The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-04-26

boat a raft tied up to the bank: the
fellow aboard OF 1t had a man he'd
ished up out OF the river. man
who'd been pretty well cut to pieces.
Who was he?" asked the Judge
Nobody knew, and he wasn't con-
sciouS. | shouldn't be surprised if he
never opens his lips again When
the doctor had locked TO his cuts, the
fellow on the raft cast off and went
on down the Elk"
1t occurred to the judge that he
himself had news to imparE. He must
account for the boys presence
While you've been taking fyour
Whit OF life down at the steamboat
landing, Mahafy. I've been expert
encing most extraordinary coinci-
dence. When | went to the war OF
u. Hazard accompanied me as my
orderly. His grandson is back of that
curtain now-asleep-in my bed."
Mahaffy put down his glass
You were like this once before"
he said darkiy. But at that instant
the shuck tick ratified noisily at some
movement of the sleeping boy.
There was hoof-beat on the road.
1t came nearer and nearer. and pres
emily sounded just beyond the door.
Then it ceased. and voice said:
."Hullo. there!" The judge scram-
bled to his feet, and taking up the
candle. staggered into the yard. Ma
hafy followed him.
What's 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
boy go 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 a bundle and rttie?"
he asked. Murreu gave eager assent.
Well" said the judge, he 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. "Hannt-
bal, man rode by here last night on
big bay horse He said he was
looking for boy about ten years old
"a boy with a 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 great crash on the ia
bic. I'VE don't know any boy ten
years old with a rifle and bundled"
he said
"Please-you won't let him take me
away. judge want to stop with
you'll" 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 be 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" be said sooth-
ingly Now you tell me when he
died, and all about It,"
He were killed. 1t were only yes
terday, and | 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, confused narrative.
The judge shuddered. 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
baffy, who was here last night. told
me he saw down at the river land
ing, man who had been f1shed 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, don't know" said the
Judge sympathetically.
1T were Uncle Bobi | know 1t
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. Now,
if it 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."
1t was Saturday, and in Pleasant
Vile a jail-raising was in progress.
During all the years of its corporate
dignity the village had never boasted
any building where the eVil-doer could
be placed under restraint; hence had
arisen it's peculiar habit of dealing
with crime: but a leading citizen had
donated half an acre of ground lying
midway between the town and the
river landing as site for the pro-
posed structure, and the scattered
population of the region had assem-
bled for the raising.
CTO BE CONTINUED)
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