The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-05-09

"Poor Little Lad!" He Muttered.
him the damndest sort Of a body beat
ing"
Sir" said the Judge, "Ill hold your
hat while you are about it,"
Hicks had taken his time in re-
spending to the judges summons, but
now his step sounded in the hall and
throwing open the door he entered
the room. Whether consciously or
not he had acquired something of that
surly, forbidd1ng manner which was
characteristic of his employer. A curt
nod Of the head was his only greet.
ing.
will you sit down." asked the
Judge. Hicks signitied by another
movement of the head that he would
not. This is very dreadful bust.
messy began the judge softly.
Amt it?". agreed Hicks. What
you got to say to me?" he added
petulantly.
Have you started to drag the
bayou" asked the judge. Hicks
nodded. THAT was your idea?" sug.
gested the Judge.
mo, it want" objected Hicks
quickly. But l said she had been
actin like she was plumb distracted
ever since Charley Norton got shot"
How? inquired the Judge, arching
his eyebrows. Hicks was plainly dis
furhod hv tho ouoctjon
Sort of out of her head. Mr.. Ware
seen it, too"
He spoke of it,"
Eyes, sir; him and me discussed it
together"
The judge regarded Hicks long and
intently and In silence. His magniti-
cent mind was at work. If Betty had
been distraught he had not observed
any sign Of it the previous day. Ii
Ware were better informed as to her
true mental state why had he chosen
this time to go to Memphis?
II suppose Mr.. Ware asked you to
keep an eye on Miss Malroy while he
was away from homer" said the judge.
Hicks, suspicious Of the drift OF his
questioning, made no answer. Il sup
pose you told the house servants to
keep her under observation" contin-
ued the Judge.
II don't talk to no niggers." replied
Hicks, except to give 'em my or
ders."
"Well, did you give them that or
der"
mo, l didn't"
The sudden and hurried entrance of
big Steve brought the judges exam
ination of Mr.. Hicks to standstill.
"Mas'r, you know dat ar coachman
2eorge-ths big black fellow dat took
you into town las evenin'? jes' been
down at Shanty Hill whar Milly, his
wife, is carryin' on something scan
dalous cause George amt never come
home!" Steve was laboring under in
tense excitement, but he ignored the
presence Of the overseer and ad'
dressed himself to Slocum Price.
well, what of that?" cried Hicks
quickly.
Thar warn't no George. mind you,
Mas'r, but dar was his team in de
stable this mo'ning and lookin' mighty
nigh done up with hard driving"
"Yes," interrupted Hicks uneasily;
put pair of lines in a nigger's
hands and he'll run any team off It's
legs!"
AN the heritage all scratched up
from bein' thrashed through the
bushes" added Steve
"There's niger for you!" said
Hicks. ''She took the rascal out OF
the field, dressed him like he was a
gentleman and pampered him up, and
now first chance he gets he runs off,
"Ah!" Said the judge softly. Then
you knew this?'
"Of course I knew-wa'nt it my
business to know? 1 reckon he was
of skylarking, and when he'd seen
the mess he'd made, the tritiing fool
took to the woods. Well, he catches
it when l lay hands on him!"
do you know when and under
what circumstances the team was
stabbed, Mr.. Hicks?" inquired the
judge.
mo, I don't, but l reckon it must
have been long after dark" said Hicks
unwillingly. Il seen to the feeding
Just after shutdown like I always do,
then l went to supper" Hicks vouch-
safed to explain.
And no one saw or heard the team
drive in?'
MOT az know off," said Hicks.
"Mas'r CaIngton's done gone OF to
get a pack of dawgs-he lows hits
might important to find what's come
of George" said Steve.
Hicks started violently at this piece
of news.
II reckon he'll have to travel q
right smart distance to find pack OF
dogs" he muttered. Il don't know OF
none this side OF Colonel Bates down
below Girard."
The Judge was lost in thought. He