Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-05
AN HUMBLE HERO.
1v THOMAS p. MONTFORT-

| QOlQlu OluCe Is, I'LL leliei JSSI las "
do his duty as he sees 1t, no matter
what it costs nor who it pinches."
That's all right, Sam. I amt goin
to have no hard feelin's for no man
lest cause he's doin his duty, an
know that's all you're doin now. I'm
not blamin Squire Beeson neither, fol
! he's not done anything he didn't have
to do. 1t looks like Jim Thorn Is put.
tin himself out right smart, but may
be he feels that he ought to, an any
how amt blamin him neither.
amt blamin nobody"
"Waal. I'm glad you feel that away,
Sim, I'm shore. don't like the way
Jim Thorn done, though, an l ain't
liked the way he's done from the fust.
He was the fust man 10 accuse you OF
that crime"
but you all b'lieved it, Sam, all ex.
cept Pap Sampson an Loueesy."
"Yes, but how could we help 1t?
didn't want to, but you know how ev.
er'thing was ag'in you. Then thar was
the threat you made that day over to
Mis'us Mann's wheatfield an the words
you said to me the last time see you. }"
81 know. Ever'thing's ag'in me. But,
Sam, if l was to sw'ar to you that I'm
innocent would you b'lieve me-?
81 would. Sim. cause l know you'd
never sw'ar to lie"
"Then l sw'ar to you that | never
killed James Melvin. May God help
mew
"Sim Banks" Sam said, from this
minute l b'lieve you innocent. Thar's
my hand on that"
"Thank you" Sim replied. 1T does
me q world Of good to hear you say
that. And now. Sam, I'm ready to 60. u
"All right. Well 60 before Squire
Beeson an let him set the day for your
preliminary hearin. or will you waive
that an wait for the gran jury to act?'
81 dunno. Which will be best?"
"Well. if you waive hearin in the
squire's court you'll have to go to jail
while if you have hearin you mought
git out on bail"
"Then I'll have a hearin, an the
quicker the better. But what you
reckon they'll do with me, Sam?"
81 can't say, Sim, but not much,
hope"
They had reached the door when Pap
Sampson came from another room and
called to Sam.
| is Coro ocl-od
"It's about the man that come with
Sim," Pap replied. "He wants you to
send Squire Beeson an two other men
here"
What for?"
81 don't know. He jest says he
wants 'em, an, though he's so sick this
mornin that he can't set up, he says If
you don't send 'em he'll 60 to the
squire's Office even If he has to crawl
ever foot of the way on his hans an
knees"
Lord. III send 'em, Of course. But
can't make out what on earth he wants
Of 'em. Must want 'em putty partic'.
lar, too. to talk that away"
Seems so. You better send Jason
Roberts an Jake Hicks, guess"
"All right, Pap, I'll send EN-"
AS Sam and Sim walked down the
street the former said:
"Who is that man that come with
you, Sim?"
"He's q feller l got to know in the
army" Sim replied. "He come thar
two or three weeks after me. an he
said his name was Thompson. That's
bout all know bout him."
Don't you know whar he belongs
nor nothin"
"No. He never would speak Of bis
past life nor Of his home nor nothin."
"Humph! That's Quaire, aint it?
eyes. thought it little curious, but
I lowed it wasn't any Of my business
so l never said anything to him bout
It,"
"No, but it quaire. an so is his want,
in the squire an them men. can't
figger it out"
Sim showed but little interest. He
was thinking Of something else. His
mind was on Louisa, the one chief sub
ject Of his thoughts during all the long
four years Of his absence. He was
wondering If he should see her again
now that he was SO near. She had
never believed him guilty. That was
one great comfort. No matter what
his fate. that knowledge would cheer
him even If she held alOof from him in
his hour Of trouble.
At the Squire'S office Sam remained
guarding his prisoner While the squire
and the others went to answer the
summons Of the stranger. Pap Samp.
son, finding himself not needed at
home, came down to be with Sim.
The news of the arrest having
spread, number Of people came to see
Sim. few Of them out of sympathy,
but the greater number out of mere cu'
riosity. Jim Thorn and Mary Mann
We're among the visitors.
Thorn did not say Il word to Sim. but
there was triumphant expression OIL
his face that showed he was highly
gratiied at Sims arrest. He had ney-
er forgotten that blow Sim had given
him. and now, after four years. he was
getting his revenge and getting 1t In
full measure.
Mrs. Mann was equally rs well pleas
cd rs Thorn: but. unlike him, she was
not content to let the expression on her
features show her feelings. Approach
ing quite close to the prisoner, she
said:
I'm glad to see you. Sim Banks, an
to sec you right where you are. l hope
now you're satisfied"
Sim matlp 10 rtAnlY but Sam Morgan