The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-05-20
The House Of the
Three Ganders

MIN from Judge swirl. IL was InlS
"Robert Royce is now sitting by the
freside at the Westminster hotel in
Ashfield. Rodney 1.-THE proprietor1
tells me that he has been sitting in the
chair he now occupies ever since he
finished eating his supper about quar-.
ter past six"
Blake told the Judge Of the singular
incident Of the evening and rang off.
He came out of his Office.
"Well, Sheriff, Pm about ready for
an important move In this game Of
checkers" he said. "I've got man
in the king row. I'm going to move
for Bumpy Browns release on bail"
The. County court convened in the
morning.
The district attorney, in view Of the
discovery of new evidence in the case
Of the People against William Brown,
moved for the release of the de-
PENDANT on bail freely offered by
number Of responsible Grand Army
men. II am convinced that the pris-
oner II he is set free can be Of some
service to u.s."
The motion was granted. Late that
afternoon Colonel Blake called Shad
to his office. He said: II think that
you now have chance to render me
an important service. I want you to.
go up with Bumpy Brown tomorrow
and live with him or near him for
couple Of weeks. The old man likes
you and Bony. For you, especially,
he entertains a real affection. Per-
haps you can get him to help us. I
want to know who is that pretty Miss
De Long who works in South Bolton
and who came to his little house one
Sunday when you were there. / can
not place her. She seems to have
dropped out Of the skies. How does It
e about that she and Bumpy
Town are on familiar terms? / have
staked out the ground for you. It
may be that love can accomplish what
fear could not"
81 don't believe that I ought to do
that" Shad objected. ''The old man
has been good to me-" q
"And want you to be good to him.
You are not to be spy but friend.
You will be under no obligation to
report anything which he is unwilling
that should know"
"Then I shall enjoy my job,' Shad
answered.
The next day Shad got a livery
team and an ample store Of provisions
for Bumpy's larder. He telegraphed
to Bony asking him to meet them at
the Fun Shop. They put a warm
brick in the bottom of Dicks cage and
covered its bars with a shawl. Be-
fore noon they arrived in sleigh at
the end of the trail leading into
Browns cove.
Bony, standing by the door, waved
his hat as they drew near.
"Welcome homer he shouted.
Bumpy shook his hand but did not
speak. They hurried into the shack.
Bumpy stood moment looking up at
the portrait Of his wife. Just faint,
quivering Hello, mother" came from
his lips. He hurried to the filed
water pail, took down a dipper and
drank.
Shad winked to Bony as he said !:
"We'l go out an break up some more
wood an leave you with the woman a
few minutes"
The boys went out-of-doors and cut
down a dead tree in the near thicket.
II never heard him call her mother
before" said Shad.
.Nor l." Bony answered. "Ye know
I'm kind o. scared for the old man.
I don't see how he's goin' to make a
Twin. It's winter time. He can't
travel around much. He has to git
home every night to look after that Oh
bird"
HE has some money saved up and
If he needs more the colonel is going
to give it to- him."
They returned to the shack. Bumpy
was now in a cheerful mood. The
bird was laughing and going over his
reminiscent and familiar sayings on
the broad window-sill near the oven.
Shad unwrapped the supplies.
well, boys, there's some dead
so'gers layin' around here, but we
might be in worse shape, as a Teller
used to say that had hump on his
back" Bumpy began. "Don't look so
solemn. Well fix up good dinner.
You look kind O. nervous. What's the
matter?"
'Tve been talkin' with some fools
that still think you're guilty." Bony
answered.
swell, fools are like frogs in q
pond. You can hear 'em preachin' day
an night, but nobody is ever con-
verified"
Bumpy had washed at the sink and
was drying his face and hands.
"The People ag'in' Brown" he ex-