The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1910-08-06

The little man was softly WAlStilH
as he came up the street. II was =
village street and the little man was
not in hurry.
The air he whistled was "Annie
Laurie
The little mans hair was OF pa'e
straw color and his eyes We're light
bue He was straight and trim, al
though he walked with his feet rather
vide apart.
The little man wore a gray suit O.
cloth of rough texture, his hat was
loft and his black tie was loose and
flowing, and in his right hand ne
bore travelling bag.
He whistled Annie Laurie IN a
soft and lingering fashion as II ne
.oyed it. and occasionally broke Off
the whistle and gently hummed the
air.
Suddenly an unusual sound drew
bis attention. 1t came from DIS
lance. He paused at the corner OF a
cross street. The sound was repeat
ed. It was a quick snap, like the
crack of a whip. And the whip snap
ped again.
He turned and walked down the
cross street, quickening both pace
and tune Presently he saw several
men hurrying across the roadway.
They disappeared beyond a house
and the little man quickened his pace
again.
Crack! Crack.
There was no installing the sound
It came from a revolver. The little
man broke into a trot.
As he turned the corner he was
stopped by stout man with heavy
whiskers.
Hold on" said the stout mai
There's danger this way"
II The little man stared around, still
softly whistling Then he looked up
at the stout man.
What appears to be the danger?'
asked. His voice was mild and ne
spoke with a mild drawl.
Keep out o. range" cautioned the
stout man. We've got a bad man
penned up in that cottage across there
two O. them, maybe, though we amt
seen but one-an' he's got a couple
o guns an a pocket full O. cartridges"
The little man stared at the cot
tage. There was no sign Of life about
It
What's the bad man done, fr in
stance?" he drawled.
stabbed another Teller down at
IT, railroad saloon, an then shot Con-
stable Jim Hecker thro' tn arm. He's
half drunk an all ugly"
The little man nodded.
Pretty good shot?"
"Yep. Just a moment ago he put
bullet thro' tn sheriff's hat"
Sheriff in charge here?"
Yep. He's in the house just op-
posite. Hold on there"
But he was too late The little man
had darted in the nearest back yard
and was climbing fence.
A moment later he faced the army
veteran whose grateful fellow citi-
xens had held him in the sheriff's Of
nee for many years.
"Howdy, sheriff." said the little
man.
What are your" he sharply asked.
The little man smiled.
Thought mebby you might appre-
ciate a volunteer He stopped the
fahertf's peppery response with
quick gesture. I'm some acquainted
With bad men," he mildly aaued.
The sheriff studied the little mans
iace. Then he slowly smiled.
What's your advice?" he presently
asked.
The little man put down his travel
ing bag and laid his hat on it.
The taking of advice is the begin
nlng OF action" he said. do you
want the fellow killed."
Why, no." replied the sheriff. AN
We don't want him to kill anybody
out"
Inc little man shook his head.
100 Slow he said. He may
nave plenty of supplies in that shack
a you can't afford to tie up the
street to crafty a crazy brute. Have
you thought of rushin' him."
a Inc sheriff called to a man who
las peering cautiously through a
mont window.
i'm thompson, said the veteran,
wants to rush him"