Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-24
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.5 PI5j JUDGE J! y
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VAUGHAN HESTER QA(ZMRkE'

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gently.
You wouldn't let 'em take me, would
you, Uncle Bob?" asked the child IN
a fearful whisper.
"Such an idea amt entered my head.
And this here warranting is just some
of Dave Blount's cussedness.
"Uncle Bob. whatll they do to you?
"Well, reckon the squirell feel
obliged to do one of two things. ne
will either fine me or else he won't.
"What'll you do II he fines you
why, pay the fine. Nevyy-and
then lick Dave Blount again for SUI
ring up trouble. That's the way we
most in general do. mean TO say
give him good licking, and tnatll
make him stop his foolishness.
Wasn't that good licking you gave
him on the OK Road, Uncle Bob!,
asked Hannibal.
st was pretty fair TO- starter. but
I'm capable Of doing a better JOB, re-
sponded Yancy. n. I. u s3j
They overlook Uncle Sammy as he
turned In at the squtre's.
II thought I'd come and see what
kind OF law body gets at this here
cot OF yours" the patriarch explained
to Mr.. Balaam, who, forgetting his
lumbago, had hurried forth to greet
him. 4
"But why did you fetch your gun,
Uncle Sammy asked the magistrate,
laughing.
'Hit were to be on the safe side,
Squire. Where air them Blounts?'
Them Blounts don't need to bother
you none. There air only Dave. and
he can't more than half see out OF one
eye today
The squirrels court held its infrequent
sittings in the best room of the BALKAN
homestead, q double cabin Of hewn
logs. Here Scratch Hill was gratified
with view Of Mr.. Blount's battered
visage, and 1t was conceded that his
condition reflected creditably on Yam
cy's physical prowess and was OF 9
character fully to sustain that gentle
mans reputation; for while he was
notoriously slow to begin fight, he
was reputed to be even more reluctant
to leave of once he had become in
volved In one.
whats all this .here fuss between
you and Bob Yancy?' demanded the
squire when he had administered the
oath to Blount. Mr.. Blount's state
ment was brief and very much to the
point. He had been hired by Mr..
Bladen, OF Fayetteville, to go to
Scratch Hill and get the boy who had
been temporarily placed in Yancy's
custody at the time of General Quint-
ards death.
..Stop just there!" cried the magis-
trate. leveling a pudgy finger at Blount
-.This here cot is already cognizant
OF certain facts bearing on that pint.
The boy was left with Bob Yancy
mainly because nobody else would take
him. Them's the facts Now go on"
he finished sternly.
"I only know what Baden told me"
said Blount sullenly.
well. l reckon Mr.. Baden ought
to feel obliged to tell the truth" said
the squire.
"He done give me the order from the
Judge of the co't-I was to show 1T
to Bob Yancy-'
Got that order?. demanded the
squire sharply. With a smile, damag-
ed. but clearly smile, Blount pro-
duced the order. "Hmm--app'inted
guardeen of the boy the squire was
presently heard to murmur. The
crowded room was very still now, and
more than one pair of eyes We're turn
ed pityingly in Yancy's direction.
When the long arm Of the law reached
out from Fayetteville, where there was
a real Judge and real sheriff, 1t
clothed itself with very special ter.
rors. The boy looked up into Yancy's
face. That tense silence had struck
a chill through his heart.
tits all right whispered Yancy re-
assuringly, smiling down upon him.
And Hannibal, comforted, smiled back,
and nestled his head against his Uncle
Bob's side.
well, Mr.. Blount. what did you do
with this here order?" asked the
squire.
II went with it to Scratch HILL"
said Blount.
"And showed it to Bob Yancy?
asked the squire
mo. he want there But the boy
was and took him in my buggy and
drove off, I'd got as far as the Ok
Road forks when l met Yancy
What happened then but body
don't need to ask! Looks like the law
was all you had on your side!" and the
squire glanced waggishly about the
room.
81 showed Yancy the order
"You lie, Dave Blount; you didn't"
said Yancy. But I can't say as 1t
would have made no difference, Squire,
He'd have taken his licking just the
same and I'd have had my neyvy out
Of that buggy Il.
Didn't he say nothing about this
here order from the cot, Bob?"
There want much conversation,
Squire. I invited my nevvy to light
down, and then snaked Dave Blount
cut over the wheel"
who struck the first blown"
He did, He struck at me with his
buggy whip
What you got to say to this, Mr..
Blount?" asked the squire.
II say showed him the order like
said" answered Blount doggedly.
Squire BALKAN removed his spectacles
and leaned back in his chair.
cts the opinion of this here cot
that the whole question of assault
rests on whether Bob Yancy saw the
order. Bob Yancy swears he didn't
uco n uhi1o navA pl0upt s1u ooro ho