Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-03-24

ton. II was logical enough that when
the verdict OF the directors table that
Bad Anse Ilavey was a nuisance nl.
tered down the line the persons seek.
ing native methods for abating tho
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 OPP
orator at the Peril station, caucused
together in H~ackley'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
90 unrewarded.
Gentlemen" said the attorney. his
wizened face working n~ervously, this
business has need to be expeditions.
Gentlemen-it requires. In Its nature.
to be expeditions. A few more fail
ures and We are done for"
We'll. tell us how We 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 ye needs" was the con.
fdent response. "A dozen or a score
II they're wanted"
Enough to make II sure, but not
too many" urged Hackley. I'VE
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.
II Anse Havey can 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"
"lll be there myself" Jim Fletcher
assured him Now when Is this day
goin' ter be?"
This is Monday" reflected the at.
torney, There Ia no advantage In
delay. It will take a day or two to get
ready. Let the case be docketed. az
might say-for Thursday"
Anse Havey had gone to Lexington.
Never again did he mean to hold
against himself the accusation OF the
unllt 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 H.
cense. His camp-following days were
over. He had one youth. and no knew
that II his enemies succeeded In
their designs that might at any mo-
ment be snapped short with sudden
death. 1t did not seem to him that one
Of Its golden hours should be wasted.
As he came out OF the courthouse
with the invaluable piece OF paper In
pocket two men. seemingly I'M
armed. rose from the doorway of the
across the street and drifted to-
ward their bitched horses.
Young Milt McBriar had ridden over
to Peril that day with several compan.
ions, and Anse Havey went back with
them. So 1t happened that quite acct
he made this journey under
The men who rode a little way
In his rear cursed their auckland
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 eyes and recognized
that the menace had drawn closer.
So, when he was ready to cross the
ridge to the school, he obeyed an old
OF caution and left his horse
at the front fence that 1t
might seem as II he were going out
but had not yet gone.
He had sent a messenger for Good
Anse Talbot, and the preacher arrived
he was at his supper.
Brother Anse," he said, I'm goin'
% need ye some time betwixt now and
midnight. | want ye to tarry here tin
come back"
What's the nature OF business ye
reeds me fer, Anse?" demanded the
Missionary. Il hadn't hardly ought
er wait. Thar's a child ailin' up the
op fork OF little fork OF Turkey-Foot
But Bad Anse only shook his head.
It's the best business ye ever did,"
le confidently assured the preacher.
But can't tell ye yet. Is the child
n any danger?"
Il reckon not; hits Jest ailin'
)ut-"
The brown-faced man sat obviously
his head, and Anse's features
i~uddenly set and hardened.
Il needs ye." he said. Amt that
I'm goin' to need ye bad"
That's a right strong reason. Anse,
,ut-"
For In instant the old dominating
Will which had not yet learned to
'rook mutiny leaped into Anse
eyes. His words came In q
voice:
VIII you stay OF your own free
Fill hpnnnEa I'm OnIp' IN naad ~ N