The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-02-12
of township assessor.


and adjusting his glasses.
His visitor was sturdy, brown. faced
girl OF fourteen, with fluffy, black hair,
bright eyes, and a resolute mouth. She
was very self.contained in her manner,
and, while there was no resentment in
her composition, it was evident that she
was one who would stand up for her
rights.
"What do you waut?' asked the
Squire.
"Law,' was the crisp reply, where
upon the Squire struggled to repress a
smile.
81 want my pony!" the girl added.
"1our pony!' repeated the Squire.
81 haven't got your pony. Why do
you come TO mc?"
"Iou'rc the Squire, arc you not?" the
girl asked. "My pony was stolen last
fall. The gypsics have her in their
camp at Cove Creek. l saw her there
this morning."
Squire Barlow suddenly became inter-
cstcd in the face, voice and positive ways
OF his young visitor.
"What is your namc?" he asked.
"Rosic Watson, sir" she said.
go, You are the backsmith's dauph
ter observed the Squire. "Yes, l re-
member you now. Well, why didn't
your father Gomez
"lt's my pony" the girl said. "And
my-my-casc."
EYES," admitted the Squire. He
laughed softly to himself, spread out his
official docket, and made few entries.
'1ou saw your pony this morningi' he
a kcd.
eyes, sir. At Cove Creek, By the
covered bridge, just outside the gypsy
camp. She was grazing on the banks OF
the stream stated Rosie.
'PonieJ may look very much alike"
suggested the Squire.
'Ah, but I'd know Dollic among
thousand ponies," declared Rose, her
brown face aglow. "Shc's dark bay,
with black points, star on her fore
head, white fctlocks, and faint dash of
white OF her breast"
The Squire was busy writing. He
stopped and read aloud to her the COM
plaint and the desert ption.
''Can u'add anythingT' asked Rosie.
''sS VI SOuiSS, Iiltic uC REPLICA
tho Squire, in his fatheriy way.
"Ihcn add" suggested Rosie, "that
the pony is ten hands high"
That was promptly interlincd, and
then the Squire gravely asked: "Rose
can you swear that you know the pony
to be yours, and that you believe the
gypsics have her?'
eyes, sir, can, )" Rosie said deter.
mnedly, and without moments hesi-
tatlon.
''Takc this book" the Squire said.
cit IS the Holy Bible. Suppose YOU
swore to what is not truc2"
~ would be n perjurer," was Rosie's
answer.
"And what would be the conse.
qucncc?"
"My soul would be lost, unless God
forgayc me the dreadful sim"
eyes, child" the Squire said, with
molstcncd eyes. "You seem to know
what you are about"
lie administered the oath, and then said
kiss the book"
She looked ut him with wondering
glance, and then pressed her lips to the
book i'll IN awed, rcverental manner.
'What will it cost2" she asked, in
her matter-o of fact way.
''Don't bother your head about the
cost" the Squire said. "Wait II bit," he
added, seeing that she WIS about to 20.
He hurriclly filed up blank summons,
folded it, handed it to her and said: "I
suppose you know where Constable Finn
livcs?'
so, yes" replied Rosie.
"Takc that to him mt once" the Squire
said. "lt is warrant for the head
gypsy's arrest. The hearing will be held
ut 2 o'clock this afternoon. AS you are
the complainant, you must be present at
that hour"
The time and circumstances of the
hearing were noiscd about the village,
and when 2 o'clock came, the Sauire's
Office was crowded. The gypsy sat on
rough bench, with an unlighted clay
pipe III his mouth. He was dirty, un
shavcn, sullcn looking. He did not
wear vest, and his corduroy breeches
weic fastened ut the waist by a greasy
Icithern belt, behind which the haft of a
knife was visible.
"Ihc plaintiff here, this little girl,
claims that you have a pony which be-
longs to her." Squire Blrlow said, his
eyes on the gypsy, who replied:
''Shc hasn't any CAIN en- it. 1t is
mine"
"Wherc did you get the pony9" asked
the Squire.
81 bought her in Michigan" said tho
man.
"Wben?'
"Thrce years ago.
1t was such bold lie that Rosie's face
famed with indignation.
"Shc gives a very minute description
of the pony reminded the Squire.
"Therc are plenty of dark bay ponies,
ten hands high, and sla5bcl with white"
was the mans dogged reply. "Auybody
could look Mt her across n fence and then
describe her." he added with grin.
"Thc girl must bring better proof before
I'll surrender the pony"