The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-12-23

Sinner
&c:
HuyMmy0ene

1UNN signs, present1ments or
%@ lunches, but just now
all this was different. For he had
seen certain signs that one Of his
shoats had been stolen; had a pre-
known as "Shiftless Joe" had done the
foul deed, and possessed bunch that
he was about to horsewhip Joe until
he outsquealed any pig critter that
was ever lifted over fence on a
moonless night. So, being man OF
deeds as we'll as thoughts, he took
down his trusty bull whip and started
swampward towards the abode of his
victim to be.
Now Shiftless Joe was not reckoned
among the 400 of John Harding's COM
munity, and when one is told that
there were but 400 people in that dis
trict he will understand that the state
ment has a well-defned meaning. He
lived alone at the edge of the big
swamp, fishing in summer when it
was not too hot; trapping in winter
when it was not too cold; sleeping and
loafing the year around, he was avoid
ed by the entire Woodworking, hard
praying settlement.
It was a long tramp from the home
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 was grim and un-
relenting "My house is the house of
prayer; but we have made it 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 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 thickly
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 it
is going to be an unhappy beginning
Of the New Year he retorted. "Steal
my shoat, will your The smaller man
threw up his hands with a protesting
gesture as quick denial leaped to his
lips But Harding silenced him with
roar. ~
Don't add lying to your ,thievery,
you sheep-killing cur One false word
from your lips and your punishment
shall be doubled You thought you
were cunning, but in several places I
found the mark of that club foot Of
yours while you were making off with
my good pork. Now what have you to
say?"
Nothing, except that did not steal
-" AS bear strikes, so did the heavy
arm of the invader shoot out, the hand
gripping the thin shoulder like trap.
II warned you if you lied your pun
ishment should be doubled. Has not
u
not steal?' Thank your stars that you
did not live in those days, for you
would have been stoned to death.
Rather, bless your luck that you have
fallen into the hands of a compassion
ate man." With hiss the lash fell
and shuddering scream burst from
the lips of the cringing one. But from
then on no sound escaped them until,
at last released from the iron grip, Joe
fell Imply upon the frozen ground.
Sternly gazing down upon his victim
for q moment, Harding turned away.
1T was the just punishment Of a
rogue by just man." he muttered to
his conscience.
From shapeless, writhing heap the
fallen one arose, his small eyes CLINT
ing with the deadly glare Of prodded
serpent. Whip me. you black devil
! you usurer-you forecloser Of Widows
mortgages-you sdodger of taxes you
5-you'' The voice rose to an mar