Mower County transcript., 1902-08-20
CHAPTER III.
THE BLIND BEGGAR.


He was about to return to the book
he had been reading moment be-
fore, when he heard the sound re-
peated.
''Look up, please" said low voice.
Then he saw man perched in the
old apple tree near his window. He
had never thought of looking there
for anyone. -
For a moment the two men re-
garded each other: Barnett, for the
life of him, could not remember ever
having seen that grizzled face be-
fore.
II don't know you," he said, at
length, thinking that the man in
the tree might be newspaper re-
porter, or a curious-minded fellow
who was bent on getting look at
such a dangerous character.
mo, I know you don't know me-"
replied the other, calmly, never tax
ing his eyes off the young school
teachers face.
"What do you want?"
''To do you service"
''But, if you don't know me, what
possible interest" began Barnett,
and yet there was on earnestness
about the man in the tree that fixed
his attention.
"You are in q close corner, young
man." said the stranger.
''Did you come here to tell me
that?"
mo. I am going to save you, if I
can, and am pretty sure that T
can"
"But I can save myself"
Il sincerely wish you could, my
boy, but it may be a long and tedious
operation, and I think I may be able
to oil the wheels of justice"
Barnett stared at the stranger,
wondering what sort of man he
had to deal with, and why man
he never saw should take such an in
terest in his case.
''Who are you?" he asked, bluntly.
"As I said before, I am man SIM
ply who Is. ready and able, I think,
to do you asgood turn. What my
name is don't" matter just now. You
know that there is quite pile Of
circumstantial evidence against
you?''
''Yes, so it seems .
"With foundation to build on,
they may erect pyramid that will
crush you"
''You3 think SOP" for there was an
~ ckr %ho%
did not fail to make an impression
on the school-teacher.
'Now, justice seldom miscarries to
the extent of hanging an innocent
man, but you may have a good deal
of trouble before you clear yourself
of the CHARGE"
Barnett's face became grave. He
was beginning to realize that what
the stranger told him must be true,
and that his position was fraught
with peril.
'There; I didn't come here to de-
press you, but, rather, to cheer you
up, my boy-to point out that you
must not treat the matter carelessly.
I wanted, too, to make your &C.
quaintance" t.
Was the man mad? Barnett won
dered, but he dismissed the idea
as absurd, for the stranger spoke
sensibly enough, and his eyes were
clear and bright. Well he was not
so burdened with friends that he
could afford to refuse the friendly
Offices Of even q stranger. Perhaps
the man was type Of those eccen-
tries that spring up often when q
crime is committed, and lend sym
pathy and funds to the cause they
have espoused. -. WI
The fellow might do some good
since he spoke so confidently; ct
least, he could do no harm: Bet
this eccentric person have his win,
if it amused him. os.:s5t
"You don't seem to be much OF q
prisoner, with nothing but those
wooden bars between you and lib.
erty," remarked the stranger. "A
good wrench, and out they would
come" ..s ~.
'sAs far as I am concerned, they
ShoA1 ACAAd1A as OACy dACs SdAO5 DdTs
nett. II have many privileges here
that I should lose if tried to $es-
cape, so I shall just let matters run
along as they are, confident that, as
am innocent, need have no fear ~
, "And what Of her?'' - s.@.I=.ss &C.:
The young man cast an .inquisi-
tOrial look at him. -. . . %.;g55.y ;5 s.jcc
"What do you mean % ?' { + -:s.. !, ..zf, ri
II mean Grace-Miss M Il Ellison, /
should say. She knows, of course,
what has taken place." :=. ~ 4 ..sssss .ss
"You know her, then?' feeling q
fresh interest in the unknown. i
"No, I don't know her, but 1t lis
possible that I may see her, if there
is any message that I can carry TO
her coming from you.' y.
1 MAN, II you do that, I am your
friend for hfe!" exclaimed the young
sohool-teacher. "Just wait and i will
Il jot down q few words" and he turned
q