Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-09-04
hem mossbacks tales to make 'em

them mossbacks tales to make ZEN
laugh"
well eff you ever git into any trou
BILE let me know" said Trabue as he
rose to go. III defend you at hall
price. You'd be sight O. help to
lawyer. I'll be hanged If ever seed
better case an you made out In the
mayors court, an you hadn't a thing
to back it up with nuther."
The hay was unloaded and the wag
ons driven away. Fincher stood eyine
Pole with admiration. Its a fact,
he said. you could "a made some'n
out O. yore'se'f If you'd "a been edu
Gated an had a showin'."
Pole jerked his thumb over bis shoul
der at Craig. who was standing in the
front door looking out into the street
Everybody don't git a fair shown II
this world. Mr.. Flncher." he said
That man Craig hain't been treated
right"
The jovial expression died out Of the
merchants face. and he leaned against
the door jamb.
"You are right thar" he said-"dead
right. He's been mighty unlucky and
bad treated"
Pole grasped the brim Of his massive
hat aud drew it from his shaggy head
1T makes me 80 all fired mad some
times, Mr.. Fincher, to heer folks a-run
min that man down that | want to
fight. amt no religious man myse'f
but | respect one, an I've always pu,
him down in my book as good man.
"So've l." said the merchant, and ne
looked toward the subject Of theiI
conversation and called out Craig
oh, Craig. come back heer minute"
Pole put on his hat and stared at the
ground. He made gesture as If OF
protest. but refrained from speaking.
What's wanted" Craig came down
to them. He was smoking cigar and
wore a comfortable look, as II he had
been fighting hard but successful
fight and now heard only random shots
ITOm uetluS eueLuy.
"You amt q candidate fer Office, "
laughed Fincher, "but nearly all men
like to know they've got friends. THIS
chap beers been standin' up fer you
He says it makes him mao to hear
folks talk agin you."
"Oh. it's Bakerw exclaimed the ex'
banker. shaking hands with Pole and
beaming on him. "Well, don't know
a man I'd rather have for a friend, u
he said smoothly.
Pole tossed his head and looked
straight into the speakers eye. "Pm
fer human justice. Mr.. Craig" he said
"an' don't think folks has treated you
right. What man is thar that don't
now an then make mistakes. sir
You've always had means. an l never
was anything but pore mountain boy
but I've always looked on you as d
good man, a law abidin' man, an
don't like to heer folks try to blame
you fer what another man done. When
you had plenty. never come nigh you
beca'se l knowed you belonged to one
life an me another. but now you are
fat O. yore back, sir. I'm yore friend"
CraIgs face beamed. he pulled hia
beard; his eyes danced.
"I'm glad there are men in the world
like you, Baker" he said. 81 say I'm
glad, and I mean It,"
Fincher had begun to look over the
figures in his book and walked to the
front.
"Oh, my friendship amt wuth moth
in'," said Pole. II know that. I never
was IN the shape to hep nobody. but
know when a mans treated right or
wrong"
"Well, If you ever need assistance
and l can help you. don't fail to call
on me-" Craig spoke with tone Of
sincerity.
Pole took a deep breath and lowered
his voice, glancing cautiously into the
house, as IL fearful of being overheard.
"Well, | do need advice. Mr.. Craig"
he said-"not money nor nothin' ex-
pensive. But I've laid awake night
after night wishin' at l could run on
some man Of experience that l could
ak fer advice an that could trust.
Mr.. Craig, I'll be blamed ef l don't
feel like tellin' you some'n' that never
has passed my lips"
Craig stared in interested astonish-
ment. "Well. you can trust me. Ba-
ker." he said. land. If can advise you.
why. Ill do it with pleasure"
There was a cotton compress near
by, with it's vast sheds and platforms,
and Pole looked at 1t steadily. He
thrust his hand into his pants pocket
and kept 1t there for a full minute;
then he shook his head. drew out his
hand and said: Il reckon ! won't both
er you today. Mr.. Craig. Some day
I'll come In town an tell you, but
Pole looked at the sun. 81 reckon I'd
better he goin'."
"Hold on!' Craig caught Poles arm.
The ex-banker was natural man.
Despite his recent troubles he had his
share Of curiosity, and Poles manner
and words had aroused it to unwonted
activity. Hold on" he said. whats
your hurry? I've got time to spare If
you have"
Pole hung his head for moment In
silence: then he looked the old man In