The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-08

sion; but MT. Sanders wes not gloomy He was filled to tho brim with lnpntienco and was to be seen cona tuftly walking the streets, or occupying his fayorite seat on the court-house steps, the sent that had always attracted him when he was communing with John Barleycorn. But he and John Barleycorn were strangers now; they were not on speaking terms. He avoided the companionship of those who were in the habit of seeking him out to enjoy his drolleries; and various ru- mors flew about as to the cause of his ap- parent troubles. He was on the point of joining the church, having had enough of the worlds sinfulness; he had lost the money he made by selling cotton directly after the war; he had been tilted by some buxom country girl.
 The tittle-tattle of the town ran in a different direction when some one dis covered that the Hacking Roan was tiea every day to the rack behind the court house. Then the gossips were certain that the Yankees were after MT Sanders, and his horse was placed close at hand in order to give him an opportunity to es- cape MT Sanders apparently confirmed this rumor when he told Cephas to take the horse to Cloptons, should he find the animal standing at the rack after sundown.
 As MT. Sanders walked about, or sat on the court house steps, he wondered if he had made all the arrangements nee essary to the scheme he had in view. He had made a visit to Malvern, and re- mained there several days. He had met the mayor of the city, the chief of police, and the latter had casually introduced him to the chief of the fire department MT. Sanders accounted himself very fortunate in making the acquaintance of the fire chief, who was what might be termed one of the unreconstructed. This official toog an eager interest in the scheme which MT. Sanders had in view. In fact, as he said himself 1t was a personal in terest. He invited MT. Sanders to the headquarters of the fire department.
 ''Tll tell you why want you to come" he said. There's a man in my office, or he will be there when we arrive, who is likely to take as much interest in this thing as l do. Have you ever heard of Capt. Buck Sanford?"
 MT. Sanders paused in the street, and stared at the fire chief Heard of him ? We'll, I should say. He's the fellow that fights a duel before breakfast to get up an appetite Well, welli how many men has Buck Sanford winGed?n
 oh, quite number, but not as many as he gets credit for. He comes in my private office every morning, and he's a
 
 at the heels right after the war. and then happened to find out that he had a great talent in getting the truth out of crimi- nals. We sometimes arrest man against whom there Is no direct evidence of guilt, and If we didn't have some one skillful enough to make him own up, we could do nothing. Buck always knows whether a fellow is guilty or not, and we turn over the suspect to him, and whatever he says rhn Ia -tt- t.. flt- of furniture, and you'd think he was a wooden man. Now you go down with me, and go over your scheme so that Buck can hear you, and whatever he says do will be the thing to do.'
 When MT. Sanders and the chief arrived at the headquarters of the department. and entered the private office they found a pale and somewhat emaciated young man sitting in chair which was leaned against the wall at a somewhat danger ous angle. He was apparently asleep: his eyes were closed and he held between his teeth a short but handsome pipe. He made no movement whatever when the two entered the room. His hat was on the floor at the side of his chair and had evidently fallen from his head. His hands were small and thin and his skin had the appearance of parchment. 9
 At the request of the chief. Mir Sanuers went over the details Of his plan from beginning to end, and at the close the young man, who had apparently been asleep, remarked in a thin, smooth voice. Wont it be a fine day for pa radew
 His eyes remained closed; he had moi even taken the pipe out of his mouth There was silence of many long sec onds. Evidently he had no more to say. Buck is right" said the chief. What does he mean? ?' MT. Sanders in' quired.
 Why he means that it will be a fine day for general turnout of the depart ment," replied the chief
 MT. Sanders reflected moment anc then made one of his characteristic com ments. Be jigged eff he aint saved my | lifei"
 Captain Sanford, this is MT. Sander: | of Shady Dale" said the chief. by wa, | of introducing the two men. Both rose