Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-21

q fringed mittens hanging
down below the cape of his surtout on either
side fell free from the square shoulders; his
pose firm and his manner ~ prompt and
decisive as that of man of thirty. Yet knew he
had seen more than double that number of
summers and winters. There was something
strangely irreconcilable between the mans Ian
guage and his sppearance-between the repu-
tation which he bore and the spirit he displayed.
Just as he opened the door Harmon called out:
What is that business you have on hand,
Joel?''
Il can wait, said he, looking around, with his
hand stlll on the door knob, IF it not con-
venient."
- suppose I may as well have it over"
answered the LAWYER.
"Ef it won't be troublin' We too much-rve
had a writ served on me-"
You? A writ served on you?" exclaimed the
hwyer. springlng from his chair. who ever
heard Of such a thing, Sued Joel Pike, Who's
been fool enough to do it? You've had tug
with most everybody in the neighborhOod, first
and last, and some outside of It. but never
heard Of anybody suing You before. You've al
ways done that part of the job yourself. What's
IL for?''
The junior partner and the student were all
attention, too.
- 'sault and battery" was the answer.
CRIMINAL
Damages too.
Civil and criminal; WELL that looks like bus
mess. Who've you been fighting? l thought
you'd omit that business since you licked Har-
rington. twenty years ago."
Il had to do that. squire" said tie old man
earnestly, closing the door and turning back
into the room.
.'Oh, no doubt. 1 expect he made some
mighty provoking remarks to you"
1T wasn't that. squire-it wasn't that.
wouldn't have minded anything he could say of
me; but he spoke disrespectfully of-of-a
woman"
You don't take up the defense of the whole
II wouldn't ever hear anybody speak i'll Of
of her
His wife?''
The other did not answer
Yet she hated you worse than poison?"
THAT just shows how good she was: she had
to take sides with one or tother. you know"
You speak as if you thought she could not
do anything wrong.
e. Twas never any secret what 1 thought of
Susan Gedney. squire. Whether she could have
done wrong. amt the matter in question; it's
certain she seldom did-'cordin' to her lights,
that Is
You've heard, 1 suppose, that Harrington
was in the plot to rob you?''
Newer had no doubt of it."
That was the reason he disappeared about
that time. i believe"
Cant say-expect ii WAS"
event into the army. didn't hep asked Rug
gles, who had turned from his desk and was
listening interestedly TO the conversation.
.'Yes." answered the senior went az a sub
stitute-got a thousand dollars and sent it all
home TO his wife-bout the only decent thing
ever knew about HIM i always wondered at
that By the way, Joel, did you ever know
there was some talk about having you up for
his murder?''
shouldn't have been surprised" was the
cool response.
well. there was. Somehow it got out that
there had been an attempt to rob you on your
way home; that he was in it: that you had shot
hun and concealed the body somewhere man
came to me in dead earnest about it. and if
Harrington's wife hadn't received the letter
from her husband when she came into town to
inquire about the matter. I've notion she'd
have sworn out a warrant against YOU
More likely. said the old man. quietly
''She was greatly elated over the letter and
the check especially the letter. / think she
Was positively glad to know that he had man
hood enough to enlist. remember a queer
thing about it. She came here and showed them
To me- The letter didn't contain u word about
money sent. but said he had gone rs a substi-
tute and would send her money-when he drew
ms pay. The check was a cashiers draft paya-
Die to Susan Gedney (Harrington), with the
Harrington IN brackets. She called it to nv
attention and neither of US could imagine any
Just when it did don't know what the neigh
bors would have done if il hadn't"
1T Jest ez well they didn't do anything"
grimly.
i don't see why people have such a spite
against you. Joell'
Il haven't ever spent much money for trum-
pets
10 sound your own praise Ell? believe
you. Besides. you've insisted in living like
hermit and refusing to do what society requires
that every one shall do, who desires its sp-
prevail"
Il had to live my own life and preferred to
do II IN my own way
THAT'S a mistake Joel; one must do as others
do. not AZ he wishes, if he wants to get along in
this world
Il hain't anything to complain of: eff the
neighbors let me alone, III let them alone; I'm
satisfied eff they are
But they aren't satisfied; thew wan. TO know
now you came to own the old Gedney place:
what you paid for it, what became of the
money. and why you live alone instead Of hay
ing wife and family like other folks
They Ii have to keep on wantin. guess
But you know, squire, that Josh Gedney want
no fool"
well, it would seem so; but there was some
thing strange about the matter. for all that"
Said the lawyer thoughtfully
Probably always will be-" was the composed
reply;
"oh, suppose So" retorted the other i'm
Pauenuy; one might as well try TO worm u
secret out Of an oyster"
"A mans got a right, b'leve to keep still
bout his own matters when he don't choose to
speak
well, yes-that's the law. Sit down and lie.
NE see your papers"
The old man took of his mittens. unbuttoned
bus great coat. turned his chair sidewi-e to the
stove, sat down on the edge of it, removed his
hat and took from it a thin package of papers,
which he handed TO the attorney.
The devil exclaimed the senior. glancing
at the Endorsements. ''Of course YOU didn't
do it?''
"'Fraid did" answered the other with a
smile.
you did? What did you hit her with?r
"It was jest - she says there-she wouldn't
Ne
with horse whip"
"Wan-an OK whip"
such thstz'
That's the very oae."
What on earth induced you to do such a
hing when the girl had jilted you, why
odnt you let her alone.''
Perhaps didn't like the company she was
Suppose you didn't. What was that to you?
Joel IKE, for . man Who is credited with COM
mon sense and allowed to go without q guar
oAr you are the mos. unmitigated fool I ever
naw."
II amt pawn you to tell me that" said the
client, sharply. what want Is 70 get YOU TO
appear an In them