The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-12-09
IER FATHERS victim.
a STOHY OF
WESTERN LIFE
THOMAS P. MONFORT.

v
BY
THOMAS P. MONFORT.
CHAPTER XXI.
TIE SERPENT SHOWS IT'S HEAD AGAIN.
A long time John remained there on
the prairie trying to decide what step
to take next. At first he was inclined
TO 20 back and find the man who had
bought the property, and try to IN
duce him to annul the sale; but he
realized that such step would be use
s less, since it was not probable that the
man would consent to the proposition,
even if he could be found, which was
not likely. Then he could not consent
to surrender the money.
So he put that idea away, and de-
cided to 80 on home. On the morrow
he would go to Mills and tell him OF the
s sale and pay him q portion Of the
money. This seemed like q fair way Of
proceeding, and John had no doubt that
It would be all right with Mills. Hav-
ing come to this conclusion, he felt re-
ieved, and continued his way with less
misgivines.
The next morning John prepared to
return to town to carry out his plan,
and was about to set out from home
when he saw two men approaching.
he soon recognized them as Mills and
Pearson, and with u feeling Of fear and
dread awaited their arrival.
sMr. Green" said Mills, after the
usual salutations, 81 came out to see
you on a little matter Of business. 1
am informed on reliable authority that
you sold your wagon and horses yester-
day. Is such the case?"
sit Is" said John, "and ] was just
starting to your Office to inform you OF
the fact, and make it all right with
you"
Mills smiled rather incredulously at
this statement, and John WINGED under
the expression of the mooey-lender's
sinister eyes.
'sSuch may possibly have been your
intentions, Mr.. Green" Mills replied
doubt;ngly. Il do not pretend to know
what's In your mind. But the fact that
you disposed of the property right at
my Office without saying word to me
about it is rather damaging, to say the
least. It seems to me that you could as
easily have come to me then, as to have
come home and gone back this morning.
The affair looks little suspicious,
sure.''
'sYou don't mean to imply" cried
Green with CLEAN of anger, "that I
pur?osed setting dishonoraoly?"
No, oh no, don't mean to imply
anything am just stating the facts
Of the matter. ! have a perfect right
, to my opinion, though, presume"
s''I suppose you have, but you have no
right TO make any assertions. ac-
knowledge that I did act imprudently,
but / was driven to it. You know what
my situation is, and you ought to be
willing to make some allowances.
However, will now pay you that part
OF the debt for which the horses and
wagon stood as security. and that, ]
suppose, will make the matter all right. !"
s.No, I can't accept such terms. It
would be setting bad precedent for my
customers, and would lead to no end OF
trouble"
''What do you mean to do, then?''
John asked with trepidation.
81 can do but one thing" replied
Mills, 'and that is to let the law take
its course. I suppose you know what
that will lead to-
"Great heavens, man!' John cried,
remember my wife, and show that you
have heart. Would you send me away
TO prison for no crime and kill my poor
wife by the act9 Surely you cannot be
brutal enough to do that"
81 shall not do it, Mr.. Green" Mills
replied coouy. 81 am not the law, and
neither can I answer for the law. You
have placed yourself in the laws grasp
5 and you viii have to abide the conse-
quences-"
s'Can't do anything to satisfy you
and avert this awful fate?" asked John.
s'Not that know Of" said Mills.
ssYou viii have to make your plea to
the court
Mills turned to ride away, but Harry
Pearson, who all this time had kept
quiet, motioned him aside, and for
some time they talked together earn.
estly. Finally they came back to Green,
and Mills said:
'For the present, Mr.. Green, will
let this affair rest, since my friend here
so much desires should. He agrees to
stand responsible for you, and I have
promised to do nothing for few days.
do not know what may be done
eventually, but just now you may rest
quietly. Good day"
Pearson went away with Mills to
avoid Johns thanks, and John returned
to the house greatly relieved by the
turn matters had taken.
Pearson will see me out all right,
ne thought, ''and there will be nothing
more OF it. He will compel Mills to &C
cept the money and remain quiet"
In this reckoning John was correct tc
a certain extent, but he little dreamed
how dearly Pearson meant to charge
for his good Offices.
Two or three days passed and then
Pearson came ogain to John Green's
house John welcomed him with al
his heart and embraced the opportun'
ity to thank him for mis- services rem
dered few days before.
t"It is nothing" Harry protested
nothing at all, Green, to make fuss
over; and yet I'm glad I was able tc
help you. Mills is bad man to deal
with, as have lately discovered, and
am sorry you borrowed that money OF
him. But having got you into his hands
I feel it my duty TO help you out. But
there, Wen let the matter drop. How
is Mrs. Green to-day?"
'She is doing splendidly," said John
Improving rapidly, and if nothing In
"a rn ho~ ,oca cha,0 Snor