San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-20


effects of drink.
Behind the wagon walked young petit
Jogging lawyer of the place, whom | just
knew by sight, and with HIM was man
whose face could see distinctly, but whose
figure was dimIy associated in my mind with /
something unpleasant couldn't recall
what.
The horses were turned up on the sidewalk
and their discouraged heads hung over the
rickety fence that separated Mr.. Van Grind
er's lot from the street The old man climbed
down from the seat and seemed to be point
ing the way for them to move Strangely
enough his unsteady finger appeared to aim
directly toward our house.
The stranger now turned so that had a
good view Of his countenance, when at once
knew him; it was Ephraim Jorton. A cold
chill ran down my back as glanced again at
the empty wagon and saw that it was not
empty. 1t contained long pine box that
reached slightly ABOVE the sides of the wagon,
and my worst fears were realized-almost;
for still had reason to be thankful that it
was Van Grinders lot and not mine that they
seemed about to enter.
At a word from the lawyer the old man
and Jorton gave pull at the top rail of the
fence and over it came
They then took bee line; yes, for my house
and for the very window where we were now
breathlessly watching.
Maria was puzzled and interested; was in
agony.
Though the ground was rough and steep in
places, the driver slashed his old horses and
persuaded them that they were to move
straight ahead and follow the men before
them.
1t now appeared who so rough q turnout
had been used to convey-I shudder to say it
"a dead body to its final resting place.
Diagonally across the corner of the lot
straight on they all came, remorseless as fate,
till finally they reached another fence This
time it was a newer fence. 1t was my fence.
Jorton went to TIE wagon and returned
with hammer and chsel, with which he
proceeded carefully to take down a length
the fence. rcouldn't help thinking that l. |
handled it nearly as If it were his own fence
stupidity wondering what thew would {
next, stood like statue or fool, till Maria /
asked me if l was the latter, cor why didn't
60 out and stop themT'
Mechanically | put on my hat and went
out, though had an awful foreboding that /
shouldn't be able to stop them asked
Jorton what he was about, to which he re |
piled that Lawyer Snively would explain
That gentleman bowed, and drew from his |
pocket a paper, which he said was a copy OF
the deed of this land, from the Jorton fam,
lily. He read the clause reserving the bury /
ing ground, and, concluding, together with
a right Of way to and from the said buryinS |
ground, for the purpose of burying their
dead, to them and their heirs forever"
"You can't blame Mr.. Jorton," said he,
"for he is descendant, and even bears the
Identical name of that early Ephraim Jor-
ton, and it isn't his fault that the mother OF
his deceased wife happened to die at his
house, not far from here; she had TO be
buried somew here"
He paused for breath, and the pensive Jor-
| ton repeated after him, "Yes, had to II
buried somewhere"
81 don't deny that" almost shouted, for
saw that Maria had raised the window, and /
| thought It was time for me TO show a little
| spirit; "but if she's got to be buried in that
| ground, why didn't you inquire for thu
proper way to itl A right of way has be<
left on the other side of the farm"
Lawyer Snively replied serenely that there
was only one proper way that they had q
| right to follow, and that was the way that
had always been used
Zone of our Oldest residents is present."
said he, who can testify that we are now
following the original lane; he has fixed the
| line by means Of one or two old trees, and
there is no doubt of its correctness"
The old wreck, evidently rejoiced at his own
Importance, smiled feebly and was about to
speak, when Snively shut him off and con-
tinued: "Moreover-weie very sorry, but
this isn't the worst Of it.; the way runs right
through this wing of your house. The horses
might pass around outside if you will give
written permit, acknowledged before no
tary-l can do that for you; it won't cost you
but quarter and will be pleasanter for all
parties; but the corpse, of course, must fol-
low the legal right Of way and be passed
through that window and out of the door OPP
posite."
l stood perfectly dazed. longed for an
earthquake For once my prayer was an
swered; the earthquake came
Our first premonition of its coming was the
jingling Of chain in the back yard, and the
words, in Maria's firm voice:
There, Bone, gently nowl"
He was nominally my dog, but when he
was united l was, more accurately speaking,
his man.
On ordinary occasions didn't hesitate at
the most groveling act to curry his favor,
and had always shuddered at Maria's ia
miliarity with him On the present occasioH
l didn't shudder. felt perfectly resigned
and willing to take my chances with the
company was in
"Whoever's driving those horses turn them
around quick and all get inl can't hold
him much lJngerIn The warning was hardly
needed; Patrick had already begun to swing
ha