Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-04-01
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years, II would scarcely be wise. he 10
so infirm and fanciful. Then, as the real
party in interest, his testimony ii tho
laws eye would be tainted, though We
and everybody know it would be gospel
truth. If can manage to get the case
put over two terms or three-well, my
dear, think settlement will be mighty
near in sight.
Nobody in Walnut Greek dreamed Of
questioning that Judge Graball ran
things legal pretty much to. suit him.
self. So Rob was reasonably content as
she sat at Mrs. Payne's side and took
noto of Mr. Howell, who, she had heard,
was now firmly engaged to Miss Wins
fold. And Mrs. Winfield, her gossips
had assured her, said over it: II really
was mighty sorry fer Jack Talbot, pore
fellowl But, then, Alice never had, rs
you might say, incouridged him. Her
goin erbout with him had been mostly
because his mother was so insistent
Alice never had tho least idear. Of him
as er husband, though he wanted her
bad, so bad she did but hope he wouldn't
go an take ter drink over not gittin
her. But no girl couldn't, not ef she
had been we'll raised, think er ,missin
sech er chance hs Mr.. Howell. Why, II
would be fyin in the face or Providence
an trother both. Brother never did IN.
vor Jack Talbot an was Jest delighted
over Alice's Engagement. OF co'se hd
had never let OH ter the Talbots how he
felt-he couldn't, not Oh account OF the
sto' an them workin so many niggers-s
but fer my part I was glad ter let out
things. was SO tired er bein perlite
Jest from the teeth. An then ter think
what er romants it was-Mr. Howell
fallin IN love the very minute he saw,
Alicel Sech er compliment Now. ef
only Ninesy done US we'll in marryin-
she couldn't noways do no better-,l
wouldn't have nothin more ter wiah fer
this side or heaven" ..,,.
Memory Of it all brought q shadowy
dimple to lurk about Rob's mouth ss
she sat serenely facing her cnemies in
court. Mr.. Topmark had come in. but
did not glance her way. He held stonily
aloof, too, from Magnolia, though he m:
swcred with a constrained greeting
when Noch called jauntily across I'd
him. He looked i'll and worn indeed.
The wrinkles below the jaw we're deep
er and his hard, shiny skin unwhole-
somely red. Rob saw him look eagerly
at the line Of huddled blacks at tho
back Of the courtroom. Something. she
knew not what, moved her to let her
eyes also rest there. To her ama1ement,
she saw Aunt Phemy sitting primly
apart and leaning upon her crotohed
stick till her face was half hidden.
Until the week before court sat Judg6
Graball had held to the comforting be.
lief of his world as to his own potency
in legal affairs. Then suddenly he was
made aware that all elective judiciary
sometimes takes account Of more things
than enter into strictly legal pre dure.
Judge Waxem of the honora' q court
was candidate for reelection, and his
only dangerous competitor was peculiar
ly strong in Walnut CreekAWalnut
Creek, which cast 400 votes, 250 OF
which were safely controlled by Mr.!
Topmark. All through heated canvass
that gentleman had sat inpartially on
the fence, but at the eleventh hour he
gave out that, 'cordin ter his way or
seein things, Judge Waxem come nearer
doin right'n any new man could be
looked ter hit it, an Waxem'd have his
yoto nv, iOHooapce Shbre ~
So, when the case of Tubbs versus
McGregor came up, Judge Graball was
not astonishcd to find that the plaintiffs
most serviceable attorney sat in the place
Of Judgment Do what Graball might.
things went at railroad speed. Motions
were denied, oyerruled, set at naught.
until he became so Gcfiantly and impa.
IDENTIFY cheerful those who understood.
him best felt his case was hopeless, for
in the most desperate cases his air OF
confidence became something superhu.
man. More than once it had carried tho
jury his way in the face of law and evi;
dence. But juries are never candidates.
needing to regard the sun, the winds, Of
popular favor. The moro Graball ma;
neuvered tho more finty hard grew
Judge Waxem's s face. ....,r
The case had been called in the early
afternoon. Itstill lacked hours of night.
fall. Mr. Graball was on his feet speak.
ing against time, indeed, when the Judge.
presiding. who had listened with III ali,
of polite fatigue, US ono who. tolerates
another's babble solely from self ro-.
spect, yawned behind his hand, then
began to say: ,
Gas you have nothing to offer beyond
adverse possession, Judge Graball.
think we had as we'll not waste more,
time. MI. Clerk, enter judgment for
A stir about the door startled him in.
TO pausing breath's space. Before he
could go on there was hubbub that a.
lenced him. An old woman, hatohet'
faced, weazenedt. Bent, with skin like,
brown parchment below thatch Of stiff
gray hair, was half leading, half dag:
ging, tall figure up the aisle toward
the bar. At the rail they stopped short.1
The long figure painfully straightened'
i.eelf aud said in : husky wkisce-.
fro BIZ coN1:NUEp.]