The Van Buren press., 1903-08-08
A Difficult
Client
BY MRS. NJ. L. RAYNE
Copyright, 1905, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

TIE had galloped into the little town
of Sunup with nervous assump-
Jion of manly excellence and honesty
that commended him to the keen regard
of grizzled valleymen and miners loaf
ing at saloon doors as a newcomer OF
some importance, with justifiable er-
rand to draw him thither. Inside OF an
hour he was locked up in Jail TO prevent
his being lynched. This was due to
telegram that followed in his wake
Joplin, Mo-Valdable horse stolen
here last right 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 a "hoss 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 iails seldom
are, for in that state the penal code is
sanctioned by traditional strong rope
and short slrift Since the young law
yer had succeeded to the profession OF
his father there had not been single
case of lynchng, 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 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 young man OF
most attractive personality, but he was
not banking Just then on appearances.
"To begin with" said the lawyer,
briefly, what is your name?"
Andrew Denison.'
What? You did not understand me.
| asked your name
And gave 1t, My name is Andrew
Denison"
But that is my own name. It would
be a remarkable coincidence If you
should bear the same. If you have
chosen it as an alias must request you
10 find another It would be embarrass-
ing to retain it and cause unnecessary
comment
"The name is mine and was my ia
TIERS before me-" the prisoner spoke
with conviction, and the lawyer be-
ueyed 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
lily 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 mere lad
but | have never been in trouble until
now. 1t is more than likely that the
whole story will come out II am swung
off al 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, neryously.
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 have not much
of a case bought my horse of a stran-
ger when was footsore and weary, ask
ing no questions | fancy know an
honest man from thief"
His tones were cynical, but with good
reason. The troubled lawyer saw only
one possibility-to liberate him stealth
lily, and give him the disputed horse to
ride over the hills and far away He
wos debating this plan in his mind when
the prisoner said
Here Is roll Of money, Give me
one chance on my horses back for life