The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-13

4 an HDL no Clulute mat ulLGA
to wear, nor no pennies to give. but
the judge, he lows that as soon as he
can make a raise got TO go. and he's
learning me my letters-but we amt
a book. Miss Betty, I reckon IT'D
stump you some TO guess how he's
fixed II for me 10 Learnt"
He's drawn the letters for you, is
that the way7" In spite Of herself,
Betty was experiencing a certain re-
vulsion Of feeling where the judge and
Mahaffy were concerned. They were
doubtless bad enough, but they could
have been worse.
NO, ma'am; he done soaked the
label on one Of Mr.. Pegloe's whisky
bottles and pasted it on the wall Just
as high as my chin, SOS I can see it
good, and he's learning me that-a-
wayi Maybe you've seen the kind OF
bottle I mean-Pegloe's Mississippi
Pilot; Pure Corn Whisky" But Han
nIbaIs bright little face fell. He was
quick to see that the educational sys-
TEN devised by the Judge did not i'm
press Betty at all favorably. She drew
him into her arms.
You shall have my books-the
books I learned to read out of when
was a little girl. Hannibal"
i like learning from the label pref
ty WELL" said Hannibal Loyalty.
But you'll like the books better,
dear, when you see them. know just
where they are, for I happened on
them on a shelf in the library only
the other day"
After they had found and examined
the books and Hannibal had gruding-
ly admitted that they might possess
certain points Of advantage over the
label, he and Betty went out for a
walk. Il was now late afternoon and
the sun was sinking behind the wall
of the forest that rose along the Ar
kansas coast. Their steps had LED
them to the terrace-where they
stood looking OF into the west 1t
was here that Betty had said good-by
to Bruce CarringtOn-it might have
been months ago, and it was only
days. She thought of Charley
Charley, with his youth and hope and
high courage-unwittingly enough she
had led him on to his DEATH A sob
rose in her throat.
Hannibal looked up into her face
The memory of his own loss was
never very long absent from his
mind, and Miss Betty had been the
victim of a similarly sinister tragedy
He recalled those first awful days OF
loneliness through which he had lived
when there was no Uncle Bob-soft
voiced, smiling and infinitely com
panionable.
Why, Hannibal, you are crying
what about, dear?" asked Betty sud
denly.
NO, ma'am; I amt crying" sale
Hannibal stoutly, but his wet lashe,
gave the lie to his words.
Are you hOmesick-do you wish tc
go back to the judge and Mr.. Ma
haffy?"
NO, ma'am-it amt that was
Just thinking"
Thinking about what, dear?"
About my Uncle Bob" The small
face was very wistful.
"Oh-and you still miss him sc
much, Hannibal?"
L bet I do reckon anybody who
knew Uncle Bob would never get over
missing him; they just couldn't, Miss
Betty! The judge is mighty kind,
and so is Mr.. Mahaffy-they're awful
kind, Miss Betty, and it seems like
they get kinder all the time-but
with Uncle Bob, when he liked you,
he Just laid himself out 70 let you
know it,"
That does make a great differ
ence, doesn't it?" agreed Betty sadly,
and two piteous fearful eyes were
bent upon him.
Don't you reckon II Uncle Bob is
alive, like the Judge says, and he's
ever going to find me, he had ought
TO be here by now?" continued Han
nibal anxiously.
But It hasn't been such a great
while, Hannibal; it's only that so
much has happened to you. II he
was very badly hurt II may have been
weeks before he could travel; and
then when he could, perhaps he went
back to that tavern to try to learn
what had become Of you. But We
may be quite certain he Will never
abandon his search until he has made
every possible effort to find you,
deari That means he viii sooner or
later come to west Tennessee, for
there will always be the hope that
you have found your way here"
Sometimes get mighty tired wait
ing, Miss Betty" confessed the boy.
Seems Ike I Just couldn't wait no
longer" He sighed gently, and then
his face cleared. You reckon he'll
come most any time, don't you, Miss
Betty?"
Yes, Hannibal; any day or hour!"
"Whoopi" muttered Hannibal soft
ly under his breath. Presently he
asked: Where does that branch take
you to-" He nodded toward the
bayou at the foot OF the terraced blum.
1T empties into the river" an
swered Betty.
Hannibal saw a small skiff beached
among the cottonwoods that grew
along the waters edge and his eyes
lighted up instantly. He had Juvenile
passion for boats.
Why, you got a boat. amt you,
Miss Betty" This was a charming
and an important discovery.
Would you like to go down to itg'