The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-06

8 to the people, VINO i've Ehe 1901 anu
on the face OF the mountains than TO pc
President of the United States.
There, was. no warrant trial or monthly
,onl,,t ait which Dave was not on hand
and always much in presence. His horse
Dick was a roam of the famous stock
of the Renfro roans, of which every
body has heard who ever heard OF the
county of Franklin. Dick was pure
roam with the exception of a white star
in his forehead His master never hitched
h;m-and to look ait Dick as he stood
with a;pooping head deeply swayed back.
,i1eavfM slcping bones, visible ribS and
hip bones and tail that the calves had
chewesd off. one would have Thought
that no horse in the crowd promised so
little, but, tor all that, Dick was a
Beanerges when The occasion demanded.
Dawes many trades brought him into
debt. Suits were brought and judgments
given against him. In those days the
body of the debtor was subject to arrest
and lodgnegnt in Jail In default of pay
ment. This confinement would have
been uncomfortable to free spirit like
Dawes and the countryside was full OF
stories of the many escapes made by
Dave on Dick from the sherit ana ms
myrmidons. The law did not permit the
sheriff of Franklin to serve warrant
in Flovd the neighboring county, until
approved by a Floyd justice. and this
requirement. elltailed so many practical
difficulties that the Sheriff rarely ever
attempted it. Dave knew this. and TO
avoid trouble built himself a house on the
ton of the Blue Ridge, just over the
line The. east side of the house was IN
Franklin, the west in Floyd.
Dave was not content to frequent
warrant trials and other places of public
resort: he must needs also go to the
courthouse on court-days. He knew
that the Sheriff would not arrest him
before midday, because that custom OF
exemption to criminals OF MS class untll
u O'Clock had been long established,
and no officer would dare violate it. So
among the very first Dave would put
in his appearance at the courthouse on
court-day. People knew what was going
to happen after Il O'Clock, and there was
an air of suppressed excitement in the
crowd, which grew more and more intense
as the day advanced Dave would amuse
himself with his friends until about half
past III o'clock; then he would mount
Dick ride UP to the principal grog-shop,
which faced on Main Street, dismount,
leave Dick standing at the door. and
after providing himself with a bottle Of
brandy commence drinking.
Meantime. the Sheriff was summoning
his posse of horse and foot. He had no
difficulty for everybody wanted to serve,
and none more than we large ,schoo-Doys,
who before that time had broken out
of bounds, despite the efforts of the
SclLool-maSter.
The Sheriff drew UP his foot on the
opposite side of the street and formed
his horse i'm the street above and below
the groS-shop.
About minutes to IL o'clock Dave
emerged. reeling from side to side, and
mounted Dick, who seemed TO jbe still
asleep, but, when the word was given,
and the infantry rushed Ito THE attack
with a wild shout, Dicks ears rose, his
eyes blazed, and with tooth and aoof he
repealed the attack of his masters as
sailants. Freeing himself from the foot
The charged at full speed upon the horse.
There was a wild tlI1nult-horses and
men i'm a struggle,in which some horse
and rider We're occasionally seen to go
down under the5sresistlesS charge of
Dick. Presently Dick and his rider emery
ed from the trunuH, aSi they always did,
and then it was a tail race. The road
led through lane fanked by heavy
fences. The chase was in full sight of the
crowd Dave and Dick in the dead, the
posse squirting after. and so the race
continued until Dick spied some lower
panel lin the fence, which he made for
and cleared at a flying leap; at which
there was a mighty shout from the
crowd for they knew Dave was safe and
their sympatllies were all with him.
The chase led across country for mile
on two and then struck THE road which
led on TO Dawes house, 10 miles away.
Dave Kept in sight so as to toll on mis-
pursuers like school boys at prisoners
base until near home. when he would push
ahead. Reaching home he would say TO
his wife: .'Old woman, there Will be q
lot of folks here to get supper and beds
for.-Furry up" Standing on the Floyd
side of his house, he would most hosp-
tably welcome the Sheriff and glis posse
to the Franklin side Soon a bounteous
supper would be spread on table which
stretched along the passage, leaving
Dave i'm safety on the Floyd side and the
Sheriff and his posse on the Franklin
side Supper disposed Of applejack was
supplied in unlimited quantities. and, in
due time cards for. a social game of sew
en,.p.
In time Dick died and Dave got old
He appeared at the Courthouse, paid
all his debts and lived after ITO "a green
old age, respected and loved by his
neighbors.
cONGPEcc 0E MOTHERS