Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-02-15

bliIy, smut up in the bath room and
listening to all the noises and confu-
soin, had been scared nearly out of his
senses. He had kept still as mouse
till now, when thinking he heard
friendly voices he yelled out: open
the do an unite me-"
1--WE done forgot Billy" said the
little rescuer, as he ran to the bath
room door and opened it. He was
followed by the doctor, who cut the
cords that bound the prisoner.
Nov, William" commanded DR..
Sanford, as they grouped themselves
around the stout, plump gentleman In
the chair, begin at the beginning,
and let US get at the bottom of this"
Mr.. Algernon Jones he come to the
gate" explained the little boy, IAN he
say he goin' to fix the water pipe an
he say he's a plumber. He's very
'greeable man, but / don't want Aunt
Minerva to marry him, now. l was
plump tickled at him an 1 tuck him
to the bath room an fust thing
knowed he grabbed hotter me an
shuck me like what you see cat
do a mouse, an he say"
And he'd more'n a million whis-.
kers," interrupted Jimmy, who
thought Billy was receiving too much,
attention, land he"
zone at time" said the doctor.
Proceed, William"
AN he say he'll bust MY brains out
err my head if l holler, an l amt a.
/ goin' to holler neither, an he tie me,
to a chair an tie my mouth up an
lock the do
And 1 coined over" said Jimmy,
eagerly, "and l run home and l see
Mr.. Algernon Jones is a robber an 1.
! 'phoned to Miss Minerva's beau, and if
he'd brunged what I telled him, he
wouldn't never got cracked in the face
like Mr.. Algernon Jones done crack
him, and Billy got to all time let rob-
bers in the house SO they can knock
mans and little boys down"
while you stand talking here the
scoundrel will get away" said the in
jured man.
That's So" agreed DR.. Sanford,
so I'll go and find the sheriff"
Sarah James huge form doomed up
in the back hall doorway, and she
grabbed Jimmy by the arm.
'Yaas," she cried, you gwine take
you nap is yuh, yuh 'ceitful caterpil-
lar. Come on home dis minute"
"Lemine go, Sarah Jane" protest.
ed the little boy trying to jerk away
from her, Il got to stay here and
pertec' Billy and Miss Minerals beau
cause theys a robber might come
back and tie EN- up and make 'em
bleed If l amt here"
Did Mr.. Algernon Jones make al
that blood?" asked the awe-stricker
little boy gazing in admiration at the
victim of Mr.. Jones energy. you sho
is hero to stan up an let him knocl
you down like he done"
yes" cried Jimmy as the black
woman dragged him kicking and strug
Cling through the hall, ives all he
roes, but l bet Tn the heroest hero
they is, and | bet Miss Minerals go
ing to be mad bout you all splitting al
that blood on her nice clean floor"
'Lemme see yo' big toe what was
shot off by all them Yankees and In
juns what you killed in the war;" sait
Billy to Miss Minerva's beau.
The major smiled at the little boy;
a man-to-man smile, full of good com
radeship, humor and understanding
Bnly's little heart went out to hin
at once.
II can't take off my shoes at present.
said the veteran. well, / must be go
ing; I feel all right now"
, Billy looked at him with big, sol
emn eyes.
"You couldn't never go 'thout yo
pants, could you?" he asked, "'caus,
. Aunt Minerva jest nachelly despise
pants"
The man eyed him quizzically.
well, no; l don't think l could,
!. he replied: II don't think I'd look an.
better in a Mother Hubbard or a kl
D mono"
The little boy sighed.
(which you think is the fittenes
name" asked he, BILLY or William"
: BILLY, Billy" enthusiastically cam
:. the reply.
, II like mems" said William Gree,
Hill. Il sho' wisht' you could com
and live right here with me and Aun
Minerva"
u wish SO. too" said the major.
CHAPTER XIV,