The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-03-09
AFTER KID
MULLICAN
BY ALAN HlNSDALE

~ II was reported TO me that there
was young clergyman In Hilton, a.
farm center. some twenty miles away,
and II was suspected that he was Kid
Mulligan, a half boy, half man. DIES
perado. who was fond OF masquerad
ing In different DISCUSSES. was anx.
ious TO secure Mulligan and concluded
to go to Hilton and inspect the rever.
end gentleman. | had never seen the
Kid. but had description Of him.
On my way to Hilton I met farmer
who had been held up by a masked
man the night before. lie was un
armed and handed out what little mon
ey he had about him without making
a show Of defense. Indeed. he was toe
frightened TO take notice of the robber
except that he spoke with a voice not
at all gruff On the contrary. II was
rather musical
This robbery was an indication that
MulIigan was the robber and Mulligan
and the robber were one and the same
person. went on TO Hilton and made
inquiries for the Rev. Joseph Wyeth
the parsons name. and was told that
he was to be found at the Phoenix no
tel. He WIS travelling under com.
mission Of the bishop to raise funds for
building churches. went to the no
tel, small tavern, and found the
curate sitting on the veranda. He
wore the canonicals Of an Episcopal
clergyman. his hair was parted In the
middle. and altogether his appearance
was exceedingly clerical.
Soon after my arrival at the tavern
he arose and started down the main
street till lie came to church and
turned I'm a. back door. ! inferred
that the rector had study there and
Wyeth was going to visit him. ! wait
ed till he came out. then went In t.
interview the rector found him a.
elderly man not versed In worldly
ways. He had seen Mr.. Wyeth's ere
dentials from the bishop. but had no;
scrutinized the signature. Mr. Wyeti
was arranging with him TO speak t.
his congregation the next Sunday even
ing. with a view to taking up a collec
ton for church building I'm the diocese
From Mr.. Wyeth's personal appear
ance and certain of his mannerisms
gathered suspicious Of him. | did moi
believe him to be Kid Mulligan. but
did believe that he was not an Episco
| pal minister However. had no real
knowledge concerning him and felt
obliged to let him proceed with what
he was doing. keeping him under sur
veillance. | decided to let him deliver
his Sunday evening address. but did
not propose to let him get out Of town
with the proceeds of the collection
without being convinced that he was
what he purported to be.
When Sunday evening came | at
tended the church services. At the
proper time the rector spoke few
words OF introduction: then Mr.. Wyetl
began his address. Possibly II ! had
not been suspicious of him nigh,
have been fooled by his remarks like
gave him away to me. In mentioning
the places the bishop desired churches
should be built he included the tow
Of Bingham happened to know tina
an Episcopal church had just been fin
ished in Bingham.
The young man spoke with pleas
antly modulated voice and talked hu
emily. | sat in pew right under him
where I could watch him. and | thinl
that my fixed gaze disconnected him
for he gave me an occasional glance
and every time he did so he seemed &
lose the bread of his discourse
Doubtless others of the congregation
attributed this to his youth and tn,
fright natural to a speaker.
Tent he had made a very favorabl
impression was evident from the col
lection. which for SO small plac
departed. and the two clergymen wen
into the vestry room, the one TO turl
over. the other to receive the contribu
tons. | listened under an open win
dow and heard Wyeth bid the recto
goodby. saying that he must be OF
early the next morning.
Having seen the young man ente
the tavern and go to his room, ! wait
ed for an hour then told the landlor
that | wished to speak TO Mr. Wyet
and asked him 10 90 TO his room wit
me- | had reasons for wishing I'll
landlord with me which will appea
presently Tie consented, and. takin
candle. we went To the clergyman
room and knocked ON the door
who's thereY'
The landlord and ! looked at eac
other The voice sounded like that o
woman suddenly awakened.
"a gentleman wishes TO speak wit
you. Mr. Wyeth." said the landlord.
Its too late. I've gone to bed.
This time the voice had lost somethin
of its femininity.
My mind was made up. The doc
was locked. Drawing on. ! gave II
kick. and II dew open. Mr.. Wyeth wa
revealed In bed pulling the covers u
to his chin. Approaching. | dre'
them down far enough to expose hi
neck
Il thought So" | remarked 10 Oh
landlord Then, turning 10 the woman
| said: