Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-04-24

suddenness. Then he toIdec his long
arms
You asked n there was any news
Price: While we we're waiting for the
boat raft tied up TO the bank: the
fellow aboard OF il had a man ned
hshed up out OF the river, a man
who'd been pretty well cut TO pieces
Who was he?" asked the Judge
Nobody knew. and he wasn't con.
scious. | shouldn't be surprised If 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"
1t occurred 10 the Judge that he
himself had news to impair. He must
account for the boys presence.
While you've been taking your
Whit OF life down at the steamboat
landing. Mahafy. I'VE been expert
eneing most extraordinary coinci
dence. When went to the war oil
~. a Hazard accompanied me as my
orderly. His grandson is back OF that
curtain now--asleep--in my bed!'
Mahaffy put down his glass.
You were like this cnee before.
he said darkly But at that instant
the shuck tick ratified noisiiy at some
movement Of the sleeping boy.
There was hoof-beat on the road
it came nearer and nearer. and pres
emily 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?r asked the Judge
holding his candle aloft. The light
showed a tail fellow mounted on q
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. Mahafy's thin lips twisted them
selves into sarcastic smile. He
turned to the Judge, who spoke UP
quickly
Did he carry bundle and rifie?'
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
a big bay horse. He said he was
looking for a boy about ten years old
Ia boy with a bundle and rifle
There was an awful pause. Who was
that man, Hannibal?'
1T were Captain Murreli." The
judge raised his fist and brought il
down with great crash on the ia.
Bile. we don't know any boy ten
years old with rifle and bundle!'
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.
Mo-" he roared. He shaI't have
you. Is he kin to you?"
NJ SGtu ltaAiAAAOdA. 1AC tA4Cd ~
get me away from my Uncle Bob
Where is your Uncle Bob?"
He's 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. 1t were only yes
terday, and cant 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,
ne urged gently In voice broken
by sobs. the child began the story
OF their flight, 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
hairy. who was here last night, told
me he saw down at the river land