Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-04-25
CHAPTER vII-(contlnued).

Cf1AF EN- Nll-NNOHtlHuSuJ'
boy, don't be afraid Look on me
as a friend" urged the Judge.
II reckon I'll be glad to STOP" an
swered Hannibal.
Such confidence is inspiring. Are
you hungry"
YES, SIR" replied Hannibal.
What do you say to cold fish,"
the Judge smacked his lips to impart
a relish to the idea. Il dare swear
/ can find you some corn bread into
the bargain" He began to assemble
the dainties he had enumerated.
Here you are!" he cleared his throat
impressively, while benignity shone
from every feature of his face. "A
moment since you allowed me to think
you were solvent to the extent OF
fifty cents" Hannibal looked puz'
zled. II wonder II you could be In
duced to make a temporary loan OF
that fifty cents? The sum involved
is really such a ridiculous tritle |
don't need to point out to you the abb
solutG moral certainty OF my return
ing 1t at an early date"
1t was not the loss of his money
that Hannibal most feared, and the
coin passed from his possession into
his hosts custody.
Thank you, my boy! must step
down to the tavern-when | return,
please God, we shall know more OF
each other" While he was still
speaking, he had produced jug from
behind the quilt that screened his
bed, and now took himself off into the
night.
Left alone, Hannibal gravely seated
himself at the table. What the
judges larder lacked in variety it
more than made up for in quantity,
and the boy was grateful for this fact
Presently he heard the judges heavy,
shutting step as he came up the path
from the road, and a moment later
his gross bulk of body filled the door
way. Breathing hard and perspiring,
the Judge entered the shanty, but his
eagerness kept him silent until he
beside the table, with the jug and a
cracked glass at his elbow. Then
bland and smiling, he turned toward
his guest
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 mother"
They both OF them done died
years and years ago." answered the
boy. 81 can't tell you how long back
1t was, but | reckon | don't know
much about 1t. | must have been a
small child"
"Ho-a small child" cried the
Judge, laughing. He cooked his head
on one side and surveyed Hannibal
Wayne Hazard with glance OF COM
&c seriousness. In Gods name what
dc you call yourself now?"
Pm 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 goingT
ITO west Tennessee"
Have you any friends there?"
Yes, sir"
you've money enough to see you
through" and what the judge intend
ed for smile Of fatherly affection
became leer OF infinite cunning.
81 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
face, where the dignity that belonged
to age had gone down in wreck, deep
ened.
He quilted his chair and, lurching
somewhat as he did 80, began to pace
the floor.
Take me for your example, boy!
You may be poor, you may possibly
be hungry-you'll often be thirsty,
but through 1t all you will remain
that splendid thing-a gentleman!