The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-03-28

truth.
There was hoof-beat on the road.
1t came nearer and nearer, and pres
emily sounded just beyond the door.
Then 1t 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.
Whats wanted?" asked the Judge
holding his candle aloft. The light
showed a tall fellow mounted on a
handsome bay horse. 1t was Murrell.
Have either of you gentlemen seen
a boy 60 through here today?" Muir
rell glanced from one to the other.
Mr.. Mahaffy's thin lips twisted them
selves into sarcastic smile. He
, turned to the judge, who spoke up
quickly.
did he carry bundle and r1t1e?"
he asked. Murrell gave eager assent.
well" said the judge, The 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 boy about ten years old
"a boy with bundle and rifle"
There was an awful pause. who was
that man, Hannibal?"
1T were Captain Murrell." The
Judge raised his fist and brought it
down with a great crash on the ia
BILE. I'VE don't know any boy ten
years old with rifle and bundle!"
he said
''Please-you won't let him take me
away, judge-I 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 shan't have
you. Is he kin to you?"
NO." said Hannibal. HE tried to
get me away from my Uncle Bob"
Where is your Uncle Bob?"
Hes 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. It were only yes
terday, and I can't 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 a strange thrill
of pleasure.
Tell me how he died, Hannibal
he urged gently. In voice broken
by sobs, the child began the story
of their flight, a confused narrative.
The judge shYddered. 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
haffy, who was here last night, told
me he saw down at the river land
ing, man who had been tished up
out of the Eliza man who had been
roughly handled"
Were it my Uncle Bob?" cried
Hannibal, lifting swollen face to
his.
Dear lad, I don't know" said the
judge alphabetically.
1T were Uncle Bob! + know it
were my Uncle Bob! l must go find
him!" and Hannibal slipped from the
judges lap and ran for his rifle and
bundle.
stop bit!" cried the judge. Nov,
If 1t was your Uncle Bob, he'll come
back the moment he is able to travel.
Meantime, you must remain under my
protection while we investigate this
man Slosson."
It was Saturday, and In Pleasant
vile jail-raising was in progress.
During all the years of its corporate
dignity the village had never boosted
any building where the evil-doer could
be placed under restraint; hence had
with crime; but leading citizen had
donated half an acre Of ground lying
midway between tho town and the
river landing as a site for the pro-
posed structure, and the scattered
population of the region had assem-
bled for the raising.
1--WE don't want to get there toe
early" explained the judge as they
quilted the cabin. I'VE want to miss
the work, but be on hand for the
celebration
Il suppose we may confidently look
to you to favor us with a few elo-
quent words?" said Mr. Mahatfy.
"And why not, Solomon" asked
the judge.
The opportunity he craved was not
denied him. The crowd was like
most southwestern crowds OF the Pc
riod, and no sooner did the judge ap-
pear than there were clamorous de-
mands for a speech. He cast a
o1opco If triunDh Of MohofFv and