Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-07-30


impressed by the brand. looked puz.
zled.
"Ain't there no more witnesses" he
demanded wearily, and when a mega.
tive ensued he sat thinking.
The clerk spoke out boldly:
MAY 1t please the court. | kin tell
all present how old Judge Rafferty, es'
tablished q precedent In sich a case
as this way back when was young.
ster."
"Go on" said the court, much reliev.
ed.
"'Twas almost EXACTLY like this, v
wheezed the clerk, ''only twas a sor'
rel colt stead of sheep. The parties
had knowed each other for some time.
Twas Ann Hatfield an Samuel Mas
sey as claimed the colt. an there they
stood. the girl lookin' as sassy as you
please ut Massey. She were pretty
girl, though not so much so as Miss
Keep to your argument" said the
court abruptly.
"Well, Rafferty, he couldn't decide,
an says he, No common law kin pint
on this NATTER says he. I kin turn to
the Bible says he. which Is mighty
good code in ITSELF says he, an follow
the example of jeremiah says he-'or
was it IsaiahT-who cut that unfoSnit
baby In two,' says he. I'll just slice
the colt in two,' says he, an give you
each half
"At that Ann she gave q scream, an
her big blue eyes filled up pitiful. You
kain't do that says he.
"'Then,' says Rafferty,, 'we'll do my
way-I'll marry you both out Of hand,
right here says he, 'an' there needn't
be no more disputes over the lamb
colt, l mean-never no more.'"
A faint cheer arose. Miss Hender.
son sprang up.
"I'm going home" she declared
chokingly. Il don't care what be-
comes Of the lamb. I'll never touch
him again. There's my purse" she
added, finging it into the Justices lap
before he could rise. "If I owe any
thing, pay It."
She was In the saddle and galloplng
down the road before the court had
time to recover.
"She's done split real interestin'
case" said the clerk regretfully. TITS
goin' to be throwed out, after all'
Here's the bill of costs. your honor
Mr.. Brownlow will want to pay bis
share"
"Who's goin' to take the darned
lamb?" cried the court. "Nfr. Brown
low, you mout as we'll have him."
81 don't want him." said Herbert
with nearly as much repressed fury as
Miss Henderson had shown.
81 kain't have him here" protested
the alarmed justice. ut amt legal to
leave things OH the courts hands, an
besides, he'll cat all my garden sass
Blast you" he added to the clerk
'Tts all your fault. She didn't like
what you said about that old fool Raf
ferty."
A swift impulse decided Herbert tc
take the fat little creature and dror
him In the Henderson yard.
Meantime Miss Henderson rode
homeward, quite unconscious that she
was an object Of interest to two vii
lainous looking horsemen who were
passing that way after leaving the last
town by request.
Not till their hands were on her reins
did she realize her peril, and, strange
to say, her cry for help was In Her
bert's name. Riding just Above her
In the defile where he had first captur-
ed Billy, lie heard her voice and came
down OH the maraudcrs.
Before the impetus of Brownlow's
horse the nearest thief went down,
broncho and all. The other showed
fight, and q brisk exchange Of shots
took place, but when the fallen one
regained his horse aud fled the braver
rogue followed suit.
Sobbing with relief, Miss Henderson
turned gratefully to her rescuer. who
sat stitfiy in his saddle, now clasping
Billy across his broad chest.
"IIow generous and brave" she cried
eagerly. Il have been hOrrid to you.
1 lust wanted to make you uncomfort-
able and
every WE'LL" said her escort hoarsely
and curtly. "Shall we ride On?"
Miss Henderson complied. Under the