The Marshall republican., 1912-03-22

Minerva, an she turns up her nose
ut anything that wears pants.s
And where could ! hnd your Aunt
5finsrvaT the Strangers grin was In
grAtiating and agreeable.
Why, this here's Monday" the lit.
tls boy exclaimed. "Of course she's
1t The Ail; al the 'onans roun' here
eoss 70 the Ala On Monday"
your aunt 70 IN old friend Of
mine" went on the man. and I knew
she We st the Aid. I Just wanted to
md out II you'd tell the truth about
her. Some little boys tell stories, but
Z an glad to fnd out you are % truth
ful. Ny name 10 Mr.. AiGernon Jones
and I'm glad TO know you. shakei
Put II there, partner" and the fasci-
mating stranger held out q srimy paw.
Billy smiled down from his perch
ct him and thought no had never met
such q pleasant man. II he was such
an old friend Of his aunt's maybe she
would not object TO him because he
wore pants, he thought. Maybe she
might be persuaded to take Mr.. Jones
for . husband. Billy almost hoped
that she would hurry home from the
Aid, no wanted to see the two togeth.
or 90.
"Ts you much Of q cusserf" he asked
solemnly. "'cause II you IL you'll
halter cut II out on these premises"
Mr.. Jones seemed much surprised
and hurt at the question.
IAN oath never passed these lips"
NAoltoA ~. 49,. hF,.l u.vsl~waa
Can you churnf" z.
"Uhurn-churn7" with q reminis-
cent smile. Il can churn like .
top"
Jimmy was dying OF curiosity, but
the gate was too far away for him 20
do more than catch n word now and
then. II was also out OF Sarah James
visual line, so she knew nothing Of
the strangers advent.
"And you're here all by y~oursolff'
Infatuated Bnly's new friend. and
che folks next door, where arc theyf'
Mrs. Gamers at the Aid, an Mr..
Gamers gone to Memphis. That Is
they little boy a-settin' in they yard
on they grass" answered the child.
i've come TO AZ your Aunt Miner
vas water pipe" said tho truth-lovins
pr. Jones. Come, show me the way;
I'm the plumber"
"In the bath roomf" asked tho
child. Il didn't know Il needed no
KIN"
He led the agreeable plumber
through the hall. down the long back
S6rch TO the bath room. remarkns;
TIL jcs' watch you work" And be
beated himself In the only chair.
Here is where Billy received one Of
greatest surprises OF his life
Tbe fascinating stranger grabbed him
With q rough hand and Kissed:
"Don't you dare open your mouth
brill crack your head open and scat
kfr your brains. Ill eat you alive"
The fierce, bloodshot eyes. which
had seemed SO laughing and merry
BEFORE. now glared into those Of the
little boy as the man took q stout cord
from his pocket, bound Billy TO the
chair and gagged him with a larg,
bath towel. Energetic Mr.. Jones tool
The key out Of tho door. shook his fsl
ut tho child. and went out, and LOCKED
The door behind him.
Jimmy seeing no hope Of eludini
Sarah James vigilance, resorted 4
strategy and deceit.
faint no fun setting out here" b,
called TO her. so I'm going In tn
house and take a nap"
She willingly consented. as she wa
through with her ironing and though
TO snatch a few winks of sleep her
self.
The little boy slipped quietly throngl
the house. ~noiselessly across the bacl
yard and into his fathers big gar
den, which was separated from tina
OF his neighbor Ly a high board fence
He quickly climbed the fence, feS
across Miss Minerva's tomato pate
and tiptoed up her back steps TO tn
back porch, his little bare feet giyinI
no sign OF his presence. Hearing CT
rious noises coming from tho bat
room, where Billy was humping tn
chair up and down In his efforts 10 r.
lease his mouth, he made for tina
spot, promptly unlocked the door an
walked In. Duly by scufiing and tus
ging had freed his mouth from tn
towel that bound 1t at that me
ment-
"Hushl" ne whispered as Jimm
opened the door, you'll get eat u
alive II you don't look out" His ton
was so mysterious and thrilling an
he looked so scared tied to the chat
that the younger boys blood almos
froze In his veins.
'what you doing all tied up so7
he asked, In low, frightened tones.
"Mr. Algernon Jones done It.
spec he's a robber an Is jes' a-rol
BERN right now" answered Billy.
I'll unite you.' said His chum.
NAV you better not" said Bill
bravely. HE might cit away. 70
WH q~--- - 49, la.- A.. A. --s