The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-09-28

~ fee. A bell in the steeple of a
distant church was toling and cross
ing the street couple of squares be-
low he saw a crude hearse followed by |
few buggies and carriages slowly .
moving toward the cemetery Oh a red
hill to the west. 1t was the burial pro-
cession of the murdered man.
Just as he was aboutto ascend the
stairs Abner met young man coming
down. 1t was William Barnett. ris-
ing young lawyer. whom Abner had
known from his boyhood.
Hello. Billy" Abner greeted him
warmly. "Whar've you been? | hain't
seed you fer month"
Been away Oh business" the lawyer
answered. He was of medium height,
rather slender in build and florid CON-
rlexion. He had Il face that indicated
the possession of rare Intelligence.
clear blue eye and active body. I'm
ahout to induce some big cotton mills
to locate Mt Darley Yorc paper has
started a hoom Uncle Ab"
Il hope so," Abner answered list
lessly. you've heard Of Howard's
trouble, l know"
Yes, hurried home on that account
Barnett answered, his face falling into
gravity. I've just been up to see him.
He and l are very close friends.
Roomed together at college and been
| chums ever since. We used to share
our pocket money between US. Uncle
Alb, this thing has hit me hard. Ion
see l know from experience what Il
sensitive fellow Howard is. He almost
cried up there just now. | tried to
cheer i'm up with my cotton mill news.
but he hardly heard what was say
ing. He blames himself for getting you
and his family into such great trouble" :"
do you shink an arrest will be
made?" Abner faltered.
| "Oh, yes: there is no getting around
that. and it will happen at any minute
now. The grand jury has found a bill.
The sheriff. is only delaying because he
likes Howard and hates to take action.
Yes. 1t is awful. Uncle Alb. for an inno-
rent young man to be accused
'Then you think he is innocent?" Alb
ner exclaimed gratefully.
81 not only think it, but know it. 81
Barnett returned. Anybody that looks
in Howard's face can see the truth
beaming out of it. Knowing him as
do, I'll take his word for any statement
that he would make l don't believe
he ever lied in his life. He's true blue
and finer now under this cloud than ht
ever was. God knows this is terribly
unfair. Uncle Alb. He has temper
that he came by honestly, and 1t wa.
nothing but natural for him to reseEt
Craigs insulting remarks III lost
faith in the universe if this goes
against him. There is something
wanted to say to him, but / was afrait
it might hurt his feelings. Uncle Alb.
owe Howard for thousand kind act:
in the past have saved up som.
money, got nobody to support. and i
you need any cash 1 want you to conn
to me for it. Just let it be betweeI
you and me. Howard needn't know
about it, but want to help"
Abner's eyes grew moist. He caugh
the young mans hand and wrung il
I'VE won't need no money he gulped
but we need Il lawyer that believes il
i'm. I've talked to one old hog tha
thinks the boys guilty. Billy. you ar
4 the only man i'll the state that I'd trus
the case TO. Will you take it,
"lll do my BEST Barnett said. take
4 aback somewhat. If giving my Who'll
q soul to it will win. I'll succeed. How
ard is innocent. and somehow | fee
t like l could make any twelve men /
h the world believe it. see now tha
bail won't be allowed. and OUT frien
Il will have TO stay In Jail till 0kobe
Il court unless we can find the real Grim
II nal The officers are so sure that the
Il have the right man that they will Il
, the other slip through their tinger
y. We must do some detective work o
, our own account. 1t is the only thin
- that will do us bit of good"
ri Entering the office q few minute
later. Abner saw Howard still at b
. table, but Il glance sufficed to convint
. him that the youn. man was unable
- concentrate his mind upon his wor
Abner paused behind him and locke
., ., over his shoulder. This is what
=, saw as the beginning of an article:
OLD DARLEY ON A BOOM! BIG co,
l" TON MILLS TO LOCATE HERE,
n NEW RAILROAD TALKED OF.
r. Abner sighed. and, looking up. How
is ard caught his eye.
c. EFF l was you I'd not bother abo'
II that fer this weeks issue. anyway
It the old man faltered. Il hate to So
It my boy. but | reckon we ort to IL
:" sech things aside fer awhile, an -
1t You mean because--I see. because
at Howard's voice trailed away iD wav
of despair.
rs "We'd as well face the truth, bad
IT, it is" Abner said. his tones full IL
he round
ILL But want to do my work. t
ny young man declared. "I've underta
ny en- to help you run this paper. and
hs oughtn't to let IA false charge of a
'ie sort stop me. Your money is in
I'll keep on if work in jail-in ia
el Do you understand? 1t won't be
eu first time fellow has written un(
such conditions The worst part Of
is. however, that you deserve diff
ent sort of reputation for the pal
- than that it is edited by man
cused OF d terrible crime"