The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-02-04
Serving Warrant on Lost Noun
tain.

From Joel Chandler Harris's humor-
GUS and dramatic story, "Trouble on
Lost Mountain" in the January Century,
we take this characteristic incident OF
mountain life in northern Georgia: "On
one occasion shortly after the war, Abe
had gone to the little county town on
business, and had been vexed into lay
ing rough hands on one of the promi-
nent citizens who was a trifie under the
influence of liquor. A warrant was is
sued, and Dave McLendon, the sheriff
of the county, a stumpy little man,
whose boldness and prudence made
him the terror of criminals, was sent to
serve it. Abe, who was on the lookout
ing, and prepared himself. He stood in
the doorway, with his rifle flung care
lessly across his left arm.
"'Hold on thar, Daver he cried, as
the latter came up. The sheriff, know
ing his man, halted.
4 hate to fling away my manners,
Dave, he went on, but folks is gettin'
to be mighty funny these days. A mans
obleeged to s'arch his best frien's fore
he kin find out thar which-aways. Dave,
what sort of dockyment is you got
ag'in' me?'
81 got warrant, Abe said the
sheriff pleasantly.
"'Wen, Dave, hit won't fetch me,
said Abe.
"'Oh, yesr said the sheriff Yes it
will, Abe. / bin a-usin' these kind er
warrants mighty long time, an they
fetches feller every whack.'
".Now, I'll tell you what, Dave said
Abe, patting his rife, 4 got dockyment
here that'll fetch you blamed sight
quicker'n your dockymert'n fetch me;
an tell you right now, plain an flat, ]
hain't a-gwine to be drug aroun' an
slapped in Jail
"'The sheriff leaned carelessly against
the rail fence in the attitude of man
who is willing f. argue an interesting
question.
"'Well, l tell you how feel about it,
Abe said the sheriff, speaking very
slowly. You kin shoot me, but you
can't shoot the law. Bang away at me,
an thar's another warrant after you.
This yer one what I'm already got don't
amount to shucks, so you better fling on
your coat, saddle your horse, an go
right along wi me jes' ez neighborly ez
you please
".Dave, said Abe, if you come in at
that gate you're a conner
"'Well, Abe,' the sheriff replied, i
lowed yo'd kick; l know what human
natur' on these hills is, an so | thes AK.
ed some er the boys to come along.
They er right down thar in the holler.
They hain't got no mo- idea what come
fern the man in the moon; yit they d
make mighty peart posse. Tooby
shore, great big man like you amt
afeard fer ter face er little bit er law
"Abe Hightower hesitated moment,
and then went into the house. In few
minutes he issued forth and went out to
the gate where the sheriff was The
faces of the two men were study.
Neither betrayed any emotion or alluded
to the warrant. The sheriff asked after
the crap and Abe told him it was
'middlin peart,' and asked him to GO
into the house and make himself al
home until the horse could be saddled.
After while the two rode away. Once
during the ride Abe said:
I'm mighty glad it want that fel.
Ter what run agi you last fall, Dave
"'Whyp' asked the sheriff.
'Bekaze I'd a plugged him certain
an shore said Abe.
..Well, said the sheriff, laughing, i
wuz a-wishin' mighty hard thes about
that time that the fother feiier had got
'leeted.'" ?"