Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-28

and looked at the bill again, turning
it over and over In his hand. Then he
folded 1t carefully into the smallest
possible compass and once more tied
a corner OF his handkerchief about 1t,
this time with two knots instead or
one: these he afterward tested with
his teeth.
II low she won't come undone
now!" he said with satisfaction. He
slowed the handkerchief away In his
trousers pocket, ramming 1t very tighI
with his fist. He was much relieved
when this was done, for wearing
care-free air he sauntered across the
yard and established himself on the
top rail of the corn-field fence.
The colored boy, armed with an ak,
appeared at the woodpile and began to
chop in, the desultory fashion Of his
race, pausing every few seconds 70
stare in the direction Of his white COM
patriot who met his glance with re-
serve. Whereupon Mr.. Slosson's MAZE
domestic INDUCED In certain strange
antics that were not rightly any part
Of wood-chopping. This yet furtner
repealed Hannibal.
"The disgustin' chattel!" he NUT
tered under his breath, quoting MS
Uncle Bob. with whom, in theory at
least race feeling was strong. Yancy
appeared at the door of the bar ana
called to him, and as the boy slid from
the fence and ran toward him across
the yard, the Scratch Hitler sauntered
forth to meet him.
II reckon it's all right, Newly" ne
said, "but we don't know nothing
about this here Captain Murrell-as
he calls himself-though he seems
right clever sort of gentleman; but we
won't mention Belle Plain" With this
caution he led the way into the tavern
and back through the bar to- low
ceilinged room where Murrell and
Slosson were already at table. 1t was
intolerably hot, and there fingered IN
the heavy atmosphere of the place
stale and unappetizing odors. Only
Murrell attempted conversation and he
was not encouraged; and presently
silence fell on the room except for the
rattle of dishes and the buzzing OF
flies. When they had finished, the stale
odors and the heat drove them quickly
into the bar again, where for a little
time Hannibal sat on Yancy's knee, by
the door. Presently he slipped down
and stole out into the yard.
The June night was pulsing with
life. Above him bats darted in short
circling flights. In the corn-field and
pasture-lot the fireflies lifted from
their day-long sleep, showing pale
points OF light In the alf-darkness,
while from some distant pond or stag
nant watercourse came the booming of
IN q
resonant chorus. These were the sum
mer night sounds he had known as far
back as his memory went
In the tavern the three men We're
drinking Murrell with the idea that
the more Yancy came under the IN
fluence Of Slosson's corn whiskey the
easier his speculation would be man
aged Mr.. Yancy on his part believed
that II Murrell went to bed reasonably
drunk he would sleep late and give
him the opportunity he coveted, to
quit the tavern unobseryed at break OF
day Gradually the ice Of silence which
had held them mute at supper, thaWed.
At first 1t was the broken lazy speech
Of men who were disposed to quiet,
then the talk became brisk--a steady
stream of rather dreary gossip OF
horses and lands and negroes, OF
speculations past and gone in these
great staples.
Hannibal crossed to the corn-field.
There, in the friendly gloom, he ak
amined his handkerchief and felt Of
the rolled-up bill. Then he made count
OF certain silver and copper coins
which he had in his other pocket
Satisfied that he had sustained no
loss. he again climbed to the top rail
OF the fence where he seated himself
with an elbow resting on one knee
and his chin in the palm of his hand
IT got ten dollars and seventy cents
yes, sir-and the clostest shooting
rifle ever tossed to my shoulder.
He seemed but small to have accom-
plished such a feat He meditated FOR
a little space II reckon when we
strike the settlements again should
like to buy my Uncle Bob a present
With kitted brows he considered what
this should be. canvassing Yancy's
needs. He had about decided on a ring
such as Captain Murrell was wearing
when he heard the shuffling OF bare
feet over the ground and voice spoke
out of the darkness.
Wnen 70 get 10 leSllH Ihe 3oi00P'
young boss, Mas'r Slo) son he says
show yo' to yo' chamber. It was
Slosson's boy Eph.
Did you'all happen to notice what
they're doing in the tavern now
asked Hannibal
81 low they're maxim a regular hog
KILN Of it, said Eph smartly. Hannl-
hal descended from the fence.
eyes you can show me my cham
her," he said, and his tone was severe.
What a white man did was not mat
ter for black man to criticize. ,They
went toward the open door OF the
tavern. Mr.. Slosson's corn whisky had
already wrought marked transforma-
ton in the case of Slosson himself.
His usually terse speech was becom-
ing diffuse and irrelevant. while va
cant laughter issued from his lips.
Yancy was apparently unaffected by
the good cheer of which he had par
taken, but Murrell's dark face was
flushed. The Scratch Killers ability to
carry his liquor exceeded anything he
had anticipated.
'.You-all run along to bed, Newly
said yancy as Hannibal entered the