The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-28

than this, there was his terrible sense
Of loss, and the grief he could not
master. Marking the course of the
road westward, he chung to the woods
where his movements were as stealthy
as the very shadows themselves.
r. Presently, as he stumbled forward
he came to a small clearing in the
center of which stood log dwelling.
The place seemed deserted.
Tilted back in chair by the door
OF this house a man was sleeping.
The boot of an owl from nearby
oak reused him. He yawned and
stretched himself, thrusting out his
fat legs and extending his great
arms. Then becoming aware Of that
small figure which had stolen up the
path as he slept and now stood be.
fore him in the uncertain light, he
fell to rubbing his eyes with the
knuckles of his plump hands.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
I'm Hannibal Wayne Hazard"
said the boy. The man quilted his
chair.
''Well-I am glad to know you,
Hannibal Wayne Hazard. l am Slo.
cum Price-Judge Slocum Price.
sometime major-general of militia and
ex-member of congress, to mention 9
few of those honors my fellow coun.
trymen have thrust upon me-" He
made a sweeping gesture with his two
hands outspread and bowed ponder.
ously.
The boy saw a man of sixty, whose
gross and battered visage told it's own
story. There was sparse white
frost about his ears; and his eyes.
pale blue and prominent, looked out
from under beetling brows. He wore
. shabby plum-colored coat and tight,
drab breeches. About his fat neck
was black stock, with just a sug.
gestion of soiled linen showing above
it. His figure was corpulent and I'm.
wieldy.
You don't belong in these parts.
do you?" asked the judge, when he
had completed his scrutiny.
mo, SIR" answered the boy. lie
glanced of down the road, where
lights were visible among the trees.
what town is that?"
Pleasantville-which is a He-but
I am neither sufficiently drunk nor
sufnciently sober to cope with the pos
abilities your question offers. Have
you so much as fifty cents about
y6u?" and the judges eyes narrowed
to slit above their folds Of pufry
flesh Hannibal, keeping his glance
fixed on the mans face, fell back a
step. Il can't let you 60 IL you are
penniless-I can't do that" cried the
fudge, with sudden vehemence. "You
shall be my. guest for the night.
They're pack of thieves at the tav-
ern," he lowered his voice. II know,
'em, for they've plucked mel" He
rested a fat hand on the boys
shoulder and drew him. gently but
firmly into the shanty. With flint and
steel he. made a light, and presently
. candle was suffering in his hands.
He fitted it into the neck Of q tall
OVtLIS, ouu 40 LILO AA6AI AotOu ny tA0
boy glanced about him. -. -
The interior was mean enough.
with its rough walls. dirt floor ana
black, cavernous fireplace. A shake
down bed in one corner Of the room
was tastefully screened from the pub
lie gaze by 4 tattered quilt. =
U boy. don't be afraid. Look on me
az . friend" urged the Judge. ~,
II reckon I'll be glad to STOP" an
swered Hannibal .-.
such confidence is inspiring. Are
you hungry" 5s. H. ..
.'Yes, mir" replied Hannibal. i
What do you say to cold fish!"
the Judge smacked his lips to impert
Z relish to the idea. Il dare swear
] can ind you some corn bread into
tn hargain.- Hs began to assemble
the datntiss No had enumerated.
.sHQre yop ~ =. No clsarSd III throat