The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-08-20
MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
BY MORRIS REDwING.


Night was fast approaching. and l was
anxious to find shelter before the storm
broke that had been threatening now for
nearly an hour.
The distant growl of thunder had in
creased to loud peal, and the far-otf glow
of the lightning was now one almost con-
tinuous glow 1t would not be long ere the
storm broke in mad fury and with it the
night would be doubly dark.
NY horse was faded from n long drive,
my buggy wheels spattered with mud, and
myself III anything but a pleasant state of
mind This seemed to be the worst coun-
try l had ever encountered.
As the agent of Williams & Jones. had
come to this out of the-way region TO look
after their interests in a suit that was pend
ing in the Circuit Court of one of the
northern counties.
Forty miles over barren oak plains, and
through pine and hemlock woods. with the
buggy jolting and bounding over roots and
stones. through mud and water good part
of the distance. was not calculated to rem
der one good natured, to say the least.
Jones, Junior member of the firm. had
been on the ground for week, and it was
a dispatch from him that brought me on
this journey.
Your testimony is absolutely essential
to the success of our claims, were the ex-
act words indited by Mr.. Jones, and so l
had set out at once, hiring my horse at the
railway station nearest the county seat for
which l was aiming Many thousands OF
dollars were involved in the suit and l re-
alized the importance of my arriving on the
ground in due season.
Ii was long, lonely road from the sta
ton, and began to fear that might have
lost my way, when the sight of smoke and
the gray of a roof lcomed in sight | urged
my horse forward, and drew rein in front
of dingy-looking house in the center of a
small clearing.
noticed a faded signboard bearing the
name Cottage Inn" upon it
Great drops of rain began to fall, and a
terrific peal of thunder shook the very
ear.h. This was accompanied by red
CLEAN that was simply binding
/ glanced down the road at the black wall
of swaying trees, Ind then leaped from my
seat to the ground.
man came to the door at my call, a
g1Zzled, unprepossessing fellow, who said
he would put out my horse.
Better git inside quick, stranger; it's
poin ter rain like great guns.
| needed no second invitation. but strobe
into the open door, and found myself in a
narrow, low ceiled ROOM across a portion
of one side of which extended dingy bar.
A Jug and few black bottles sat on a
shelf next the wall, and the end of the bar
next the end of the room was occupied by
a bucket of water, the long handle of tin
dipper showing itself above the side of the
vessel.
/ sat down on a stool and glared out into
the falling rain. The thunder crashes
IL foa.f
glow of red, blue, and white electricity
shot through the gathering shadows with
out 1t was terrible night, and l felt
thankful for the shelter that the old way
side tavern afforded.
In little time the man who had taken
my horse to the stable came in and shook
the water in shower from his shaggy
great coat.
Mighty bad night, stranger" articulated
the man. You hadn't an idee of goin
furder tonight
When left this morning / had. How
far is it TO Pine Creek?"
Eth? BE you goin' there? Wal, it's 9
matter of six miles. / wouldn't advise YOU
to go on to night.
IL shall not, if this storm continues.
Its likely to. Have some supper"
/ was fatigued. and felt in need of some
thing strengthening, so / answered in the
affirmative.
Lighting lamp first. my host ther
shutfied into The next room, and / heard
him giving orders 10 IA woman about supper
for hungry traveller. When the man came
back he removed his coat and hung it ny
behind the bar, then he seated himself and
proceeded in an attempt to look me out oil
countenance.
You said you was goin to Pine Greek,
he questioned. In hoarse dmwl. "Mebbs
you've got business ter court?"
Maybe have"
II was up thar day Big case comes
off ter morrer. johnson agin Williams 4
Jones. Mebbe you wasn't goin up on tina
suit?"
The grizzled head leaned nearer to me
and queer look, full of curious question
ing. filed the little gray eyes. / felt an
noyed at the fellows impudence.
A crush of thunder silenced a quick re
tort from my lips. and second thought pre-
vented my giving vent to my true feelings
at all.
Il am witness in the case of johnson
against Williams IL Jones'" / said, in
pleasant way in spite of my feelings. :"
desired very much to get through to
night.
SYou can easy make the Creek afore cour
sets in the mornin'," said the landlord
whats the odds whether you stay here o
there tonight? You'll be fresher to stol
here. reckin.
nodded, without reply. The host rose
after another close scrutiny of my face
and shuffied into the next room. / was lief
TO myself for time. | was not favoabl.
impressed with the proprietor OF Cottag