Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-18


Price; while we were waiting for the
boat a raft tied up to the bank; the
fellow aboard OF II had a man he'd
fished up out OF the river. a man
who'd been pretty we'll cut to pieces.'
who was he?" asked the Judge
Nobody knew, and he wasn't con-
scious. shouldn't be surprised II ne
never opens his lips again. When
the doctor had looked to his cuts, the
fellow On the raft cast of and went
on down the Elk"
II occurred to the Judge that he
himself had ews to impart. lie must
account for the boys presence.
while you've been taking your
whin OF life down at he steamboat
landing. Mahaffy, I've been expert
encing a most extraordinary cofnci-
dence. When ] went to the war OF
~, a Hazard accompanied me as my
orderly. His grandson is back OF mat
curtain now-asleep-in my bed!"
MahafYy put down his glass.
You were like this once before"
he said darkly. But at that instant
the shuck tick ratified noisily at some
movement Of the sleeping boy.
There was a hoof.beat on the road.
1t came neare and nearer, I'M pres
emily sounded just beyond the door.
Then 1t ceased, and a voice said:
"Hullo, there!" The Judge scram-
bled TO his feet, and taking up the
candle. staggered into the yard. Ma
hany followed him.
What's wantsd?" asked the judge
holding his candle alott. The light
showed a tall fellow mounted on a
handsome bay horse. 1t 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 a sarcastic smile. he
turned to the Judge, who spoke up
quickly.
Did he carry a bundle and rlne!
he asked. Murrell gave eager assent.
Well" said the Judge, he stopped
here along about four o'clock. ana
asked his way to the nearest RIVER
landing"
"Hannibal--" the judges voice and
manner were rather stern. "fiahnl-
bal, a man rode by here last night on
a big bay horse. lie said he was
looking for a boy about ten years OLD
a boy with a bundle and rifle.
There was an awful pause. who was
that man. Iiannibal?"
1T were Captain Murrell.' The
> Judge raised his fist and brought II
down with a great crash on the ia
BILE. we don't know any boy ten
years old with a rife and bundle!'
he said.
'Please-you won't let him take me
away. judge-I 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 vas visibly affected.
No" he roared. HE shan't haVt
you. Is he kin to you?"
| NO" said Hannibal. "He tried tt
get me away from my Uncle Bob"
] Where Is your Uncle Bob?"
He's dead" And the child begar
to WEEP bitterly. The judge ben
and lifted him into his lap.
There, my SON" he said sooth
ingly. Now you tell mt when h'
died, and all about It,"
He were killed. 1t were only yes
terday, n | can't forget him..
don't want to-but 1t hurts-it hurt!
TERRIBLE" Hannibal buried his head II
the judges shoulder and sobbe'
aloud. Presently his small : hand
stole about the judges neck. n tina
4 gentleman experienced a strange thril
OF pleasure.
Tell me how he died. Hannibal.
: ne urged gently, In a voice brokeI
by sobs, the child began the stor
OF their flight. a confused narrative
The Judge %shuddered. Can sue
things be-" he murmured at last. The
he remembered what Mahary hai
told him OF the man on the raf'
Hannibal" he said. Solomon Ma
hairy. who vas here last night, tol
me he saw down at the river lane
ing, ii man who had been fished u
out of the Elk-a man who had bee
roughly handled"
Were It my Uncle Bob?" erie
Hannibal. lifting a swollen face I
his
Dear lad, | don't Know" said tn
Judge alphabetically.
1T we're Uncle Bob! ! know
we're my Uncle Bob! | must go nm
him" and Hannibal slipped from IN
Judges lap and ran for his rifle an
] bundle.
stop a Bit" cried the Judge. NO
~ 1, was your Uncle Bob. helI cou
o.nt ba 70 abIa to ira VIC