Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-05-01

WneIe Was SOEOInD1 Man3Hy. 2DC
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma
hahy could fend for himself. but he
experienced a moment Of genuine
concern when he thought of the child.
Then-there was scarcely audi
bic rustic on the margin Ct the woods.
a dry branch snapped .oUdly. Next a
sUealthy step soundec in the clear
ing The jgfse had an agonized
vision Of regulators and lynehers
The cautious steps continued 10 Up
proach whisper stole into the
jail.
Are you awake. PRICE," It was Ma
hairy who spoke.
God bless you. Solomon Maha1y."
cried the Judge unsteadily.
I've got the boy-hes with me.
said MahaTy.
God bless you both" repeated the
Judge brosenly Take care OF him.
Solomon feel better now. knowing
he's in good hands.
please. Judge" it was hannibal
YES. dear iad?"
I'm mighty sorry that ten dollars
loaned you was bad-but you don't
need ever TO pay it back. II were
Captain Murrell gave 1t to me-"
4 consecrate myself TO his destruc-
ton, Judge Slocum Price cannot be
Inundated with impunity!"
Il should think you would save
your wind. Price, until you'd wad-
died out OF danger!" Mahafy spoke
gruaiy
How are you going TO get me out
OF this, Solomon-for | suppose you
are here to break jail for me-" said
the judge.
Well. Price. l guess all we can DO
is to go back to town and see ii
can get into my cabin-Iye got an
old saw there. If can find it, | can
come again tomorrow night and cut
away one OF the legs, or the cleats OF
the door"
In heavens name. do that tonight.
Solomon implored the judge. why
procrastinate?"
Price, there's pack of dogs in
this neighborhood. and we must have
a full night to move in, or they'll pull
us down before we've gone ten
miles!"
You're right. Solomon; I'd forgot
ten the dogs"
Mahaffy closed and fastened the
shutters, then be and Hannibal stole
across the clearing and entered the
woods. The judge went to bed lie
was aroused by the arrival of his
breakfast, which the sheriff brought
about eight o'clock
Well, if | was in your boots /
couldn't sleep like you!" remarked
that official admiringly. But reckon.
sir this amt the first time the peni-
Tertiary has stared you in the face
1t was nearing the noon hour when
the judges solitude was again in
vaded. He first heard the distant muir
muir Of voices on the road and passed
an uneasy and restless ten minutes.
with his eye to crack In the door.
He was soothed and treasured. how
ever, when at last he caught sight or
the sheriff.
We'll, judge. | got company for
you" cried the sheriff cheerfully. as
he threw open the door. "A boss
theft"
lie pushed into the building a man,
hatless and coatless. with a pair u
pale villainous eyes and tobacco
stained chin.
AS the long afternoon wore itself
away. the Judge lived through the
many stages OF doubt and uncertain
ty. for suppose anything had hap
pened to Mahaffy!
Standing before the window, the
Judge watched the last vestige OF light
fade from the sky and the stars APP
pear Would Mahafry come? The
suspense was intolerable. Suddenly
out Of Nthe silence sounded a long
drawn whistle. Three times it was
repeated The horse-thief leaped to
his feet
"Neighbor. that means me-" he
cried.
The moon was rising now, and by
its light the judge saw a number OF
horsemen appear on the edge of the
woods. They entered the clearing,
picking their way among the stumps
without haste or confusion. When
quite close. five of the band dis
mounted; the rest continued on about
the jail or cantered of toward the
road.
Look out inside, therei" cried
voice, and a log was dashed against
the door; once-twice-it rose and
fell on the clapboards, and under
those mighty thuds grew up wide
gap through which the moonlight
streamed splendidly. The horse-thier
stepped between the dangling cIeats
aud vanished.
The Judge tossed away the stool.
He understood now. With a conf
dent, not to say jaunty step, the Judge
emerged from the Jail.
Your servant. gentlemen" me
said. lifting his hat.
'Git!" said one of the men brief
ly, and the judge moved nimbly away
toward the woods.
Now to find Solomon and the boy.
and then to put the miles between
himself and Pleasantville with all
diligence AS he thought this. almos
at his elbow Mahany and Hannibal
rose from behind fallen log. The
Yankee motioned for silence ane
| pointed west
CTo BE CoNTTNUED0
Kindly Scribe.
THE editor OF the Weekly Plain
I Dealer is charitable sort Of Teller"