Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-02

child's eyes. He understood only q
small part Of what his host was saying
but realized that 1t had to do with
death. and he had his own terrible ac-
|quaintance with death. He Slipped
from his chair and stole to the judges
side,1 and that gentleman felt cold
hand rest lightly on his arm.
WHAT" he said, glancing up.
I'm mighty sorry you're going to
die, said the boy softly.
Bless you, Hannibal" cried the
Judge, looking wonderfully cheerful, de-
spite his recent bitterness OF spirit.
I'm not experiencing any OF the pangs
of mortality now. Ny dissolution
amt matter OF tonight or tomorrow
there's some life in Slocum Price
yet, for all the rough usage. eh? I've
had my fun could tell you a thing
or two about that, II you had hair on
your chin!" and the selfish lines Of his
face twisted themselves into an -ex *.
ceedingly knowing grin. \. lss,
"You talked like you thought you
were going to die right of" said Han
nibal gravely, as he resumed his chair.
The Judge was touched. 1t had been
more years then he cared to remember
since he had launched decent emo
ton in the breast of any human be-
ing. For a moment he' was silent,
struck with sense of shame; then
he said %
"You are sure you are not running
away, Hannibal? hope you know
that boys should always tell the truth
that hell has It's. own especial ter
rors for the boy who lies'2 Now Il l
Thought the worst OF you, Il might
esteem it my duty to investigate your
story" The Judge laid fat fore
finger against the side of his nose, and
regarded him with drunken gravity.
Hannibal shook with terror. This was
what he had feared. That's one as
pect Of the case. Now, on the other
hand, !, might draw up q legal instru-
ment which could not fail to be of use
to you on your travels, and would stop
all questions. AS for my fee, II would
be trifling when compared With the
benefits I can see accruing to you. w.
mo, amt running away. amt
got no one to run away from" said
the boy chokingly. He was showing
signs of fatigue. His head dropped
and he met the judges glance with
tired, sleepy eyes. The latter looked
at him and then said suddenly:
II think you'd better go to bed"
Il reckon had" agreed Hannibal,
slipping from his chair. w.
well, take my bed back OF the
quilt. You'll find a hoe there. You
can dig up the dirt under the chuck
tick with (which helps astonishing
ly. What would the world say II it
could know that.aJudge .Slocum Price
makes his bed with a hoe! There's
Spartan hardihood!" but the boy. not
knowing what was meant by Spartan
hardihood, remained silent Nearing
threescore years and ten, the allotted
span as set down by the Psalmist-
once man. of fashion, soldier, states
man}and law-giver-and makes his bed
with hoe. What history" mutter-
ed tie Judge with weary melancholy.
as one cropping hand found the jug
while the other found the glass. There
was a pause, while he profited by this
fortunate chance. well, take the
bed" he resumed Hospitality. -
Il can sleep most anywhere. amt
no ways particular" said Hannibal.
81 say, take the bed" commanded
the Judge sternly. And Hannibal quick
ly retired behind the quilt. do you
find it comfortable?" the Judge asked,
when the rustling Of the shuck tick in
formed him that the child had lain
down. ~
Eyes, SIR said the boy.
"Have you said your prayers?" in
quired the: Judge. ....a.gs. -.e-
"No. sir. | amt said 'em yet"
"Well. say them now. Religion is
as becoming in the young as it is re-
spectacle in the aged. I'll not disturb
you tonight, for it is Gods will that /
should stay I'D and get very drunk"
CHAPTER x. q
Some time later the Judge was
aware of step on the path beyond
his door, and glancing up, saw the tall
figure of man pause on his threshold.
A whispered curse slipped from be-
tween his lips Aloud he said: 49,, II
us that you Mr.. Mahaffy?' He
got no reply, but the tall figure. pro-
PEELED by very long legs. stalked into
the shanty and a pair of keen. restless
eyes deeply set under a high, bald
head were bent curiously upon him.
~ take it I'm .intruding," the new
conner said sourly.
"Why should you think that. Solo,
mon Mahaffy? When has my door
been closed on. you?" the Judge asked.
but there was guilty deepening of
the flush on his face. Mr.. Mahaffy
glanced 1T the jug, at the talf-emptied
glass within convenient reach OF the
Judges hand, lastly at the judge him
self, on whose fame-colored visage his
eyes rested longest. s.,g
1--WE heard said. there was honor
among thieves" he remarked. ~
II know of no one better fitted to Of
fer an opinion on so delicate point
than just yourself Mahaffy," said the
Judge, with a thick little ripple of
laughter. But Solomon Mahaffy's long
face did not relax In its set expression.
Il saw your light" he explained,
"but you seem to be raising first-rate
hell all by yourself.
ooh, be reasonable, Solomon. You'd
gone down to the steamboat landing,
said the Judge plaintively BY way OF
answer, Mahaffy shot him contemptu-
GUS glance take chair--do, Solo
mont" entreated the Judge.