The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-05-22

my tenderest regards, Hannibal"
and he nodded over the rim Of the
cracked glass his shaking hand had
carried to his lips. Twice the glass
was filled and emptied, and then
again. his rowing, watery eyes rested
meditatively on the child. Have you
a father?" he asked suddenly. Han.
nibal shook his head. "A mother7"
They both OF them done died
years and years ago." answered the
boy. II can't tell you how long back
1t was. but 1 reckon 1 don't know
much about it i must have been Q
small child"
"Ho-a small child!" cried the
Judge. laughing. He cooked his head
on one side and surveyed Hannibal
Wayne Hazard with a glance Of com.
ic seriousness. I'm Gods name what
do you call yourself now?"
I'm most ten," said Hannibal. with
dignity.
Il can well believe it." responded
the Judge. where did you come
from?"
From across the mountains"
"And where are you goingr'
ITO west Tennessee"
Have you any friends there1"
Yes, SIR"
you've money enough to sec you
through" and what the Judge intend
ed for q smile of fatherly affection
became q leer OF infinite cunning.
II got ten dollars"
Ten dollars" the Judge smacked
his lips once. Ten dollars" he re-
peated, and smacked his lips twice.
The purple flush ON the judges
to age had gone down in wreck, deep
ened.
He quilted his chair and, Iurching
somewhat a. he did 20. began to pace
the floor.
Take me for your example, boy!
You may be poor, you may possibly
be hungry-you'Il often be thirsty.
but through 1t all you will remain
that splendid thing gentlemani
Perhaps you'll contend that the old
order is overthrow, that family has
gone to the devil? You are right. and
there's the pity OF It! The social
fabric is tottering-I can see 1t tot
ter" and he tottered himself as he
said this.
We'll, I'm an old mantle spec
tacle won't long offend me. I'll die
presently" He was SO profoundly
moved by the thought that he could
not 60 on. His voice broke, and he
buried his face in his arms. A SYM
pathetic moisture had gathered in the
child's eyes. He slipped from his
chair and stole to the judges side.
I'm mighty sorry you're going to
de-"
Bless you. Hann1pal!" cried the
Judge. looking wonderfully cheerful,
despite his recent bitterness OF spirit.
I'm not experiencing any of the pangs
Of mortality now. My dissolution amt
q matter OF tonight or tomorrow
there's some life in Slocum Price yet,
for all the rough usage. Ell? l think
you'd better go to bed"
Il reckon I had" agreed Hannibal.
slipping from his chair.
We'll. take my bed back OF the
quilt. You'll find a hoe there. You
can dig up the dirt under the shuck
lick with 1t-whlch helps astonishing
ly. What would the world say II 1t
could know that Judge Slocum Price
makes his bed with a hoe!"
Hannibal retired behind the quilt.
do you find 1t comfortable?" the
Judge asked, when the rustling OF the
shuck tick informed him that the
child had lain down.
yes sir" said the h0v
Have you said your prayers7" In
quired the Judge.
mo. sir. I amt said 'em yet"
We'll, say them now. Religion II
as becoming in the young as 1t is re-
spectable in the aged. I'll not dis
turb you tonight. for 1t is Gods will
that l should stay up and get very
trunk"