Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-05-30

would shortly fling wide her portals to
welcome an able statesman. There was
a solid vote for Laurence right through
his county. Why, then, this absence of
warmth, these alien glances, Us the
Judge at last strobe in2 Sure not for
that trifling delay of five minutes, for
which he so amply apologized.
Hang it gentlemen % cried the
Judge, who was easily put out, "vhat's
she matter with you NIL 2"
ats avery painful duty, we have TO
perform, began thin old man; with
sad comtenance.
"Well, be qnick about it. them" said
the Judge, very sensibly,
There was dead silence.
cts a lynching case, perhapsl" said
the Judge with sarcasm.
Look here, Laurance," said another,
suddenly, great personal friend of the
Judges, 1--WE want you to retire. After
all that's happened we can't send you
up rs temperance representative.
To this speech, hurriedly uttered,
| came strong chorus of support-''No,
indeed, we can't nor, you know"
In cases of real emergency the Judge
often Kept his temper. He now looked
round upon the group with undisguised
amaZement
''You must be good enough to explain
yourselves, gentlemen" he said.
Another dead silence! AT last mem
Der blurted out:
Judge, we don't want to hurt your
feelings, but we can't have man who's
given to drink to represent u.s."
II don't know what you mean to in
sinuate, said the judge, coldly, "but |
think every one present knows haven t
/ tasted II drop of liquor for the last twenty
| years; though from principle only, not
/ having been given to drinking
/ PREVIOUSLY. y
Come now, judge, draw it mild"
pleaded the sad-faced man.
''Sir!" Numbered Laurance.
Judge! judgel" repeated the last
speaker, sorrowfully, you've a-forfeited
our confidence and respect already,
you're aforfeiting it agen."
81 demand an instant explanation, !"
said Laurence, hastily, looking round
the circle.
well, then, said another member,
stepping forward, ''you shall have it,
plain and unvarnished. You were taken
to your lodgings in Montreal, during
the late Carnival; in disgraceful state
of intoxication.
cts a ie" shouted the Judge and
looking up suddenly, saw his niece
standing at the open door of the COM
mittee-room.
He waved her back and she vanished
immediately.
''Now then, cried the Judge, looking
very war-like, where's the author Of
this scandal 2"
r. Then he turned suddenly pale, as
Harry Hill stepped forward. Hill al
most his pretty Nellie's atfianced hus-
band
"Sir," said the young man, with Wis
IDLE emotion, 81 solemnly declared new
er meant to betray you.
The Judge looked thunderstruck, and
this was taken as overwhelming proof
Of his guilt. 80
81 was so sorry about it, F" faltered the
young man, ''that took Bonar into my
confidence. l thought we were entirely
alone; l never dreamed our converse
ton would be overheard
"It's lie, repeated the Judge. at
was someone else you saw. What made
you think it was me %
''No one could mistake your fur coat, ;"
cried several voices.
''Pshaw," said the Judge, shortly,
"You must bring better evidence, or I'll
sue every one of you for libel"
''No one could mistake the Misses
Laurance," said the judges friend, in a
low tone
"What the deuce do you mean,"
shouted the Judge.
"Why, they were supporting you on
each side r cried some one, with brutal
candor. 81 think that's conclusive .
To picture the judges expression Of
mingled iucredulity and fury were well
worthy of a master painter but
ere he could reply, 10 there
again stood Nelly in the doorway,
grasping by the arm a man who had the
impudence to be wearing his own pet
overcoat, whilst Lefty stood on the other
side
"Here is the real culprit, cried Mel.
ly's clear voice.
The girls advanced into the room,
pushing their companion gently back
ward. Again the judges temper got the
better of him. This, doubtless, was the
imposter for whose offense he had been
so lately arraigned. His wrath fairly
blazed. Striding forward, he caught
hold of the collar of his own coat, ex-
claiming, as he shook it furiously
''Turn round, You rascal and let me
see your brazen face"
Will the on-lookers ever foroget the