Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-08
9yWUCHAnkEsTER



part, at least, the judge spoke the
truth.
There mas 8 scc.he.. on the road
It came nearer ana nearer, and pres.
entity sounded just beyond the door.
Then It ceased, and voice said:
"Hullo, there!" The judge scram-
bled to his feet, and taking up the
candle. staggered into the yard. Ma.
haffy followed him.
What's wanted?" asked the Judge
holding his candle aloft. The light
showed tall fellow mounted on
handsome bay horse. It was Murrell.
Have either Of you gentlemen seen
a boy go through here today?" Muir
rell glanced from one to the other.
Mr.. Mahaffy's thin lips twisted them
selves into sarcastic smile. He
turned to the judge, who spoke up
quickly.
did he carry q bundle and ri1e?"
he asked. Murrell gave eager assent.
WELL" said the judge, he stopped
here along about four O'Clock, and
asked his way to the nearest river
landing"
. .
"Hannibal-" the judges voice and
manner were rather stern. "Hanni-
bal, man rode by here last night on
big bay horse. He said he was
looking for 4 boy about ton years old
"a boy with a bundle and rife.
There was an awful pause. who was
that man, Hannibal?"
1T were Captain Murrell." The
Judge raised his fist and brought 1t
down with a great crash on tho Ia
BILE. I'VE, don't know any boy ten
years old with q rifle and bundled"
he said.
"Please-you won't let him take me
away. JUDGE want to stop with
you!" cried Hannibal. He slipped
from his chair, and passing about the
table, seized the Judge by the hand.
The Judge was visibly affected.
moi" he roared. HE shan't have
you. Is he kin to you?"
NO." said Hannibal. HE tried to
get me away from my Uncle Bob"
Where is your Uncle Bob?"
Hes dead" And the child began
to weep bitterly. The Judge bent
and lifted him into his lap.
There. my son" he said sooth.
ingly. Now you tell me when he
died, and all about it."
HE were killed. It were only yes
terday, and l can't forget him. !
don't want to-but it hurts-it hurts
terrible!" Hannibal buried his head in
the judges shoulder and sobbed
aloud. Presently his small hands
stole about the judges neck, and that
gentleman experienced . strange thrill
of pleasure.
"Tell me how he died, Hannibal
he urged gently. In voice broken
BY sobs. the child began the story
of their fight, confused narrative.
The Judge shuddered. Can such
things be-" he murmured at last. Then
he remembered what Mahaffy had
told him of the man on the raft.
Hannibal" he said. Solomon Ma.
hSffy. who was here last night, told
me he saw down at the river land
ing, q man who had been tished up
out OF the Eliza man who had been
roughly handled"
Were it my Uncle Bob?" cried
Hannibal, lifting swollen face to
his.
Dear lad, I don't know" said the
Judge sympathetically.
1T were Uncle Bob! know 1t
were my Uncle Bob! must go find
him!" and Hannibal slipped from the
Judges lap and ran for his rifle and
bundle.
stop a bit!" cried the judge. Nov.
If it was your Uncle Bob, he'll come
back the moment he, Is able to travel.
Meantime, you MIST remain under my
protection while we investigate this
man Slosson.'
1t was Saturday, and in Pleasant
vile a jail-ra1sing was in progress.
During all the years of its corporate
dignity the village had never boasted
any building where the evil-doer could
be placed under restraint; hence had
arisen It's peculiar habit Of dealing
with crime; but leading citizen had
donated half an acre of ground lying
midway between the town and the
river landing as site for the pro-
posed structure, and the scattered
population Of the region had assem-
bled for the raising.
I'VE don't want to get there too
early" explained the Judge. as they
quilted the cabin. I'VE want to miss
the work. but be on hand for the
celebration
Il suppose we may confidently look
to you to favor US With few elo-
quent words?" said Mr.. Mahany.
"And why not, Solomon" asked
the Judge.
The opportunity he craved was not
denied him. The crowd was like
most southwestern crowds Of tho Pc
Rod, and no sooner did the Judge ap-
pear than there were clamorous de-
mands &c: |: speech. : ii.s cas-:
glance Of triumph at Mahany. and
nimbly mounted . convenient stump.
He extolled the climate Of middle
Tennessee. the unsurpassed fertility
Of the soil; he touched on the future
that awaited Pleasantville: he apos-
trophized the jail; M
Presently the crowd dTiftsd away
in the direction OF the tavern. Han
nibal meantime had gone down to the
river. He haunted It's banks ~
though he expected TO SEQ his Uncle