South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-31
NO TEUD.
How a Wee Boz Brought Peace to
Mur1erOuS Missouri Hillmen.
NO FTUD.


MurderOus Missouri Hillmen.
Hey. stranger" \ thin voice
called presciently from the foot Of
a rocky bluff. Then it repeated:
"Hey. strangeri You'ns dassent go
on further. Briar Creek bridges
done carried away"
Jabe Breathwaite continued on
his way, the rain heating him mer-
cilessly twas impossible 10 hear the
warning voice in the heavy down
pour, and the sloshing Of his Zig
booted feet in the red mud prevent
ed ordinary sounds from reaching
him. For hours, despite the rain
the hillman had continued his jour
ney. Exposure which would have
chilled another man TO the bone
seemed but to add fuel 10 the fire
raging within him.
A little figure, soaked TO the skin
emerged from a shelter along the
bluffs skirting the road and strove
sturdily 20 overtake Breathwaite
Even in the darkness the boy coull
see that the lone pedestrian was
tail. extremely broad Of shoulders
and that he muttcred to himself.
Stranger" The boy a. last over
took him and jerlled at his coat
"S-t-r-a-n-g-e-r," he shriIled. The
big man stopped. turned, and his
cold gray eyes scowled down into
the face OF a boy Of 10.
wal, young'un. watts all this hyar
fuss erbout?" queried Breathwaite
wrathfully at the youngsters efforts
TO attract his attention. CANT a
man travel in the hills 'thout some
kid taggin' at his coat tails? Why,
| kid. you'ns air half drowned Gil.
back Outen the rain! I'm In a hur-
ry.'
"You'ns CANT 60 no further!" the
boy almost screamed. "Briar Creek
bridges washed away, and the
creeks all over the country. Youns
would jest walk into hit and drown!'
A moment later both were under
the cliff. where Breathwaite scrutl-
nized. closely the blue eyed boy at his
side and wondered why he was out in
the storm. Jabe asked few ques-
t!ons. The fire of wrath within him
seemed TO gain fuel as the turn OF
events forced a delay in his plans.
Still the boys presence shot certain
thoughts into his mind. and finally
speech came from him grudgingly.
Nance" queried the mountain
Ger.
Dave" was the quick response.
Then the little fellow edged closer
TO the big man for warmth. For
an instant Breathwaite made an e.
l -, -
OF their shelter, sheer rock and a
| protruding ledge for roof, prevented
I lit He felt. too. that the little body
was warm. Ills big hands clasped
tho boys For some reason it gave
him pleasure. and suddenly. con-
! firmed bachelor that he was, he
was seized with longing for a boy
just like this one.
oval. Dave" he questioned hoarse-
~. what brought you'ns outen the
rain? faint no place for a kid
| liken you"
Il jest wanted to save a man." the
boy replied.
ITO save man? How's that.
ave ." the mountaineer asked quick
~.
Didn't I tell you'ns Briar Creeks
up2" he shouted, so his words might
carry 10 his listener. The noise OF
the storm was now at its height.
Don't yoU'ns see if I hadn't been
here you'ns would a walked into ole
Briar Cree6 and drowned? 1 was
over at Grandpop Rawley's when
this hyar cloudburst cum. 1 started
home"
"Grandpop Rawley'' gasped the
mountaineer. his face hardening
suddenly "You'ns haint a Rawlcy,
air yOuns?'
"Shore!" retorted the boy proud
ly. putting his hand OH the Liz
mans shoulder a moment later il
Slipped around his neck.
Breathwaite was too startled for
speech A Rawley here! The child
of the man he had Travelled far to
kilt The Breathwaite and Raw
lev feud had been bitter one. only
two Of it's participants were left
he and the father Of the boy at his
side Just few DAYS before he had
learned Of the meeting Of the boys
uncle and BreathwMtes nephew in
the hills Two shots-and two hill
men were dead. BE was the sole
Brcahtwaite left. and raging at the
outcome OF this last encounter he
had left his lone shanty amid the
pines to exterminate the last man
of RawIey blood.
Don't seem to like the RawIey -
The boy broke the sudden silence.
Then without a tremor: "Why?"
ooh. nothin'r The big mountain
Ger uttered the words hoarsely, aft
e. controlling the seething ca,dron
within jest nothin' Don't see
the sense Of you'ns oute1 this
weather why a kid liken YOU.
Did YOU come jest as you said?'
Eyes. and fur more" he admitted.
II wanted TO meet n man"
why. boy" gruffly demanded
the hiIlman. as the warm impress
Of the small hand began 10 be felt
What man."
"Jabc T2rcathwaite." the little Eel
! low replied. not noticing the tremor
that seized his companion. nd
what's more, I'm Il go.n' TO stay till
he comes"