The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-03-08
SQUIRE HOUSTON, {.
Sheriff of RedstOue.

pain as anytnlnR.
"Do you like secrets ?"
"No."
Believe in fairies ?" she asked.
No answer.
Wishing to impress upon hin that
her contrltion was complete, the child
came and leaned against the chair.
like yOu," said the child coaxingly.
Il like your big. black eyes, and your
nice mouth, and your white teeth, and
-and-and-" Here she pulled his
coatsleeve down as far as it would 90,
but not being satisfied with the result,
she covered the band Of glittering
steel with fold OF her dress, and then
continued And your strong brown
bands. Won't you please tell me a
story ?"
Peosons in extreme positions are
prone to good resolutions, and this
man resolved to quit the world better
for at least one action, though it be so
small matter as telling story to en-
tertain u child. Yes" be said with
an effort. " Listen"
lie looked at the letter in his mana
cled hand, then at the little girl rs she
twined her fingers around his. Then
he told her this story in q husky, inn
pressive voice:
"Oncc there was q little bow-legg ed
old man, all gray-haired and humpback-
ed, asked a little girl for u drink of
water and she got it for him, just IS
nice as you please. And then he asked
her If she wouldn't like to get pre-
sent, and she said yes, If it didn't cost
anything. And then t1e little old
man laughed and laughed and laughed.
Then he told her who he was, that he
was the king Of the fairies, and if she
wanted to get a present she was to do
just as he said. So he told her how to
send letter to the fairies. She mustn't
say word about it to anyone, but
early in the morning she was to write
her wish take three steps backward
and three forward, and then go out
and cut hazel switch. Then she was
to find tree that had been struck by
lightning, and II there was horse
tied there she WAS to 60 up to him
from the right side and place her let
ter gently, but very snug and tight,
under the saddle girth. After doing
this she was to take the stirrups OH
the saddle and hide them in the mol
low tree. Now she must pat the horse
on the nose, and when he put down his
head she was to tuck his ears back,
far back, under the headstall, so he
couldn't hear any evil spirits calling
to him. Then she was to unbuckle
the reins at the bit, lead the horse to
the road, and turc his head to the sun
rise, where all the fairies live. Last
Of all, she must hit him right hard
with n hazel switch and say, Good
times never last, bad news travels fast,
and the horse would gallop of as fast
IS he could TO the fairies.
so the little girl did just as the
w-legged Oid man he'd told her, and
what do you think? Why, it wasn't u
year afterward till she got her pre-
sent, which was a great big beautiful
doll, with green eyes and red hair and
u pug nose, and it had on leather shoes
with real laces, and new calico dress,
with polka dots in it as big as wal.
nuts
If the child had had any doubts as
to the truth OF the story, its climax
thoroughly dispelled them. Her eyes
were wide open with astonishment for
awhile ; then she closed them to let
her Imagination draw a better picture
of the wonderful doll. Presently she
said ~ know where there's a tree
that's been struck by lightning"
The man seemed much surprised.
And I'm going to try it," she said,
determinedly.
Try what ?"
Sending letter to tho fairies. But
[ amt got no letter. Maybe If take
yours it'll do.
He sought to dissuade her, but she
took the letter from him and hid it in
her sleeve. He watched her take
three steps backward, then three for
ward, and heard her call to him from
the door Do you reckon III really
find Il horse down there tied to q
tree?'
But the man made . no reply'
Several hours afterward ShcriM
Houston, his two deputies, and the
manacled prisoner, were standing in
the shade Of large hickory.
There's no need Of II trial, Squire" ,"
insisted one of the deputies. rs he un
twisted coil OF rope. You caught
the man in the act Yourself and he
don't deny it, so that's all there is to
1t. Let's get through as soon % we
can I've got five miles to go to din
ncr."
~ .et the law take its COURSE" said
tho Shcrl, gravely. But before
carrying cut the law the court will
state the facts In the case, which are
these, to wit: That late last night, or
worry early this morning, this court
hau occasion 10 go 10 us Darn that 1t
saw q man light a match and lay hold
Of certain horse, which horse is a
blue roam, and the special pride and
property OF this said court that this
court drew its weapon and apprc-
hended said man as q horse thiei ; and
| finally, that this said man, apprchond-
ed by this said court, is here identified
| as the prisoner at the bar.
Now, gentlemen, the prisoner re-
| fuses to speak, which is his privilege
but the court asks you to review the
evidence. Is an honest man afraid tC
| tell his name, where he lives or where
he was going? Is an honest man
caught at midnight in stranger's
barn Does an honest man ride nc
horse, have no dust on his shoes, and
yet wear q spur on his heel? The court
thinks not. For the last time, Mr.
Prisoner, the court asks your name"
No answer.
g For the last time the court asks
whore you live :"
No answer.
Have you anything to say as tt
why this court should not pass sentence
upon you 2'
The prisoner raised his head, an(
looking the Sheriff squarely in the eve
answered mo"
Fr