Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-09-03
| Ge
| Rogue 5
! March,.

Fl
d.. ;;sss!ss.ss;s q sssissess@# *a@.
Now In this poor hut, opposite that
stockade full of felons and In that des.
ert place. the major kept a few dozens
of admirable wine and some boxes of
excellent cigars. Two Of these. were
nlight, and the gentlemen had clinked
glasses and taken a sip before Major
Honeybone would permit himself to
open his excellency's letter. Hardly
had he done SO when he regretted both
wine and cigars. He looked up sud
denly and in wrath, which. however,
was somewhat disarmed by the eager
light he thus surprised in the visitors
strong and dusky face.
What on earth do you want him
for? call this most monstrous re
quest" said Major Honeybone, and
the last sentence was meant to have
come first until Daintree's look invert-
ed them.
''Request?' said Daintree, raising his
eyebrows slightly.
Eyes, sir, requestr' cried the major
command, sir. is a thing don't take
from gentleman I've never had the
honor Of setting eyes on, and this is
one that Sir Richard Bourke, sir, would
sooner have died than giye!''
Daintree pursed up his eyes. AS II
was only by patient exercise of two
chara cteristic qualities that he had got
the letter Mt all, SO he now saw that
he must trust to those two qualities to
overcome this other masterful man
He must be diplomatic, he must have
patience, he must pick his way where
he could not force 1t, and 1t was very
clear that there would be-no forcing
this Major Honeybone.
The letter authorized and begged
the major to deliver and hand over
Thomas Erickson, Seahorse, then un.
dcrgoing sentence III the majors iron
gang, to the bearer. who particularly
wished to have him for his assigned
Ibodyservant and undertook to make
himself thenceforward responsible for
the said. convict's good behavior. II
was al irregular letter. No reason was
given for granting such a favor at all
1t did say, however, that Mr.. Daintree
would give his reasons, and with the
letter III both hands, as though ON the
point of tearing 1T up, the major leaned
back in his chair and regarded the 9th
er with prolonged and curious stare.
what are your reasons?" he asked
at length.
He is an Innocent man." replied
Daintree impressively.
convicted murderer, under
stand"
Wrongly convicted. followed bis
ease, Bid yous s
...Np, sir, said the major. They
tgiye me quite enough work out here.u
.sAVell, ! did follow tn the visitor
went on. aBetween ourselves. Major
Honeybone, did great deal more
/, than that. The case Interested. me from
, the first. | knew something about this
poor lad. That knowledge. together
with the circumstances Of the case
CONVINCED me at the time that he was
Ian Innocent man."
"He isn't one now" remarked Major
| Honeybone.
I'll am not pauper, sir" proceed
ed Daintree, with embarrassment. y
don't want this to go any farther; but
You see, knew something about the
hoy, and. In short, found the money
for his defense
.The dickens you did!' exclaimed the
major. Then you were a friend OF
ibis r.
II am his friend, sir, though he has
never seen me"
ut was a noble thing to do-'p my
isoul 1t was!'t observed the major, very
much impressed. quite quixotlc, 'pon
imy soul!' W
This open admiration hit Daintree II
his weakest spot. He leaned forward
and quoted the irresistible figures IN q
sndden blaze Of self satisfaction.
flor. 7, said tile major. You don't
IsaY so? Gadzooksp. ~
"When do a thing Mt ALL" remark
ed Daintree, with perfect truth. II dc
1t With all my heart, Either that or
leave 1t alone. so need hardly tell
you / didn't stop short at Sergeant
Culliford. No, sir, went to Lord
John Russell himself. II would be. al
i effectation We're I to conceal my In
Ipression that his lordshtp's final de
lcisIon was not uninfiuenced by what
lsaid..
Major Honeyhone was too used K
| Hes not to know the truth when he
chanced to hearslt. He filed up boil
GLASSES and sucked thoughtfully at hls
|cigar. Raintrae watched him With an
eager eye,
$50 he owes hts life to your" said
he major at last. 'eyvell, sir, then 1t !,
lmy duty to tell you that he owes 70,
The greatest conceivable grudge"
Daintree sighed.
i " know what you mean, said he
II have heard much from the principa
l superintendent of conyicts. I am onl,
afraid have more to hear from you"
i Not great deal,' said the major
shrugging his shoulders. ''YIe has hat
four fioggings here aud one before b,
| came here, but that's always the way
i / have known conyicts who have neve
had the lash, but very few who'y,
Dnly had It once. 1t has a bad effect
But what can you do? j may tell you
sir, now that / think we understan,
each other, you are not the only maj
Interested In; Erickson. take an iatar
| est In him myself. but there's no dom.
II 0nythinE with him md there yx.nul,