The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-04-27

had noted ~ all, and was challng Ike Gagged
lion.
ats them Meekscs," he said. He caught
my eye and interpreted my thoughts Alright
"Orlery whelps Thar mad bekase my
Kinda is dsncin' with that Teller, Ben Coffee
Jes' SEQ how black Molly Ann looks-an' half
the fcllers here are mad, ten, fer thar all
MeekSes, mighty nigh"
nodded to intimate that understood. /
would have spoken but in order 10 keep up
with the violin must needs use my breath
for another purpose. just then | overheard
a loud remark, close 10 my elbow, from a
third possessor Of the Meeks physiognomy.
"In my bringin' up" he said, in loud, SUI
percilious ones, nobody played the fiddle
hut ole niggcrs. Nowadays the poor white
trash hez tux up Their trade"
Brisbane made balk IN time, missed two
or three notes, and jumbed the rest of the
bar together promiscuously. moment
later Meeks spoke again;
ooh, yes, ole Brisbane used ter be moro Of
a gentleman, but guzzling whisky hez about
laid him out"
The violin was mute, but kept "time'
going for an instant longer.
Got mighty purity gall remarked an.
other voice.
"Oh, yes. sneeringly, "Rinda Brisbane is
purity enough. allow, but them
The voice ceased, Tor / had whirlei around
and caught the speaker by the throat.
Take Miss Brisbanc's on your tongue
again and will tear IL out by the roots
shouted. furious with anger.
Mooks shook himself loose from my grasp
and stepped back pace.
"Who're so talkin' tew, little boyN he
queried, looking down AZ me from the height
Of his six feet four. Reckon you must be
another one Of Rinda's sugar Jumps, or you
Wouldn't
Thumpl Despite his height | managed 90
plant blow between Meek-' snaky eyes, and
he measured his length ON the 1oor
Brisbane caught NE by the shoulder and
pulled me violently back His ewes were
flaming with anger and his cleaning teeth
shone like wolf fangs in tho shadow of the
gray mustache
"Stau' back, young TELLER, he said grimly,
"this is my fight, an not yourn. Fl they
want tussle with Their ole man, they kin hey
il. l guess. Come on, ye cOwardly skunksl
Thars forty Meeks tew one Brisbane, but he
amt afearedl Come tow me. an feel the size
Of ole Kernul Bowler
conld see that his right hand gripped the
handle Of a knife-the blade being concealed
in his sleeve / saw Mceks staggering % his
feet and the crowd closing in, and | me
chemically graspcd the revolver in my coat
pocket
Az that moment there was a halt in pro
ceedings A newcomer crowded through tho
tirong, parting them right and left; tall,
p)rtly person whom had encountered few
hours before and now recognized with de.
lght-Sam Morley, the jolly hearted jus
ticen Of Snake Ridge.
"Hold on a minute, boys he called cheer
ily II hato 10 interrupt fair fight, but
am here on special business. and I'm in n sort
Of hurry TO gct7t over with"
"Alust be pow'rful prcssin'," grumbled the
angry fiddler.
quite 50, replied the squire. Besides,
have already got my fee--and Fat one, too,
and T. is only fair that should earn it at
once'
He drew from an inner pocket folded
paper, and looked at me inquiringly rs il
all rightp
hesitated: then suddenly | caught a
glimpse OF face in the backgrounds rosy,
radiant face suiIused with blushes-and ]
nodded a quick assent
"Then hear We. all people" shouted the
joval Morley. holding the document aloft, m
full view Of the puzzled, attentive throng
81 have here q marriage license, drawn with
an the formalities Of law, by which | am
authorized 20 unite in wedlock Richard Shcr.
win and Marinda Brisbane. Are the parties
prescntp
With a peculiar, half frightened sensation
al my heart | made a step forward and then
[ felt little, soft hand nestled confdingly
within my palm.
Anybody able 10 produce any half way
decent objection TO thi, matohi II so, speak
now. for it's your last and only chance
Every eye wa. turned upon old Brisbanes
weather beaten visage. In evident perplex-
It's his eyes wandered from his daughter g
face 10 mine. then over the assembled crowd
until, by chance, they rested upon tho dis
colored bruise that now was plainly visible
on the forehead Of big Tony Meeks. Then
the old mans face lighted with a smile Of
satisfaction.
go ahead, square he said calmly. OFF
he'd forty gals that Teller cud have his pick
Of tie lot"
Every man in the room was perfectly cog
infant of the old fellows reasons for so say
ing. No reward was too great for him who
had caused the downfall OF a Meels. Still,
no one expressed any signs Of disapproval,
and when the ceremony was over Molly
Ann Meeks was the first 10 offer congratula-
tons.
"Sech a surprise she sinpered, 81 never
was 50 beat in my life. Aud dew hope as
how Mister Sherwin will settle down some
war clus, so mem Kinda lin be together a
heap"
And freed from all fear Of losing the affec
tions OF the amiable Ben Coffee, Miss Meeks
insisted ON dancing the next set" with me,
and took particular pains 10 introduce me o.
her numerous relations; prominent among
the number was my late antagonist, who Wed
with his sister in cxtravagant congratulation
on my good luck at gaining such a treasure
as Kinda. the fdiler's little ole gall ID.
Barnes In Tire Yankee Blade