Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-10-18

SERVING THE WRIT.

field was seated in his Office one cold Winter
morning, and the Squire was vainly trying
to comprehend pile of law books. These
books had been left by opposing attorneys in
some case tried before him, and from the
cases therein cited, he was expected to make
up his decision. Had it been any other
question astronomy, mechanics
or what not-the Squire would have settled
it at once. He had the most thorough
confidence in the ability of Squire Butter.
field to settle anything; but now he was
perplexed. The more he studied the more ne
he became convinced that the plaintiff had
the law on his side; and so had the defendant !;
and that both sides had amply proved their
case. In this bewildering state of mind he
concluded to take a sort of middle course,
at once satisfactory to himselfift to no one else,
and he had just written upon the docket,
"Case dismissed for want of jurisdiction"
when the tall, thin, somber figure of Mr.. Grlmp
appeared in the doorway.
Now Mr.. Grimp was an awfully solemn
man. Arrayed in the blacklist of broadcloths,
the stiest ofneckties the whitest of shirt fronts
and standing collars, with features cold, aus
tere and severely serious, Mr.. Grimp some
how ever suggested unpleasant thoughts Of
funerals, grave clothes and cofins. He was
professedly very religious man, too-very.
In prayermeeting, class meeting, and on 9TH
er occasions, bis monotonous, sepulchral, me.
talic voice was frequently heard speaking of
the "shortness of life," the "certainty Of
DEATH" and about becoming food for the
worms" and such other cheerful subjects.
Cold and passionate himself, he had no mer-
cy for the weakness or frailty of his fellows,
exacting the most formal religious observance
in others, and the last penny due him by his
debtors. And he was rich.
II have called, Brother Butter6eld," be-
gan Mr.. Grimp in slow, measured tones
"I have called to see you about little mat.
ter that has been on my mind for some time {:
a matter I hesitated bringing before the
courts. as think the Scripture rule should
be generally followed about going to law be-
fore the unjust and"
"Humphp' And the Squire straighted him
self in his chair, and ran his hand through
his thin locks until each individual hair
stood out bristling protest. Il reckon |
amt bit more unjust than any on 'em. If
you're hintin' that way, why IN Sam Hill
didn't you take your case afore some splrltoo
al court an done with it"
Mr.. Grimp colored slightly. II think you
misunderstood me, Brother Butter6eld. l
only used the expression in general sense,
without allusion to you, who I know to be
man with clear ideas ofjustice, or else the
community had not placed you in 80 respon.
sible position" ......
The lSquire's testiness at once disappeared,
the smile came back, and he bowed in com.
placent acquiescence.
But to return to my business" continued
Mr.. Grimp. "You doubtless know Mrs. Bar
neyY" .
placent look instantly gave place to an un-
usual flush on the questioner's face.
eyes; believe she is widow. Her hus.
band-poor man-became somewhat lnVolv-
ed before he died but may we hope in bet
ter world that he has discovered the things OF
earth to be but vanity and vexation of spirit.
Like US all, Brother Butter6eld, he broug ght
nothing into the world, and it is certain he
carried nothing out"
II s'pose not, as you got the hull ont"
answered the squire, although misinterpret.
ing Mr.. Grimp's noralizing. ...
"Ahem! Ah, yes! presume you allude
to the foreclosure of the mortgage held on his
place. 1t was truly unpleasant for me to do.
but duty to my children, so lately deprived
of mother, impelled me. As the Scripture
SAYS: If any provide not for his own. espe.
cially for those of his own house, he hath de-
MED the faith, and is worse than an infidel.'"
Better had some keer for other folks or.
phans as WE'LL" muttered the Squire; but
Mr.. Grimp did not hear, and proceeded:
"Well, at the sale of Mr.. Barney's place,
bought it in, and since then have let Mrs.
Barney have it at nominal rent-at mere
nominal rent, assure you Brother Butter
field. And it is about that have called"
"The long and and short ont is, she hain't
paid the rent and you want her put out I"
"Well-yes, and no. l wish steps taken in
that direction, but not to extremes. | would
like process issued, but have final measures
kept in abeyance, as think the matter may
be amicably arranged"
"That is, you want some scarecrow to hold
over her. to bring her to terms ?" suggested
the Squire, looking keenly at his visitor.
Mr.. Grimp nodded. "You will attend to
it, Brother Butter6eld?" he said.
an tend to it," said the Squire. .s
Then Mr.. Grimp, bowing solemnly, said
Farewell, Brother Butter6eld,' and passed
out into the suushine-his figure almost too
thin and dried up to cast shadow in the
bright sunlight, yet sufficient to cast moral
shadows and unhappiness over homes and
lives around and about him.
For moment following Mr.. Grimp's de-
parture, the 'Squire's face was full of con-
flicting emotions. He arose from his chair,
and his small bootheels clattered on the Office
floor as he paced hurriedly to and fro.
"The old skinAint!" he muttered. "Jest
as if didn't see through him like book !!
He wants to convart the widow into Mrs.
Grimp number two, an if she amt willing
may be she's refused him already-he wants
me to make her think she'd better be. That's
what he wants Ha ha! I reckon there's
a widower that widow Barney or any other
woman would jest be proud to git; he's not a
thousand miles off, nether"-and the Squire
paused smilingly before small mirror, ad-
iusted his collar and smoothed the few hairs
carefully over the bald spot on his head.
"Not so old, after all ; and sight better look
ing than old Grimp! Guess he didn't know
who he was coming to, did he3 And ne
wants me to sarve writ on widow Barney.
George I'll sarve it myself, and git in ahead
of him Big joke it'll be on Grimp! Ha
In the main the Squire was correct in his
cogitations. To secure the lively, pretty, SEN
sible young widow as bel elpmeet in place of
the "late lamented," was precisely what Mr..
Grimp desired. He had, at different times,
made advances in that direction, but recev-
ing only negative replies, he concluded to try
little mild coercion and "bring her to her