The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-08-21
CHAPTER XIII.
TASIPERING WITH JUSTICE.

~ reckin old Miles won't care
much" said Bill, as he and Walter
ratified on in the great lumber wagon
of Jack Hawkins.
II hope not" Walter answered.
Hes bin purity surly o late, amt
he?"
somewhat
"Know the reason?"
"Non
Guess may be ye don't do yer work
20 suit. "
II have heard no complaint" said
Walter.
The horses logged along in slow
Irot, their feet and the wagon-wheels
sending out an immense cloud of dust
that spread over the bushes atthe road
side. The leaves of the trees were
turned brown and gold from the early
frost, and the slight breeze shook them
off in showers by the wayside, heaping
them in the fence corners. 1t was one
of those delightful autumn days that
one loves to see. The birds chirped as
merrily us in the spring, while the
trisky little squirrel with a nut in $is
paw was in his glory.
Don't We rally think old Miles don't
like We very well, anyhowP' asked Bill
Martin, after a considerable silence.
There is something wrong with him
which | can not understand y
"Haven't We got a suspicion?" in
quired Bill, glaring curiously.
Walter had asuspiciOn, which almost
amounted to positive knowledge, but
he would rather die than tell it, never
theless he Rugged it close to his heart.
He supposed the farmers dislike for
the new hired man grew out of the at
tachment he had formed for the wealthy
husbandman' pretty daughter.
80, who could help loving her." he
had asked himself a thousand times;
yet he knew it was the greatest pre-
sumption for him to dare to do so.
Sacrificing truth to a principle which
was but phantom, yet was dearcr to
him than life, our hero replied
mo, sir | have not even suspicion
as to the cause of his dislike"
They logged along for some time in
silence, and Walter, in order to change
the subject, which had grown disagree
able to him, said:
"Who is the person you suspect Of
being guilty OF the robbery"
Thar are several of EN- Bill an
swered, with a significant grin on his
face which indicated that he did not
care to answer.
Walter again relapsed into silence,
and they ratified on, crossing the bridge
that Spanned the creek, and entered the
village of Bushville, which reposed
snugly on the opposite hillside.
Am to 60 with youP' asked Wal
ter.
'Where?n
ITO the Justices Office
"ln course, eff We want to co." said
Bill, as he drove his team up to the
hitching post and made it fast.
Walter descended from the wagon
and accompanied Bill, who went al
once to the office of Esquire Fogg.
Esquire Fogg was a slender man
with bald head and prominent spec.
tacles. He had an immense amount
of legal lore, like all other justices OF
the peace, and was always willing to
hazard an opinion on the most intri-
cate law question that could be sprung.
They found the justice sitting behind his
desk, which was on a raised diaS and
came quite up to his breast. There
was n bunch of legal-looking papers on
the desk before him, with a docket,
npn and ink Mt hand.
Good mornin'," said Bill, pausing
at the bar in front of the justice with
Walter standing just behind him.
Good morning, sir" returned the
Justice, looking up from the newspa
per, which he had been reading, al
Bill, who had removed his hat, and
stood by the rail around the desk, look,
ing more like a criminal at the bal
than a visitor.
IL don't believe know you" the
justice added.
Don't know me?'' said Bill, with
one of his most absurd grins. why
I'm known all over the country"
That may be so; still l assure you
have quite forgotten you, even if eve
knew you"
, Il am Bill Martin who stays will
Mr.. Jack Hawkins, in Preston Flat"
~ 20, yes; now remember you, Bill,