Putnam patriot., 1912-03-01

''Yes, sir" replied Hannibal.
 What do you say to cold fish?" the judge smacked his lips to impart . relish to the idea. q 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 .I wonder if you could be in- duced to make a temporary loan Of that fifty cents? The sum involved Is really such a ridiculous tritie 1 don't need to point out to you the ab- soIute moral certainty of my return. ing 1t at an early date"
 It was not the loss of his money that Hannibal most feared, and the coin passed from his possession into his hosts custody.
 Thank you, my boy! I must step down to the tayern-when I return, please God, we shall know more Of each other" While he was still speaking, he had produced jug from behind the quilt that screened his bed, and now took himself off into the night.
 Left alone, Hannibal gravely seated himself at the table. What the judges larder lacked in variety 1t more than made up for in quantity, and the boy was grateful for this fact. Presently he heard the judges heavy. shuff1ing step as he came up the path from the road, and a moment later his gross bulk of body filled the door way. Breathing hard and perspiring, the judge entered the shanty, but his eagerness kept him silent until he had established himself in his chair beside the table, with the jug and cracked glass at his elbow. Then. bland and smiling. he turned toward his guest.
 My tenderest regards, Hannibal!" and he nodded over the rim of the cracked glass his shaking hand had carried to his lips. Twice the glass was filled and emptied, and then again, his rowing, watery eyes rested meditatively on the child. Have you . father?" he asked suddenly. Han- nfbal shook his head. "A mother?"
 They both of them done died years and years ago." answered the boy. q can't tell you how long back it was, but I reckon 1 don't know much about 1t. l must have been small child"
 "Ho-a small child!" cried the judge, laughing. He cooked his head on one side and surveyed Hannibal Wayne Hazard with a glance of com ic seriousness "In Gods name what do you call yourself now?"
 I'm most ten," said Hannibal, with dignity.
 T can well believe it." responded the judge. Where did you come from?"
 Prom across the mountains"
 And where are you goihg?'
 ITO west Tennessee.
 Have you any friends there?"
 ''Yes, sir''
 You've money enough to see you through" and what the judge intend- ed for smile of fatheriy affection became a leer of infinite cunning.
 ''I got ten dollars"
 Ten dollars" the judge smacked his lips once. Ten dollars" he re- peated, and smacked his lips twice.
 The purple flush on the judges face, where the dignity that belonged to age had gone down in wreck, deep- ened.
 He quilted his chair and. Iurching somewhat as he did so, began to pace tho floor.
 'Take mo for your example, boy! You may be poor. you may possibly bo hungry-you'n often be thirsty. hut through 1t sll you will remain that splendid thtng-a gentleman! Perhaps youIl contend that the old erder b overthrown. that family has gone D the dsvil? You are right ana theso1 tho pity of 1t! The social fabric is tottering-I can sec 1t tot 4or-. and he tottsred himself as he eoan fhis.
 sWell. Tn a old man-the spec tnelo won't long offend me. I'll die . presently." He was 70 profoundly moved by the thought that he could not 10 on. His voice broke, and he buried his face in his arms. sym pathetic moisture had gathered in the child's eyes. He slipped from his k khair and stole to the judges side. n I'm mighty sorry you're going to Adie."
 s.Bless you, Hannipal!" cried the ajudae, looking wonderfully cheerful Ado6pife his recent bitterness of spirit. AsI'm not experiencing any of the bangs { of mortality now My dissolution ain't a.a matter of tonight or tomorrow i, there's some life in Slocum Price yet, tor aIl the rough usage, eh? l think : you'd better go to bed" Il reckon I had," agreed Hannibal, dipping from his chair. g Well, take my bed back Of the spquilt- You'll find hoe there. You ssscan dig up the dirt under the snuck mick with it--which helps astonishing R4aY. What would the world say II IL .., ,,ould know that Judge Slocum Price -. akes his bed with hoe" " " Haunfbal retired behind the quilt Rs]o you find 1t comfortable! the sA sdpo asked, when the rustling or the ss lnek tick informed him that the G1n1 had lain down.
 fes, sir" said the boy.
 Have you said your prayers! in-
 Ted the judge.
 NO. sir. l ain't said 'en yet
 Well, say them now. Religion i"