Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-08-24
AFTER KID
MULLIGAN
By ALAN HiNSDALE

" IL WAS iepOfleu 10 me That there
was Il young clergyman in Hilton, a
farm center, some twenty miles away,
and it was suspected that he was Kid
Mulligan. a half boy, half man, des-
perade, who was fond of masquerade
ing in different DISCUSSES. L was anX-
ious to secure Mulligan and concluded
to go to Hilton and inspect the rever
end gentleman. l had never seen the
Kid. but had a description of him.
On my way to Hilton l met 4 farmer
who had been held up by a masked
man the night before. He was I'M
armed and handed out what little mon
ey he had about him without making
a show of defense. Indeed, he was too
frightened to take notice of the robber
except that he spoke with a voice not
at all gruff. On the contrary, it was
rather musical.
This robbery was an indication that
Mulligan was the robber and Mulligan
and the robber were one and the same
person. I 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 was travelling under a COM
mission of the bishop to raise funds for
building churches. I went to the ho-
tel, a 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 he came to a church and
turned in at a back door. l inferred
that the rector had a study there and
Wyeth was going to visit him. l wait
ed till he came out, then went in to
interview the rector. l found him an
elderly man not verscd in worldly
ways. He had seen Mr.. Wyeth's ere
dentials from the bishop, but had not
scrutinized the signature. Mr.. Wyeth
was arranging With him to speak to
his congregation the next Sunday even
ing, with a view to taking up a collec-
ton for church building in the diocese.
From Mr.. Wyeth's personal appear
nee and certain of his mannerisms |
gathered suspicious of him. l did not
believe him to lie Kid Mulligan, but
did believe that he was not an Episco-
pal minister. However, I had no real
knowledge concerning him and felt
obliged to let him proceed with what
he was doing. keeping him under sur,
VIGILANCE. l 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 l at
tended the church services. At the
proper time the rector spoke a few
words of introduction; then Mr.. Wyeth
began his address. Possibly if I had
not been suspicious of him I might
have been fooled by his remarks like
the others. One matter especially
gave him away to me. In mentioning
the places the bishop desired churches
should be built he included the town
of Bingham. happened to know that
an Episcopal church had just been fin
ished in Bingham.
The young nan spoke with a pleas
antly modulated voice and talked flu
entity. l sat in a pew right under him.
where l could watch him. and l think
that my fixed gaze Disconnected him,
for he gave me an occasional glance,
opd avorv tioo bn did ca bo roop,n6 tr
lose the thread of his discourse
Doubtless others of the congregation
attributed this to his youth and the
fright natural to a speaker.
That he had made Il very favorabl,
impression was evident from the col
lection. which for so small a plac,
was considerable. The congregation
departed. and the two clergymen wen
into the vestry room. the one to turn
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 90 to his room, I wait
ed for an hour. then told the landlor,
that l wished to speak to Mr.. Wyetl
and asked him to 60 to his room wit
me. l had reasons for wishing TIL
landlord with me which will appea
presently. He consented, and, takinj
a candle. We went to the clergyman
room and knocked on the door.
who's there?"
The landlord and 1 looked at eac.
other. The voice sounded like that O
a woman suddenly awakened.
"a gentleman wishes to speak wit
, you, Mr.. Wyeth." said the landlord.
cts too late. I've gone to bed.
7 This time the voice had lost somethin
| of it's femininity.
My mind was made up. The doc
was locked. Drawing off. I gave it
kick, and it flew open. Mr.. Wyeth wa
: revealed in bed pulling the covers u
to his chin. Approaching, I dre'
them down far enough to expose HI
neck.