The Lamar register., 1912-05-15

Oh iOsb, ana the Brl01 ne COul0 MOI
master. Marking the course Of the
road westward. he chung to the woods,
where his movements were as stealthy
as the very shadows themselves.
Presently, as he stumbled forward.
he came to q small clearing In the
center Of which stood q log dwelling.
The place seemed deserted.
Tilted back in q chair BY the door
OF this house q man was sleeping.
The boot OF an owl from . nearby
oak reused him. He yawned and
fat legs and extending his great
arms. Then becoming aware OF that
small figure which had stolen up the
path as he slept and now stood be
fore him in the uncertain light. he
fell to rubbing his eyes with the
knuckles OF his plump hands.
who are youf" he demanded.
I'm Hannibal Wayne Hazard
said the boy. The man quilted his
chair.
"Well-I am glad to know you
hannibal Wayne Hazard. l am Slo
I'M Price-Judge Slocum Price
ex-member OF congress. to mention
few Of those hoaors my fellow coun
trymen have thrust upon me-" He
made a sweeptAQ gesture with his two
hands outspreaA and bowed ponder
Ously.
The boy saW . man of sixty. whose
gross and battssod visage told its own
story. There VaS . sparse white
frost about his ears; and his eyes
pale blue and pFominent. looked out
from under bssti1ng brows. He wore
a shabby plum-oolored coat and tight,
drab breeches. About his fat neck
was black stock, with Just sug.
gestiOn Of soilsd linen showing above
it, His figure vas oorpulent and un.
wieldy.
You don't belong in these parts.
do your" asked the Judge. when he
had completed his scrutiny.
mo. sir" answered the boy. He
glanced OF down the road. where
lights were vialble among the trees.
What town = tha&f"
"Pleasantvillo@whic is a lie-but
am neither 01@oisntly drunk nor
sufficiently sober TO cope with the pos.
sibilities your 0nsstion Offers. Have
you SO much - nifty cents about
your" and the 3ndgs's eyes narrowed
to a slit above their folds OF puny
flesh. Hannibal keeping his glance
fixed on the na0Ab face, fell back q
step. II can't ~ you go II you are
penniless-l oaaH DO that!" cried the
Judge. with suA1aa vshemence. You
shall be my Ousst for the night.
They're . pack a thieves at the tav-
ern." he lowsse1 his voice II know
'em. for thsy-Vo plucked mel" He
rested . fat hand on the boys
shoulder and lFsw him gently but
firmly into the aAAnty. With mint and
steel he made . hight. and presently
candle was sDu94ering in his hands.
He fitted II into the neck Of a tall
bottle. and ~ - light Jared up the
boy glanced about him
The interior Vas mean enough,
with its rough walls. dirt floor and
black. cavernous fireplace. A shake
down bed In one corner OF the room
was tastefully screened from the pub
lie gaze by q tattered quilt
~'oys uoA W oAAoA0. LAWN vi AAC
as a friend" urged the Judge.
y reckon I'll b. glad to STOP" an
swered Hannibal.
Such confidence IL inspiring. Are
you hungry"
Yes. sir" replied Hannibal.
What do you say to cold fish?"
the Judge smacked his lips to impart
a relish to the idea II dare swear
can find you some corn bread into
the bargain" He began to assemble
the dainties he had enumerated
Here you are!" he cleared his throat
impressively. while benignity shone
from every feature OF his face. "A
moment since you allowed me to think
you were solvent to the extent OF
fifty cents" Hannibal looked pug
zled. Il wonder II you could be in.
duced to make . temporary loan OF
that fifty centsf The sum involved
is really such q ridiculous trifie !
don't need to point out TO you the alb
solute moral certainty Of my return
ing 1t at an early date"
1t was not the loss OF his money
that Hannibal most feared. and the
coin passed from his posse sion into
his hosts custody.
Thank you. my boy! I must ster
down to the tavern-when I return
please God Wa ahall knOw mora nj