The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-01-12

I'VE think - we're sure that he
wouldn't do one Of the things he'd
have to hang for" was Gabrieus ear
nest assurance.
"Of course he wouidnty' Mrs. Olan.
cy lifted her tear stained face and
turned drenched blue eyes upon him.
Gabriel was relieved. To see the
spunky little widow giving way to
grief was so foreign to her disposition
that he was alarmed.
"Mebbe you'd like to wait here while
we go and investigate" he suggested.
but the widow was firm in her deter
mination to be on the spot.
"You amt used to such scenes,
ma'am, protested Crane mildly. for
they had paused to discuss the Ques-
tion.
IL may as we'll get used to tiff it
Kills me-" declared Mrs. Clancy. and
then. fixing glowing eyes upon each in
turn. she said earnestly: II want you
to understand I appreciate you've been
| good friends to me ever since 1 came
| from the east, and i know you've al
ways been good friends to Harry, but if
I'm convinced that his being up there is
your fault-why, why, the whole seven
of You will hang for 1t if I have to do
It myselfr' The widow looked per-
fectly capable of engineering any num-
ber Of lynchings at that moment.
Absurd as was the situation from one
point Of view. there was the tragedy
In the background, and it was a grave
~ preoccupled party that swung
around the last hill as the sun dropped
it's lower rim below the horizon.
A yellow shaft of sunlight struck
the cottonwoods, and from the tallest
one something dangled from stout
upper limb.
Don't you look, ma'am-wait> till we
! come back" commanded Gabriel with
sudden authority. and he pressed a
flask into her hand.
The brave hearted little widow sud
| denly lost courage and bowed her
head once more on the neck of her
pony.
When the seven pounded to q stand
still under the cottonwood tree they
slipped from their saddles and hesitat-
ed. Harry Barry's roam horse whin-
MED sharply. and then. apparently
from the air above them, came a fam
| iliar voice, peevlsh. as IL from long
| waiting.
"Don't stand staring like idiots! I'm
| plumb tired out hanging up herew it
said.
The seven turned awed looks upon
one another, and as by one accord the
youngest and strongest, the two Lew
ises. Jim and Tim. sprang toward the
tree and fairly spurred their way up
| into the lower branches, from which
they mounted higher. Then there came
the sound of several voices raised In
| inquiry, explanation and direction.
After awhile three men came down
the tree instead Of the two who had
climbed up. The third man was Harry
Barry. and the others were helping
him. for his limbs seemed stin and
his face was quite pale. He smiled
as eheerily as ever as they gathered
around him.
| Another one on me-" he grianeti
sheepishly when they had administer
ed restoratives to him II was coming
back from dosing the sick critter,
when I took a notion to climb that
there tree and look around the land
and sec If there was anybody I know
| sashayfng around-laugh II you
wnnterr he said as q, knowing smile
went the round Of tho group
"I went up In the tree. and looked.
and I thought saw way OF an old
friend Of mine Che showed all his
white teeth). "and 80 was in hurry
to get down, and my heel caught in q
crooked little branch, and fell ker-
plunk till 4 handy little stump Of
broken limb caught hold Of my belt,
and there hung as fine as silk. That
was all beautiful and nice. only, gents.
| It was so that there was a sharp
little prongy branch sticking out. Of
the tree right behind my shoulders,
out ketching it like a knife. SO there I
hung till I went to sleep a while back.
When I woke up I was all numb and
cold from hanging there I'm feeling
better now, thanks. Next thing
! knew I heard you fellers coming and
seen you out the corner OF my eye"
They examined the small ragged tear
in Harry's shirt between his shoulder
blades, and they saw that the flesh
was red and bruised from the tortur-
| ing branch that had pierced it.
| "You kAd narrer escape" said
Gabriel soberly.
| II guess you won't get to breaking
| no laws now" j0ked Hem Wayland.
you've somehow got taste of what
a necktie party feels like when you're
the guest of honor" .4,u..r.
/ Crane had ridden ahead 10 break the
good news to Mrs. Clancy. and Gabriel
suddenly vaulted into his saddle and
wheeled about I'VE chaps bsttas bs
making for the Lone Bull. Lees keep
ing your supper hot for yon. Harry .
"And there's a lady waiting around
the corner for you." added Jim Lewis