Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-04-08
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
''The McGregor lawyer, whar's he?
I'm er Witness" the man said in the
same awful whisper.
lawfully summonsed, are you?" the
judge asked, with all the dignity he
could muster. Mr.. Graball had darted
at the newcomer. Now he lifted his
head and shook it at the honorable
court, saying TRANQUILITY: "Unsummons-
ed, Judge, and therefore likely to tell
the truth. 1t is proverbial in all wars
that one volunteer is worth couple Of
drafted men,"
"Lemme kiss the book-1 amt got
much time-then gimme whisky" the
man gasped, beginning to totter. AS he
was set in chair, with one of q dozen
offered TASKS to his mouth, Noch Annis
again made to sneak away. He had been
going gray and white ever since the
man came in, with fire back OF tho
Rrayness that hinted of dreadful things.
A hush fell over the room. The air OF it
seemed to draw in and out with tho
breathing of those who sat watching this
startling climax Of social drama.
Holding out the Bible he had just
kissed, tho stranger went on "Tho
whole truth, nothin but the truthful
tell that. Iain't no legal witness. Hear,
erybody-I'm er convict; jail's in
wait fer me- But NANNY knows too.
She greed ter let me say fust. because
well, because jest wanter, an-an l
nin't got much time"
"This is most extraordinary, but Of
course the honorable court will not lose
its valuable time over such rawlings"
Mr.. Howell said loftily. Instantly there
was surge through the courtroom and
deep cries. eyes, the court willl'
Judge Waxem had been on the point
of declaring court adjourned, but he
was far too wary to set himself thus
against his populace.
"The court will hear, then pass on
the admissibility Of the evidence he
said, with a bow to the voting element.
1t was neither law nor practice, but he
knew his public and had no mind to
balk it, with election but two weeks
ahead. Every body was standing, the bet
ter to see and hear. At first they caught
hardly a syllable. The newcomers
husky voice made but the merest rustic
of sound through tho silence.
NANNY knows we'll as me-, he was
saying. "She tried ter raise me honest.
My names Jim Hinsley, an Pm gran
son ter old Naomi Fickins, same as
that po' gal thar. Nanny married fust
al never went ter the Eelanoy, but she
knows how her nanny signed the land
erway because of er speckled heifer -
ooh, daddy was right!' Rob whis-
pered to Mrs. Payne, then bent eagerly
forward. Tho man was saying in still
that whistling, husky tone, 1--WE lived
in Upton county, er fur piece from
yere, but Magnolyer, po' gal, come thar
ter see US when her nanny died, an
thar this yere scoundrel, Noch Annis,
come with 'er, maxim out they was mar
ried, though she wa MT hardly To-"
Magnolia's face went down in her
hand. Noch caught her roughly and
jerked her upright, then made for
ward leap and locked his hands about
the other mans throat, roaring out:
"Jailbird, how dar' you come yere
talkin over other folks privit corn
cerns?"
"Be quiet, my mani I'd hate ter
handcuff you before the time" Deputy
Sheriff Reed said, forcing him back.
Hinsley was coughing fearfully. He
drank more whisky and went on:
II was crazy ter marry, too, then. l
had Jest met up with my Betty; hadn't
er been fer that mought not or be-
lieved Noch so easy when he tole me
what er fine thing stealth horses was
He had er gang, he said. Eff I'd jlne
'en, we could make piles or cash, me
er visitin him in Missoury er the Eela-
noy an sellin stock from down our way
an him er doin the same in Tennessee.
So I, foollike, j'ined 'em. Oh, how we
all swore ter help one ernother when
trouble come, eff ever. But when it
come ter me an ernother po' chap they
want fer helpin U.S. We'd done we'll
that season Thar was money ter sheer,
al they thought 'twould 60 better be-
tween jest thar ownselves. But they
give us far words. Besides we want
the sort ter give 'em away"
''This is raving madness, pure luna
cy, and utterly foreign to the case. l
demand that it be stopped" Mr.. How
ell began as the narrator paused to
catch breath. A big fellow, tall and
gaunt, in the front rank of listeners,
set the lawyer down forcibly, saying
dryly:
"Whatever else it is, sub, it's mighty
interestin, an as your friend I'm advis-
in you ter listen ter it an keep still"
go OH, my man." Mr.. Graball said
kindly. He had beckoned Rob to his
side. The strangers eye lit up at sight
of her, but he made no sign that she
was not wholly strange. Clinching one
hand about the other wrist, he went on,
with awful effort:
"They talked help an pardon ter us,
an all the time--I found it out later
they was payin ter--ter have us put
outer the way. That want all neither.