Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-06-18

stss9s1 1917
Pm going home"
for liar, and the court, who had been
impressed by the brand, looked puz-
lied.
Amt there no more witnesses?' he
demanded YEARLY, and when mega
tive ensued he sat thinking.
The clerk spoke out boldly:
May 1t please the court, kin tell
ali present how old Judge Rafferty, es-
tatdshed precedent in sich case
ms this way buck when was young
ster''
Go on" said the court, much reliev-
ed.
"'Twas almost EXACTLY like this"
wleezed The clerk, only twas sor-
rel colt stead of sheep. The parties
had knowed each other for some time.
Twas Ann Hatfield an Samuel Mas
sey as claimed the colt, an there they
stood, the girl lookin' as sassy as you
plense at Massey. She were a pretty
girl, though not so much SO as Miss
Keep to your argument" said the
court abruptly.
well. Rafferty, he couldn't decide,
an says he, No common law kin pint
on this matter says he. 4 kin turn to
the Bible says he, which is a mighty
good code in itself says he, am follow
the example of jeremiah says he-'or
WIS it lsaiahY-who cut that unfornit
baby in two says he. I'll just slice
the colt In two.' says he, an give you
each half
"At that Ann she gave scream, an
her big blue eyes filed up pitiful. You
KANT do that, says he.
Then says rafferty,, well do my
I'll marry you both out of hand,
right here, says he, an there needn't
be no more disputes over the lamb
colt, nean-neyer 10 more"
y faint~cheer arose. Miss Hender-
son sprang up.
I'm going home" she declared
chollingly. Il don't care what be-
comes of the lamb. Ill never touch
him again. There's my purse" she
added flinging it into the Justices lap
before he could rise. III ! owe any
thing, pay it,"
She was In tile saddle and galloping
down the road before the court had
time to recover.
Shes done split real interestin'
case" said the clerk regretfully. ITS
goin' to be throwed out, after all.
Here's the bill of costs, your honor.
Mr.. Brownlow will want to nav his
share"
WHO'S goin' to take the darned
lamb?" cried the court. MIR. Brown
low, you mont as well have him."
81 don't want him." said Herbert,
with nearly as much rcpressed fury as
Miss Henderson had shown.
II KANT have him here" protested
the alarmed Justice. st aln't legal to
leave things on the courts hands, an,
besides, he'll eat all my garden sass.
Blast you" he added to the clerk.
It's all your fault. She didn't like
what you said about that old fool Raj
ferty.
a swift impulse decided Herbert to
take the fat little creature and drop
him in the Henderson yard.
Meantime Miss Henderson rode
homeward, quite unconscious that she
was an object of interest to two vii
famous looking horsemen who were
passing that way after leaving the last
town by request
Not till their hands were on her relns
did she realize her peril, and, strange
to say, her cry for help was in Her
bert's name. Riding just above her
In the detile whore he had first captur-
ed Billy, lie heard her voice and came
down on the marauders.
Before the impetus of Browniow's
horse the nearest thief went down,
broncho and all. The other showed
1ght, and brisk exchange of shots
took place, but when the fallen one
regained his horse and fled the Drawer
rogue followed suit.
Sobbing with relief, Miss Henderson
turned gratefully to her rescucr. who
sat stiifiy in his saddle, now clasping
Billy across his broad chest.
How generous and bravew she cried
eagerly II have been horrid to you.
just wanted to make you uncomfort-
able ana"
Very well" said her escort hoarsely
and curly. Shall we ride on?'
Miss Henderson complied. Under the
influence Of his distracted and almost
unsracious inunner she felt her old
grievance returning and held herself
stinly.
hey rode on In silence until she per-
cclved sreat spot OF crimson soaking
through tie wcol of the patient Billy.
She cried out In pity.
Hes hurt Let me take him.
Yes, take him. said Brownlow In
distinctly, and rs she drew the lamb
on her lap her escort pitched forward
oil his horses neck with barely the
to cling there blindly, and the
horriiied girl understood.
Billy was dropped with swiftness
that dazed him. and he stood helpless.
~ gazing after the strange pair, for
Miss Henderson had her arms around
her enemy's shoulders and was des-
perately trying to hold him In the sad.
die until they could reach her fathers
But even this ride home was not so |
hard us facing the county clerk six
months afterward and being congrotu.
lated that, after all, the case had been
settled III 'Rafferty's way"
It's the Men