The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-04-02
By Geo. T. Pardy


l guide rs he had been born there and
knew the surrounding country like a
| book. Murray hired a splendid team
/ from n liyeryman, consisting OF a light
| cracky wagon and a pair OF spirited
horses, He also procured a shotgun,
/ cartridge belt and two valuable dogs,
! the better to carry out the idea Of the
supposed shooting trip. On Wednes'
day, october 3, the two men started
and drove about 90 miles on the first
stage Of the journey, hating TO break
fast at crossroad store. Here Muir.
ray saw III TO inform his companion
| OF the real object Of their journey, and
the latter protested vigorously. He
| did not relish the idea OF substituting
serious business for pleasure and
changed from n jolly hunter OF fowl
10 solemn faced and much disguised
| policeman. Still, with considerable re.
| lnctanCe, he consented to go on and
they proceeded to the first school TO
which Murray had been directed. The
teacher was a little Frenchman, who
could not speak German and did not
answer to the description Of HERES
in any particular, but he waXed elo.
quent In dilating on the physical at.
fractions OF the teacher in the next
district school.
'Zat man." said the volatile Gaul,
The hat re long mustache. Very fine,
| oh, very fine! Ze long curling moos.
tache--and haf no moostache at all I"
He clasped his hands and sighed
mournfully at the conclusion of his
speech and Murray, having thanked
him, climbed back into the wagon fol-
lowed by the still sullen Richardson,
and drove of. 1t began to look as
though the long trail was drawing to a
close, for judging from the little
Frenchman's description there was
every indication that the other teacher
was the much sought for HERES
When they came in sight OF the school
Murray unhitched the horses. tied
them. and the two men started across
toward the building on foot
III this is the man want said Muir,
ray TO his companion, 81 will nod to
you and you arrest him"
"I'll do nothing of the kind" said
Richardson sulkily. In the first place.
have no authority and won't arrest
man without It,"
Murray swore savagely under his
breath, but maintained an air of un.
RULED GOODNESS He saw that Richard
son, who had been drawn into the
affair against his will, meant what he
said, and would probably persist in his
refusal TO assist him. II would never
do TO have his mission fail Just at the
moment when It looked as though sue.
cess was about to crown his efforts.
Ihere was nothing for It but to try the
effects of a gigantic blum and coerce
this unwilling policeman into second
ing him. He halted abruptly and sur.
veyed Richardson with a cold and
menacing air.
Sec here. Richardson" he said
sternly, I've had enough Of this inter.
ference with me in the execution OF
my duty. | want you to understand
that Pm an United States marshal,
and that what ! say goes. Now let's
have done with this nonsense. | here,
by declare you my deputy and under
my orders. You must obey the law
and serve"
Not without being sworn in" re-
turned Richardson doggedly. For all
his companions show of buster Muir.
rays quick eye detected signs of yield.
ing. He drew n bundle OF imposing
looking documents from his pocket,
glanced over them ami selected one
with seeming care.
"Kneel down." he commanded Rich.
ardson. with burlesque air of au.
thorlty. 'I'll swear you in right now
and then disobey me at your peril"
Richardson hesltated q moment and
then knelt down among the brlers.
Holding the official looking aper over
his head Murray slowly mumbled the
form Of an awe.inspiring oath.
do you swear?" he asked solemnly
at the conclusion OF the ADMIRATION.
wv lSspOuutu hiShdl ubOu.
Then get up and come with me-" or.
dered Murray and Richardson, arising
walked humbly beside his newly ap-
pointed chief to the schoolhouse They
pushed open the door and entered
There stood the teacher, dapper and
with dropping mustaches, but instead
of being "chet. black his hair and mus
tache were brown. In every other
particular he answered the descrip-
ton OF the missing man. He was q
bleached Heres. Murray scanned
him closely, and just then the suspect
raised his hand and twirled his mus.
tache nervously. That one action
cllnched the Identification in the Of
ficer's mind. 1t was surely HERES.
There were about 30 children, mostly
girls. in the room and they eyed the
strangers curiously.
Teacher, how long have you been
here?" ash ed Murray.
For Seine time, ever since school
opened." he replied In slng-song
voice.
What Is your manner"
John Walker"
when did you leave Canada?" in.