Putnam patriot., 1912-03-29
CHAPTER XVI.
The Judoe Offers a Reward.

Inc Juo0e OHeFe q heWaru'
 The news of Charley Norton's mur- der spread quickly over the county. For two or three days bands of armed men secured the woods and roads, and then this activity quite unpro- ductive of any tangible results ceased, matters were allowed to rest with the constituted authorities, namely MT. Betts, the sheriff, and his deputies.
 No private citizen had shown greater zeal than Judge Slocum Price. One morning he found under his door a folded paper:
 You talk too much. Shut up, or you'll go where Norton went
 A few moments later he burst in on MT. Saul.
 "Glance at that, my friend!" he cried, as he tossed the paper on the clerks desk. What do you make Of it, sir?"
 Well, I'd keep still"
 The judge laughed derisively as he bowed himself out.
 He established himself in his of- flee. He had scarcely done so when Mir Betts knocked at the door. The sheriff came direct from MT. Saul and arrived out of breath, but the letter was not mentioned by the judge. He spoke of the crops, the chance or rain, and the tntricacies of county politics. The sherin withdrew mysti- fed. wondering why it was he had not felt at liberty to broach the sub ject which was uppermost in his mind.
 His place was taken by MT. Pegloe and on the heels of the tavern-keeper came MT. Bowen. Judge Price re- ceived them with condescenslon, put back of the condescension was an air of reserve that did not invite ques- tions. The judge discussed the exten- sion of the national roads with Mr. Pegloe. and the religion of the Per sian fire-worshipers with MT. Bowen' be permitted never pause and they retired as the sheriff had done with out sight of the letter. The judges office became per feet Mecca for the idle and the curl ous. and while he oyerhowea wltn high-bred courtesy he had never seemed so unapproachabie- so remote from matters of local and con temporary interest.
 Why don't you show 'em the iet- ter?" demanded Mir. Mahaffy, when they were alone. Cant you see they are suffering for sight of 1t!
 All in good time, Solomon lie became thoughtful. solomon, l am thinking of offering a reward for any information that will lead to the dis- covery of my anonymous correspond ent," he at length observed Witn q finely casual air, as if the idea nad just occurred to him, and had not been seething in his brain all day.
 There you go, Price" began Ma hany. :.
 Solomon, this is no time for me 10 hang back. I shall offer a reward or five thousand dollars for this informa- ton" The judges tone was resointe, Yes, sir, shal! make the figure com mensurate with the poignant grieI l feel. He was my friend and client
 The next morning it was discovereo that some time during the nlgnt the judge had tackled his anonymous com munication on the court house ooof' , lust below it was another sheet oi pa Der covered with bold script;
 To Whom It May Concern:
 Judge Slocum Price assumes that the above was intended for him since he found it under his office door on the morning of the twenty-ffth inst
 Judge Price begs leave to state II as his unqualified conviction tharsne Writer is a coward and eur, ana oners reward of i've thousand aof