Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-21

Yancy?" Balaam demanded with the
lungs Of a stentor, sheltering himself
behind the thick, bole OF sweetgum,
for he observed that Yancy held his
rife In the crook OF his arm and had
no wish to offer his person as tar
get to the deadly aim Of the Scratch
Hitler who was famous for his skill.
Ct II reckon you can, Charley BALKAN,
IL you are friendly said Yancy.
I'm family man, Bob. and ! ask
you candid. do you feel peevish?"
"Not in particular" and Yancy put
aside his rifle.
"Im a-going to trust you, Bob" said
Balaam. And forsaking the shelter OF
the sweetgrm he shuffled up the slope.
How are you, Charley?' asked
Yancy, as they shook hands.
"Only just tolerable. Bob. You've
been warranted--Dav Blount swore
hit on to YOU" He displayed a sheet
OF paper covered with much writing
and decorated with a large seal.
Yancy viewed this formidable docu-
ment with respect, but did not offer
to take 1t.
Read IT, he said mildly. Balaam
scratched his head.
II don't know that hits my duty to
do that, Bob. Hits my duty to serve
it on to you. But can tell you what's
into hit, leavin' out the laW-which
don't matter nohow."
At this juncture Uncle Sammy's
bent form emerged from the path that
led of through the woods in the direc-
ton of the Bellamy CABIN. With the
patriarch was stranger. Now the
presence of stranger on Scratch Hill
was an occurrence Of such extraordin-
airy rarity that the warrant instantly
became matter of secondary import
ance.
"Howdy. Charley. Here, Bob Yancy
you shake hands with Bruce CARING
ton" commanded Uncle Sammy. At
the name both Yancy and BALKAN
manifested quicktned interest. They
saw man in the early twenties,
clean-limbed and broad-shouldered,
with handsome face and shapely
head Eyes, sir, hits grandson Of
Tom Darlington that used to own the
grist-mill down at the Forks. Yo're
some sort of wild hog kin to him, Bob
yo' mother was cousin to old Tom
Her family was powerful upset at her
marrying a Yancy. They say Tom
cussed himself into 'pleptic fit when
the news was fetched him"
where you located at, Mr.. Caring.
ton? asked Yancy. But Darlington
was not given chance to reply.
Uncle Sammy saved him the trouble.
Back in Kentucky. He tells me
he's been follerin' the water. What's
the name OF that place where Andy
Jackson fit the British"
New Orleans" prompted CARING
ton good naturally. d
That's hit-he takes RATS down the
river to New Orleans, then he comes
back on ships to Baltimore. or else
he hoofs it moth overland. Uncle
Sammy had acquired general know.
ledge Of the strangers habits and pur-
suits in an incredibly brief space OF
time. she wants to visit the Forks,
he added.
"I'm shortly goin' that way myself
Mr.. Darlington, and I'll be pleased Of
your company-but FIRST 1 got to gel
through with Bob Yancy," said BALKAN
and again he produced the warrant
I, "If agreeable to you, Bob, I'll ask
Uncle Sammy, as third party friend
| ~ to both, to read this here warrant,
he said.
who's been a-warrantin' Bob
Yancy 2" cried Uncle Sammy, with
shrill interest.
Dave Blount has"
II knowed hit knowed he'd try to
get event. And Uncle Sammy struck
his walking stick sharply on the pack.
ed earth of Yancy's door yard. Whats
the charge agin you, Bob?'
RED hit, said Balaam. "Why,
sho'-can't you read plain writin'
Uncle Sammy?' for the patriarch was
showing signs of embarra ssment.
(To Be Continued)