Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-12

You can insult man Wnen you
are under arrest" he said, "beca'se you
know I am under bond to keep the
peace. But I'm not afeerd of you"
"They tell me you are afeerd o sper-
its, though" retorted the prisoner.
"They tell me little niger boy that
was shot when passle O. skunks went
to whip his daddy fer vagrancy stands
at the foot O. yore bed ever night. Oh,
| know what I'm talkin' about"
Eyes, you know lots" said the man
sullenly as his eyes fell.
To avoid encouraging the disputants
further Alan walked suddenly away.
The marshal took willing advantage Of
the opportunity and followed him.
Il could make a case agin you." he
said, catching up, but I know you
didn't mean to violate the ordinance"
mo, of course | didn't" said Alan,
"but | want to know II that fellow
could be released if l paid his fine"
"You are not fool enough to do it, are
your"
That's what am"
Have you got the money In yore
pocket?" The officer was laughing, as
if at good joke.
II have"
"Welp'-the marshal laughed again
as he swung his short club round by a
string that fastened it to his wrist
"well. you come with me, an I'll show
you a man that wants $50 wuss than
any man | know of. don't believe Bill
Barrett has slept a wink sence this
thing happened. He'll be tickled to
death to git off so easy. The town has
deviled the life out Of him. He don't
go by whar Poles at work. mean,
whar he amt at work-fer Pole yells
at i'm whenever he sees i'm"
That night when Alan reached home
he sent q servant over to tell Mrs. Ba-
ker that Pole was all right and that
he'd be home soon. He had eaten his
supper and had gone upstairs to 60 to
bed when he heard his name called out
side. Going to a window and looking
out. he recognized Pole Baker stand
ing at the gate in the clear moonlight.
"Alan." he said softly. "come down
heer q minute. | want to see you"
Alan went down and Joined him. For
a moment Pole stood leaning against
the fence. his eyes hidden by his broad
brimmed slouch hat.
Did you want to see me, PoleT Alan
asked.
Yes, | did," the fellow swallowed.
He made q motion as II to reach OUT
his hand, but refrained. Then he looked
straight into Alan's face.
II couldn't 60 to sleep till Ia SAID
some'n' to YOU" he began, with an
other gulp. Il laid down an made
try at it, but it wasn't no go. I've got
to say it. I'm heer to swear that ct
God or some'n' else don't show me
way to pay you back fer what you
done today I'll never draw a satisfied
breath. Alan Bishop, yo're q man-a
man from yore outside skin to the
marrow O. yore bones, an ef ! don't
find some way to prove what ! think
about you I'll jest burn up! I got Into
that trouble as thoughtless as I'd play
a prank with my baby, an then they
all come down on me an begun to try
to drive me like hog outn a Held
with rocks an sticks. an the very old
Harry riz in me an defed 'em.
reckon thar wasn't anything Bill could
do but carry out the law, an I knowed
it, but | wasn't ready to admit 1t.
Then you come along an rendered a
verdict In my favor when you needed
the money you did it with. Alan, eft l
don't show my appreciation 1t III be
beca'se | don't live long enough. You
never axed me but one thing, an that
was to quit drinkin' whisky. I'm goin'
to make a try at it, not beca'se l think
that ID pay you back, but beca'se with
q sober head | kin be better friend to
you eff the chance ever comes my way"
I'm glad to hear you say that,
Pole" replied Alan. greatly moved by
the fellows earnestness. 81 believe
you can do it. Then your wife al J
children
Hang my wife an children!" snort
ed Pole. "It's you I'm goin' to work
fer-you. say"
He suddenly turned through the open
gate and strobe homeward across the
fields. Alan stood looking after him
till his tall form was lost in the hazy
moonlight, and then he went up to his
bed.
Pole entered the open door Of his
cabin and began to undress as he sat
on the side Of his crude bedstead, made
of Embarked poles fastened to the bare
logs in one corner of the room. His
wife and children slept on two beds on
the other side Of the room.
Did you see i'm, PoleY' piped up
Mrs. Baker from the darkness.
"Yes. | seed i'm. Sally, say, whar's
that bottle O. whisky l had the last
time | was at homer"
There was an ominous silence. Out
of it rose the soft breathing Of the chill
dren. Then the woman sighed. "Pole,
shorely you amt a-goin' to begin
agin"
mo; want to bust it into smither-
eens. don't want it about; l don't
want to know thar's drap in the
house. I've swore off, an this time she
sticks. or me that bottle"
Another silence. Suddenly the woman
spoke: "Pole, you've swore off as many
times as a dog has fleas. Often when
| feel bad an sick when you are off, a
drap O whisky makes me feel better.
| don't want you to destroy the Last
bit in the house jest beca'se you've
tuck this turn, that may wear of be-
3d.. ,,Iy,,l,t Tho lo OF fin,o unrI orr1n.