Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-08-20
A Difficult
Client
By MRS. N. L. RAYNE
Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

TIE had galloped into the little town
of Sunup with nervous assump-
ton of manly excellence and honesty
that commended him to the keen regard
of grizzled valleymen and miners loaf
ing at saloon doors as newcomer Of
some importance, with justifable err
rand to draw him thither. Inside OF an
hour he was locked up in Jail to prevent
his being lynched. This was due to a
telegram that followed in his wake.
Joplin. Mo.-Valuatle horse stolen
here last night from Leonard & Co.
Hold any stranger riding such an ami
NAL until arrival of deputy. By order
Of sheriff,
HIRAM JACKSON"
The only lawyer in the little town Of
Sunup was the highest official there, and
was interested in the stranger to see that
justice was done according to the legal
code of state law instead of by lynch
ing, as had been the peremptory method
in the case Of "hess thief" for which
crime the law had not provided an ade-
quate punishment, according to popular
views.
Lawyer Denison knew that the Sunup
Jail was not strong enough to resist the
attacks of a mob. Missouri jails seldom
are, for in that state the penal code Is
sanctioned by traditional strong rope
and short shrift. Since the young law
yer had succeeded to the profession OF
his father there had not been single
case of lynching, for the reason that he
was cool-headed and too progressive to
follow in the easy-going steps Of his
predecessor, who allowed popular opin-
ion to decide a case for him, throwing
the obloquy of an unjust verdict on the
shoulders of the people. Andrew Deni-
son-the SON made himself respon-
sible for the administration Of law and
order So far he had succeeded even
beyond his own expectations, and now,
in a moment, here was the wild beast
of mob rule growing and showing its
teeth. He did not show the anxiety he
felt as he hurriedly, but with dignity,
went to call upon his client in the jail.
He found the stranger a young mah OF
most attractive personality, but he was
not banking just then on appearances
ITO begin with" said the lawyer,
briefly, what is your manner?
Andrew Denison."
What? You did not understand me.
l asked your name"
And l gave it. My name is Andrew
Denison."
But that is my own name. 1t would
be a remarkable coincidence II you
should bear the same. II you have
chosen it as an alias l must request you
to find another. 1t would be embarrass-
ing to retain it and cause unnecessary
comment"
THE name is mine and was my IA
theirs before me-" the prisoner spoke
with conviction, and the lawyer be-
lieved him, but the case assumed a new
ASPECT. This might be one Of his own
kin. and blood is thicker than water.
you say it was your fathers name
had an uncle named Andrew Denison,
WHO went away from home and was
never heard from. Where did your fam
ily live-in what state?"
The prisoner shrugged his 1.-the, mus
cular shoulders Don't ask me-" he
said. 81 did what my father did-ran.
away from home when a mere lad
but have never been in trouble until
now. It is more than likely that the
whole story will come out il am swung
off at a ropes end here. will be the
victim, but it will be a grewsome
thought for you to carry all your life
that one of your own blood was sacri
feed an innocent man"
This is too strange to be true" NUT
tered the lawyer, nervously.
stranger facts are happening every
day. But we are wasting time. must
get out Of this accursed hamlet, where
they do not know an honest man when
they see one. know l have not much,
of a case. bought my horse OF stran-
ger when l was footsore and weary, AK
ing no questions. l fancy know an
honest man from thief"
His tones were cynical, but with good
reason. The troubled lawyer saw only
one possibility-to Hberate him stealth
lily, and give him the disputed horse to
ride over the hills and far away. He
was debating this plan in his mind when
the prisoner said:
Here is a roll Of money. Give me
one chance on my horses back for lie
nd freedom and I'll put wings to his
eels My trusty revolver has been
taaen, but l would rather escape with
,ul bloodshed. Twill find place where
honest men are not accounted rogues,
and will write you from that point-re-
member, as a namesake, IL not a rela-
tive, l demand your protection"
Early the next morning a deputy
sheriff from Joplin put in an appear
Ance. He was new to the Office, and he
fairly swelled with official importance,
and pulled his cheeks until he resembled
a cherub in their fatness
"I'n here to arrest that boss stealing
teller and take the crack roadster OF
Leonard & Co. back to 'em. Lord, what
nerve the thief had to unite that boss in
Its stall and ride off with him? In broad
daylight, too, and folks that seen him
thought he were takin' him out for air
in. Here's my orders and credentials
to get the animile and have the Teller