The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-01
.rh.ts the Lords truth. responded


 Tom Afford, after awhile. ''that Hotch- kiss feiler goes out to MAhlon's by fust one road and then the other. You know whsrs Ike Warner nvss: well. Ike's wife is mighty good-looking yaller gal. an when Hotchkiss kuows that Ike ain't at homo, he goes by that road. got all that from . nigger that works for me. If Ike ain't at homo. he goes in for . drink of water. an then he tells the yaller gal how to convert Ike into bein' . radical. That's what the gal tells my nigger.. Well. put . flea in Ike's ear t'other day. on night before last, Ike comes to me to borry my pistol. You know that short. sinEle-barrel shebang? understandin' that he wasn't to shoot any spring. doves nor wild peafowls."
 The mon laughed. and then sat or stood silent, each occupied with his own reflections, until Sam Hathaway return ed. Whereupon. they moved on.
 It was now dark. and ordinarily Ga- briel would have gone to supper. But. instead of doing that, he went on toward town. and met Hotchkiss and Boring on the outskirts. They were engaged in . close conversation when Gabriel met them. It would have been great deal better for him and his friends if he had passed on without word. but Gabriel was Gabriel, and he was compelled to act according to Gabriers nature. So, without hesitation. he walked up to the two men.
 ''Is this MT. Hotchkissr' he inquired.
 That is my name" replied Hotchlxiss in his smoothest tone.
 Are you going out to Buttss tonight?'
 Now, that is a queer question: re- marked Hotchkiss, after . pause-'a very queer question, What is your nameT
 'sTolliver-Gabriel Tolliver."
 Gabriel Tolliver--h'm-yes. We'll. MT. Tolliver. why are you so desirous of knowing whether l got to Butts's to- night?"
 Honestly" replied Gabriel. a little net tied at the mans airs. T don't want to know at all. simply wanted to advise you not to go there tonight"
 "Oh, you wanted to advise me not to go. Now. then, let's go q little further into the matter. Why do you want to advise me?' Hotchkiss was a man who was ripe for . discussion at all times, and upon any subject. Have you any special interest in my welfare?''
 T think not" replied Gabriel bluntly. T simply wanted to drop you a hint. You can take 1t or not. just as you choose" With that. he turned on his heels. and went hdme to supper. little drea ming that his kindness of heart. and his sincere efforts to do a stranger a favor would involve him in a tangled web of circumstances from which he would find it almost impossible to escape.
 Gabriel heard Hotchkiss laugh. but he did not hear the remark that followed.
 ''Why. even the children and the young men think am a coward. It is the most peculiar mental delusion I ever heard. The probability is that the young man who has just delivered this awful warn ing has laid wager with some of his companions that he can fill me full of fright and prevent my going to Butts's."
 Now. don't think thati' replied Bor- ing. or Bridalbin. T know these people to the core. That young man has prob ably heard some threat made against you. and he thinks he is doing the chiv- alrous thing to give you a warning. Chiv- airy! Why. I reckon that word has done more harm to this section. first and last, than the war itself"
 'Or. more probable still,'' suggested Hotchkiss, ''he was simply trying to find out whether I propose to go to Butts s tonight. If had some one to keep an eye on him, we might be able to procure some important information disclosing a conspiracy against the officers of the Government. A few arrests in this neigh borhood might have a wholesome and subduing effect"
 Don't you believe it, said Bridalbin. "I know these people a great deal better than you do.''
 'I know them a great deal better than I care to-" remarked Hotchkiss dryly. '1 have not a doubt that these conspirators will make an effort to frighten me. have no doubt that they will make a strong effort to run me away. But they can't do 1t, my friend. I feel that I have a mission here. and here I propose to stay.
 well. can keep an eye on Tolliver If you think 1t best" Bridalbin suggest ed somewhat doubtfully. 'I know where he lives"
 Do that. Boring" exclaimed Hotch- kiss with grateful enthusiasm. Come to the lodge about nine or half-past. and report" The Hodge was the new name for the old school-house, and in that di- rection Hotchkiss turned his steps.