Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-12-23

Eyes shifty. He was q coward ana
an intriguer BY nature and inciina'
ton. 1t was logical enough that when
the verdict Of the directors table that
Bad Anse Havey was q nuisance NJ
tered down the line the persons seek
ing native methods for abating the
nuisance should come to Clayheel
Hackley.
One day in August this attorney at
law. together with Jim Fletcher and a
tricky youth who enjoyed the distinc-
ton OF holding office as telegraph op-
orator at the Peril station. caucused
together in Hackley's dingy room.
In the death of Bad Anse Havey this
trio saw a Joint advantage. since the
abating Of such a nuisance would not
go unrewarded.
Gentlemen" said the attorney, his
wizened face working nervously, this
business has need to be expeditions.
Gentlemen--it requires. in its nature.
to be expeditions. A few more fall
ures and we are done for"
well tell us how ye aims ter do
hit" growled the telegraph operator.
Jim Fletcher has the idea," replied
the lawyer impressively. quite the
right idea. How many men can you
trust on a Job like this, Jim?"
"As many as we needs" was the con-
fident response. "a dozen or a score
if they're wanted"
Enough to make It sure. but not
too many" urged Hackley. we
should set a day precisely as the court
would set a day for-er-an execu-
ton. The force you send out should
simply stay on the job until it's done.
If Anse Havey a be got alone, so
much the better. But above all
The lawyer paused and spoke with
his most forceful emphasis: Don't
just wound this man. See that the
thing is finally and definitely settled"
"Ill be there myself" Jim Fletcher
assured him. Nov when is this day
goin' ter be?"
"This is Monday?" reflected the at
torney. There is no advantage in
delay. 1t will take a day or two to get
ready. Let the case be docketed. as
might say-for Thursday"
y
Anse Havey had gone to Lexington.
Never again did he to hold
against himself the accusation of "the
unlit lamp and the ungirt loin." He
knew that she loved him.
In Lexington he had bought a ring
and at Peril he had got a marriage IL
cense. His camp-following days were
over. He had one youth, and he knew
that If his enemies succeeded In
their designs that might at any mo-
ment be snapped short with sudden
death. 1t did not to him that n
Of its golden hours should be wasted.
AS he came out Of the courthouse
with the invaluable piece of paper in
his pocket two men, seemingly I'M
armed, rose from the doorway of the
store across the street and drifted to-
ward their hitched horses.
Young Milt McBriar had ridden over
to Peril that day with several compan-
ions, and Anse Havey went back with
them. So it happened that quite acct
dentally he made this journey under
escort. The men who rode a little way
In his rear cursed their luck-and
waited. And, though they lurked in
hiding all that afternoon near Anse
Havey's house, they saw nothing more
of their intended victim.
Anse was keenly alive to each days
impending threat, and when he
recognized the face of Jim Fletcher in
Peril, as he came through, he had read
mischief in the ayes and recognized
that the menace had drawn closer.
So, when he was ready to cross the
ridge to the school. he obeyed an old
sense Of caution and left his horse
saddled at the front fence that it
might seem as if he we're going out
but had not yet gone.
He had sent a messenger for Good
Anse Talbot, and the preacher arrived
while he was at his supper.
Brother Anse." he said, I'm goin'
to need We some time betwixt now and
midnight. | want We to tarry here till
| come back"
What's the nature of business We
needs me fer, Anse?" demanded the
missionary. Il hadn't hardly ought
ter wait. Thar's a child ailin' up the
top fork of little fork of Turkey-Foot
creek"
But Bad Anse only shook his head
ITS the best business We ever did,
he confidently assured the preacher
But can't tell We yet Is the child
in any danger?"
Il reckon not; hits Jest ailin
but"
The brown-faced man sat obviously
shaking his head, and Anse's features
suddenly set and hardened.
q needs ye," he said. Amt thai
enough? I'm goin' to need We bad"
That's a right strong reason, Anse
but"
For an instant the old dominating
will which had not yet learned t
brook mutiny leaped into Anst
Hayey's eyes. His words came in
harsher voice:
t win you stay of your own fire.,
will because I'm goin' to need We
Brother Anse?" he demanded. BE
cause, by God. we're goin' to stay-on,
} way or another"
Does We mean We aims ter holt
me hyar by force?"
Not unless We make me. / wouldn'
hardly like to do that"
For a moment the missionary de
bated. He did not resent the threa
of coercion. He believed in Ans
IIn-~- n-A &kl Gowra AA uoo,xn~A $3.50