The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-16

the hope that hers might be the help.
ing hand to drag him out Of the pit in
which he had chosen to pass his life.
Must you go SO soon, Miss?" Jack.
asked, earnestly, as she announced;
that the lesson was over.
Yes, they will be expecting me at
home"
when can have another lesson?'
The day after tomorrow.
"why not Tomorrow"
"I,should be afraid that people might
talk"
Il see, see, he replied, sadly. And
you don't know, Miss, how thank you
for takin' this interest In me. What
must I do to make myself good enough,
SOS people won't talk when they see US,
together2"
sOur good pastor gave you mankind's
most useful manual to-day. That will
teach you everything"
will it, Miss? Then III learn it all;
by heart.
And you may tell me how much
you've read at our next lesson. Now,
good-evening."
And she offered him her hand.
He looked at her for a moment in
blank surprise, and then said:
mo, Miss; you don know what you're
doin'. My hand amt pure enough to
touch yours-not yet-wait.
I will tai ke it now"
He seized her hand eagerly, though
reverently, and for the first time in his
life used the name Of the Deity other
wise than in the framing Of an oath.
God bless yer, Miss; God bless
yer!"
Then placing bank note in her hand,
with the remark that he would rather
paw as he went along, he left her alone
in the loft, descended to the church,
passed out into the street, and walked
hastily in the direction OF the Little
Casino" :,
After he had gone, Helen examined
her first fee, and gave vent to o scream OF
surprise. 1t was one-nundred-dollar
bill.
Arriving at his place of business, Jack
was received with shouts Of drisive
laughter, which continued for some mo-
ments. After it had subsidized, he spoke:
well, what the matter now?"
"Ha, ha, hal" laughed burly gam
bier, we've got yer now, Jack; we've
got yer dead to rights! Amt we boys?'
Yes, yes, sure!" from twenty throats.
Why, what are you driving att?
asked Jack, with flashing eyes, for he
had begun to divine their meaning.
why, we watched We this afternoon
and seen ye sneakin' into the church
with that yaller-haired young helfer al
Hopkins"
Jacks pistol was out in an instant,
and his face grew livid with rage.
Now, listen to me, every one OF yer!
won't explain, because this is no place
to drag her name into. But let me tell
YOU this, and you all know / never give.
q warnin' but once. II one O you mer
ever dares to speak that lady's name IN
my hearin' again, by God, III Kill hin
dead"
There was a lull in the room, and nd
one made any attempt at retort, for il
had long been l-estaoh 1Gc1
that when Jacks pistol was out he
never stopped to handy words. After
glance about the room. to satisfy him.
self that his threat had produced the de.
sired effect, Jack turned coolly to his
head employe.
.How's the game runnin', Shortly"
Illustrate; we win .hree thJusa44d.
Let her go!" calculated Jack, cher.
ily. You don't need me, so III 60
home and do some readin'. Good.
night" And, leaving the saloon, he went
to his room at Mrs. Browns boarding
house, sat in an easy chair, took from
his pocket the Bible given him by Mr'
Sampson, and began to read. He de-
youred the entire book Of Genesis, Or
dered his supper, and spent the next
hour In eating, smoking, and muslne
over the strange history OF the crea-
tion-read for the first time.
six days!" he queried. How could
that be? Now, I've got rock behind
nv bar that was blowed open and a fish
found inside. Professor Smith said that
couldn't a. been made in a million years
Guess I'll have to ask the parson about
that" He passed into the second stage
of Bible reading and did not pause till
he had completed Exodus, when he lii
another cigar and then continued hls
reading. It was not an inspiriting pas.
time to a man of his tastes, but he re.
membered his promise to Helen ano
clung to his task with stolid pertinacity
until the little clock on his table strucl
TWO, WQeu uo uuOiSooo AAbuoS4A 'NAi~
went to bed.
There's one thing I like about the
Bible" he museG before going to sleep
.There's not one word in it agin dealin'
laro bank, and 30 the old game goes
right on just the same as ever
Early next morning he was awakened
By loud knocking at his door, and his
sleepy Come in" was followed by the
entrance Of Sheriff West.
Halo, Sheriff! What's up?"
Il subpoena you to serve on jury
What jury?"
There's q crazy woman at the Court
House, and we've called jury to de-
eide as to her insanity"
What the blazes do know about in
sanity"
"Nothing-neither do the doctors. but
It's the law, and you've got to come.
Tou're called for O. clock, and it's half
past eight now. So hurry up!" And the
representative Of the law disappeared.
Jack growled out grotesque com.
bination of expletives and hurled them
at the laws OF the country which com
PEELED free and independent citizen to
sit upon a jury against his will. But he
dressed himself, swallowed cup of cof-
fee, and hetook himself to the court
room.
AS outlined by the Sheriff, the jury
were to decide upon the sanity or In
| sanity OF an unfortunate woman, and
the case was easily disposed Of. 1t was
mantfestly hopeless one. and without
argument, sne was pronounced insane,
~ 1,,l1 Ia.