The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-01-30
we're Just talking about you. How's
everything down below?''


everything down below?"
"All right" replied the newcomer.
1.-THE material Ia all up, and Birkmore's
waiting for the word to begin"
That's the talk!" exclaimed the
manager. "Can you find yourway back
TO Prattville to-night?"
"Why, yes, l suppose so--if ] have TO.
I'm dog-tired, though"
well, times precious; guess you'd
better get fresh horse and go. Tell
Birkmore not to lose minute. Is he
fixed to work night gang by electric
light?"
"Yes."
"Good enough! Tell him he can't get
a locomotive into Allacoochee any too
quick to'please us now. Have drink,
and put some cigars in your pocket to
smoke on the way"
When the messenger left the room
Sharpless leaned back in his chair and
put his hands in his pockets. "The
Jethro deal cleans it all up excepting
the title to the Gates tract" he said.
81 suppose we might as well fix that
now as any time. Have you got q blank
deed?'
Fench rummaged in his pockets for
the paper. "Where's Gates deed to
us?" he asked.
Here 1t is" Sharpless said, handing
it across the table. Better change the
wording a little, so it won't look sus-
picious."
"You let me alone for that"
Fench wrote rapidly for few mo,
ments, pausing when he came to the
date. snake 1t about May 20, 1885"
The lawyer made rapid calculation
in dates. Eyes, that'll do. AS nearly
as can locate it, the raid on the moon
sinners was made in June or July OF
that year; tin be safe enough to call il
the Goth of May"
Fench went on writing, and presently
handed the two deeds TO Sharpless
How will that do?"
That's about It," replied the attor
ney. II wonder If the old moonshinel
would recognize his signature?"
"I'd risk II. What are you going &c
do about the notary's aclnowledg
ment?"
"I'll fix that. I've been making my
self solid with an old fellow across thu
street who calls himself lawyer. HI
doesn't know enough about the law to
hurt him, but he is notary public
He'll do it-~for a consideratiop--and ht
won't be too particular about the exac
date"
rs it safe to trust him."
81 don't mean to make the expert
ment; I shnll simply tell him that Cate'
has had this deed kicking about TIT
house all these years without having i
recorded"
ooh, that's the scheme, is ito" sal,
Fench, screwing up one eye until al
the craftiness in both seemed to pee
out of the other. "Give me that deed
minute"
He went to the fireplace, and, taking
pinch of SCOT, rubbed it into his hand
until they were black and grimy. Thel
he folded and crumpled the deed unit
it had the requisite appearance of ag
and i'll usage,
you're an artist, Fench!" was tn
lawyers admiring comment when th
paper was handed back for inspection
Nobody will ever suspect now that
isn't as old as IL claims to be. Wonde
if could find old Squire Pragmore tc
night?"
Perhaps" said the manager, wasf
ing the CRIME from his hands. "Whil
you're hunting him I'll write to Ne'
York"
Sharpless came back in a few mil
utes and threw the forged deed on tn
table.
That's settled" he said. when it
recorded well destroy it"
ibid Pragmore object?' inquire
.. Fench, looking up from his letter.
"He baked little at first, but L,
given him lot Of business in the 10.
Two weeks, and $50 fee was too niue
for him"
A week later Lawyer Sharpless Gale
at Judge Wilkinson's Office in the cour