Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-01-18

'ui HSu SIOuhu III tlnS 10 Illustrate his
plans.
You git right back, Jimmy" she
yelled, you git erway f'om dat-ar
fence an quit confabbin' wild dat-ar
Willyum. Fixin' to make some mo-
lnjuns out O. yo-selfs, amt yeh, or
some yuther kin O. skeercrows?"
Billy strolled to the other side of
the big yard and climbed up and got
on the tall gate post A stranger,
coming from the opposite direction,
stopped and spoke TO him.
Does Mr.. John Smith live here?"
he asked.
Nav, sir" was the reply; don't no
Mr.. tall live here; jest me an Aunt
Minerva, an she turns up her nose
at anything that wears pants"
And where could find your Aunt
Minerva?" the strangers grin was in
gratiating and agreeable.
Why, this here's Monday" the lit
tie boy exclaimed. "Of course she's
at the Aid; all the 'omans roun' here
goes to the Aid on Monday"
Your aunt is an old friend Of
mine" went on the man, 'and l knew
she was at the Aid. just wanted to
find out If you'd tell the truth about
her. Some little boys tell stories. but
l am glad to find out you are so truth
full. My name is Mr. Algernon Jones
and I'm glad to know you. Shake!
Put IT there, partner" and the fascI-
mating stranger held out a grimy paw.
Billy smiled down from his perch
at him and thought he had never met
such a pleasant man. II he was such
an old friend of mis- 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 a husband. Billy almost hoped
that she would hurry home from the
Aid, he wanted to see the two togeth-
er so.
rs you much of a cusser?" he asked
solemnly, cause if you is you'll
halter cut it out on these premises"
Mr.. Jones seemed much surprised
and hurt at the question.
AN oath never passed these lips.n
replied the truthful gentleman.
Can you churn?"
"Churn-churn?" with a reuinis-
cent smile. II can churn like a
top"
Jimmy was dying Of curiosity. but
the gate was too far away for him to
do more than catch a word now and
then. 1t was also out of Sarah James
visual line, so she knew nothing of
the strangers advent.
and you're here all by yourself?"
lnsinuated Billy's new friend And
the folks next door. where are they?"
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 fix your Aunt Miner
vas water pipe" said the truth-loving
Mr.. Jones. Come, show me the way;
I'm the plumber"
I'm the bath room?" asked the
child. Il didn't know it needed no
fxin'."
He led the agreeable plumber
through the hall, down the long back
porch TO the bath room, remarking:
TN jes' watch you work" And he
seated himself in the only chair.
Here is where Billy received one of
greatest surprises of his life.
The fascinating stranger grabbed him
with rough hand and Kissed:
Don't you dare open your mouth
Or I'll crack your head open and scat
ter your brains. I'll 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 a stout cord
from his pocket, bound Billy to the
chair and gagged him with a large
bath towel. Energetic Mr.. Jones took
the key out of the door, shook his fist
at the child, and went out, and locked
the door behind him.
Jimmy seeing no hope Of eluding
Sarah James vigilance, resorted to
strategy and deceit.
"'Tain't no fun setting out here" he
called TO her, so Pm going in the
house and take a nap"
ITO Rn ,AoNTINIfEn