The Lamar register., 1903-09-16


posed to prevent further unpleasant
ness. Lets hev ct ct once"
"Et's bout Johnsing. of course"
Smith said, solemnly. TT all pears
ter be bout Johnsing. A shef'less, no
count critter ennyhow."
Never mind bout thet." Jones said,
seeing Lodie turn his big black eyes
from the fire to the face of the speak
er. ''Johnsing is havin' all he ken
we'll carry 'thout our sayin' hyard
thengs bout hem. Let's hev yer story,
Tom.
well. when l was done seein' ther
doctors an ther wimmen,' Smith con-
tinned, let ther judges house. what
young Green sent me ter see. went
over ter Scrubb's on ther corner
opp'sit ther court house where some
o ther fellers was. One O. ther men
thar got ter talkin pretty free bout
ther trial an ther lamin' an ther hull
b'isness. an one o. ther others sed ter
him thet he'd best keep civil tongue
in his head bout thet Johnsing an his
gal, fer ct seems thet Lem Johnsing-
him thet lett hyar many year ago
hev KEN back ter see his brother.
an has been askin' news o. him. an
Is a-findin' out all he ken bout him.
an special bout thet gal o. hisn. Et
seems he hev got his darter with him
an she hev took farncy ter thet
gal o Johnsing's from ther first what
she hev heard all from ther judges
son. An cts KEN out thet thyes goin
ter kerry her way up Moth ter ther
big city when tneys go. an eddicate
her an make a lady o her. An Lem.
he hev heap o money. they says
over yonder. an he an ther jedge's
struck up a powerful friendship thet
may. they lowed. mebby prove a
benefit ter Johnsing in many ways,
but most special in a way t ives all
know"
"Et pears queer how thengs KEN
round" Sadler said. meditatively, but
Lem Johnsing alays did hev more
grit n most of 'em. Theys a shef'less.
no count set ennyhow. 'ceptin' him,
an ther gal worse n most
Look a-hyar. Sadler.' I.odie said,
slowly-Dolores could not have
spoken slower. "Et's bein' worse'n
ther beastie ter hit a man when he's
down. special when yer know he kyan't
live long ter bother nobody. Eff
theys get hem over ter ther town
alive etll be more'ni reckon. An
more'n thet he may be dead or a-dyin'
thes minnet while ives what call our.
selves his friends be talkin' o him
names an sayin' onltind thengs bout
hem. Hem an his gal has 'nough ter
thenk of 'thout we uns heapin' on ner
an him lot o hyard thengs t amt
all true or kind. How'd ye like ther
same bout ye. or yer gal, Sadler?"
The fire died down on the hearth
until only glowing heap of ashes re-
NAMED. The rain and wind sobbed
outside at the doors and windows,
swaying the creaking sign at the door
post. Suddenly the low door was
thrown open. letting in a gust of
hoarse east wind and showers of rain
and sleet. and out of this like a wreath
of the storm. tall. grave-faced, drench-
ed to the skin, young Green stood in
their midst.
He closed the door and advanced
toward the fire, removing his hat as
he did so.
Jones arose at once. Jones was
always ready for business; the judges
son would pay well. no doubt; he
should have the best in the house.
The other men retained their positions
and regarded the newcomer with no
/ friendly eyes.
"A powerful bad storm. jedge," said
Jones. good-naturedly. KEN right
, up hyar by ther fire. an get ye dry"
Yes" Green said, pleasantly, quick
to note the sullen aspect of the men
around the fire. ITS a night to make
one glad of fire and shelter. Have
| you place for me tonight. Jones?
''Sartain. jedge. Wes alays place
fer ye an a plate an mug. Ye shall
hev snohin' supper ter sort O.