep over him while he suf-
fered and possibly died.
1t was late in the evening when La
Boone found him still sitting on the
porch, still studying and hoping, but al
most in despair. The pirate did not know
that he was spreading a snare for his
own foot when he broke in upon his
meditatiOns that day.
''Hezekiah, | want to talk with you"
said the land SPECTATOR, in his low,
whcezy voice.
Il have plenty time now, for have no
scholars" said the schOol-master.
You came from New York;"
Yes, sir; l came from that city"
How long have you been awayr'
1T has been several years since I left
home, but | am going back soon," he de-
clared
How soon?"
Il don't know; just as soon as I can
get scholars enough to make the money"
Scholars be sunk. You'll never go,
them
why do you say that, Mr. La Boomer"
You don't find scholars in the back
woods, do yOu? in wheezy, half-whis-
per, as he drew chair up near to the
School-master.
Not many"
81 knew it. Now, you'd like to go
back very much, wouldn't ycu?"
YES"
well, the Gen. Pike is going to New
Orleans, and from there you can take |
ship to New York"
He paused, with his puffy black eyes
on the schoOl-master, as if he would pierce |
him through. Van Loon was not shrewd |
man. He could not conceal his feelings, |
and his flushed cheeks indicated his de-
sire; but they paled a moment later as he
answered:
''BGt all that takes money, Mr.. La |
Boone, and L haven't any, or not
You would like to go very much,
wouldn't your"
This was very cruel question to ask
one who had left sweetheart and mother
in the far-Off home, who were still look
ing and fondly waiting for his return.
''Ics, sir; my widowed mother is there,
She has been waiting, looking and watch
ing for me, no doubt until she has be-
come nearly heartbroken; but l am going
back-I am going home"
La Boone had been carefully feeling
for the weak spot in the schooi-master's
nature, and had found it.
Now, sir. if you want to 60 home real
bad, may be able to secure you passage;
but you must do something for me-"
His face all aglow with joy, Van Loon
cried:
81 will do anything for you, sir; any
hing that is honorable
Then, come to my room," La Boone
whcezed in his low voice. I'VE can't
talk here"
They went to his room, where the land
pirate closed the windows and set the
lighted candle on table on which was
quill pen and an ink
norm. Then he drew up a chair and seat
I'd himself opposite the school-master.
There was quite contrast between the
TWO. The schOol-master was tall, lean
and cadayerous, with a prominent nose
md pale-bIue eyes, while the pirate was
'Orpulent, stockily-built, q round, full
face, with black eyes peeping out from
puffy lids which almost concealed them.
His lips we're thick, his chest large and
lose low and fiat.
Laying his arms on the table before
lin, he leaned forward, and in a wheezy
ialf whisper asked:
Wasn't you once clerk in the Land
Office at Les Petites Cotes, at st.
Charlcsp'
mo, sir; assisted the clerk in max
ng out the plats and numbers from the
surveyors reports"
"Ah! that is it. Very good, Their; it
will do as WE'LL" wheezed La Boone, his