The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1903-11-06
CHAPTER XXIII.1(Continued.)


The Major sent a dispatch to the
governor and then went to the county
clerks office where he found the hard
ware dealer and a number of men
waiting for him. The report that he
was charged with serious news was
already spread about; and when he
entered, the clerk of the county court.
an old fellow with an ink-blot on his
bald head, came forward with an in
Quiry as to what had been meant
when the Major spoke of the cart
ridges. The Major explained his cause
for alarm. Then followed a brief ST.
lence. and then the old fellow who
kept the records of the frosts and the
clock, spoke up with the assertion
that for some time he had expected
II. BILLY" he said, speaking to the
clerk. 81 told you the other day that
we were going to have trouble mighty
soon, Don't you recollect?"
Don't believe l do, Uncle Parker"
But | said so as sure as you are
standing there this minute. Let me
try a little of your tobacco" The
clerk handed him a plug, and biting
off a chew, the old man continued:
Eyes, sir, I've had it in mind for a
long time"
Everybody has talked more or less
about it," said the clerk.
'Oh, | know they have, Billy, but
not p'intedly, as | have. Yes, sir,
bound to come
1.-The thing to do is to over-awe
Them said the Major. Il have just
telegraphed the governor to send the
militia down here. And by the way,
that fellow Mayo ought to be arrested
without delay. Billy, is the sheriff in
his Officer"
mo, Major, he's gone down to Sas-
safras to break up a gang of negro
toughs that have opened a gambling
den. He'll be back this evening and
I'll have the warrant ready for him
by the time he gets back. Any of us
can swear it out-reckon all our names
bettcf go to it,"
YES" the Major agreed, wed bet
ter observe the formalities of the law.
The militia will undo all that has been
done, and as for the ellow that
brought about the inquietude, Wen
Old man Parker, who kept the rec
ords, nudged his neighbor and said:
"Inquietude is the word. | told my
wife last night, says l, Nancy, when
ever you wan the right word, go to
John Cranceford,' That's what | said,
Major; INT | might have said go to
your father il he was alive, for he
stood way up among the pictures,
tell you; mi | reckon | knowd him as
well as any man in the county. l
ricollect his duel with Dabney."
"He was to have fought a man nam
ed Anderson Green" replied the Ma
jor, but a compromise was effected"
YES" said Parker, Green's the
man | was tryin' to think of. 1t was
Shelton that fought Dabney."
Shelton fought Whitesides," said
the Major.
The men began to litter. "Well,
then. who was it fought Dabney?"
Never heard of Debney," the Ma
jor answered.
well, | have, and somebody fought
him, but it makes no difference, So,
in your fathers case a compromise
was effected. The right word again;
and that's what makes me say to my
wife, Nancy, whenever you want the
right word go to John C%ranceford;
and, as l said a while ago, your ia
Their either, for / knowd him as we'll
as any man, and was present at the
time he bought a iat-boat niger nam
ed Pratt Boyce."
my father was once forced to sell,
but he never bought a negro" the Ma
jor replied.
THAT so? Well, now. who was 1t
bought Pratt Boyce? You fellers shut
up your snortin.' | reckon l know
what I'm talkin' about"