The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-12-31

Sinner
DIN HARDING was not

~I had small belief In
UCMA signs. presentiments or
- lunches. but just now
all this was different For he had
seen certain sigma that one Of bis
shoats had been stolen: had u pre-
sentiment that q certain unworthy
known az -Shiftlsss joe had done the
foul deed. and possessed bunch that
he was about 10 horsewhip Joe until
he outsQusaled any pig critter thai
was ever lifted over q fence on q
moonless night So. being a man Of
deeds a. we'll a. thoughts. he took
down bis trusty bull whip and started
swampward towards the abode Of his
victim to bal
Now shiftless Joe was not reckoned
among the 400 Of John Hardings coin.
munity. and when one is told that
there were but 400 people in that dis.
triot he win understand that the state
ment has q welldefined meaning. He
lived alone at the edge Of the big
swamp. nshing In summer when II
was not too hot; trspping In winter
when II was not too cold; sleeping and
ioafing the year around. no was avoid.
ed by the entire hard-working. hard
praying settlement
Il was q long tramp from the homo
Of Harding to the miserable cabin Of
the trapper. and by the time the for.
mer had arrived there his righteous
wrath against the slothful. sinful be
ing whom he sought wan grim and un-
relenting My house is the house Of
prayer: but ye have made IL den OF
thieves" he quoted sternly. Then he
raised his fist and smote upon the
wretched door such blow as Moses
OF old might have struck when he split
the rock and babe the waters gush
forth From within a squeaky. rat
like voice babe him enter, and through
the narrow doorway he crowded.
He glanced around the cluttered
place. From one corner thin. weasel
like figure arose and stood cringing
before the mighty one. fear thiekly
spreading his face as he noted the
formidable whip tightly clutched In
the equally formidable hand. Good
morning. Mr. Harding. Happy New
Year" he said. fawningly.
1T Is bad morning for you. and II
10 going to be an unhappy beginning
Of the New Year" he retorted. Steal
my shoat. win youl' The smaller man
threw up bis hands with a protesting
gesture az quick denial leaped to his
iips- But Harding silenced him with
roar.
Don't add lying TO your thieyery,
you sheepkilling cur. One false word
from your lips and your punishment
shall DO doubled. You thought you
were cunning. but In several places I |
found the mark Of that club foot Of |
yours while you were making OF with |
my good pork. Now what have you to
sayf"
Nothing. except that did not steal
-" As bear strikes. 20 did the heavy
arm Of the invader shoot out. the hand
gripping the thin shoulder like q trap.
Il warned you II you lied your pun
ishment should be doubled. Has not
the good Lord commanded Thou shalt
not stealT Thank your stars that you
did not live in those days. for you
would have been stoned 70 death.
Rather. bless your luck that you have
fallen into the hands Of a compassion
ate man" With a hiss the lash fell |
and q shuddesing scream burst from
the lips Of the bringing one. But from
then o. no sound escaped them until.
at Last released from the iron grip, Joe
fell Imply upon the frozen ground.
Sterniy gazing down upon his victim
for q moment. Harding turned away. |
1T was the Just punishment Of q
rogne hv q iuaf man." be muttered 10 |