The Elbert County tribune., 1903-09-17
CHAPTER KIN.
Around the Tavern Fire.

Nfobfd hNt Tavern Eifcs
IF heard reyther a strange story
over yander in ther town thes mornin'
when went fer ther DOCTORS" Tom
Smith said. presently. setting down his
mug OF cider and wiping of his beard
ed lips with the back of his hand "A
strange story an reyther more'n
think Johnsing deserves"
He hev more'n he deserves now"
Sadler said. with leer at Lode.
But the story. Tom Jones inter
posed. to prevent further unpleasant
ness. Lets hev ct ct once"
''Et's bout Johnsing OF course"
Smith said, solemnly. "Et all pears
ter be bout Johnsing. A sherless. 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
well carry thout our sayin' hyard
thengs bout hem. Let's hev yer story,
Tom
We'll. when, was done seein' ther
doctors an ther wimmen,' Smith con-
tinued. "et ther judges house. what
young Green sent me ter see, I 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 a civil tongue
in his head bout thet Johnsing an his
gal, fer ct seems thet Lem Johnsing-
him thet left hyar many year ago
hev KEN back ter see his brother.
an has been askin' news o. him. an
is a-fndin' 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 lady o. her An Lem.
he hev heap o. money. they says
struck up a powerful friendship thet
may they lowed mebby prove a
benefit ter Johnsing in many ways.
but most special in a way I ives all
know"
'Et pears queer how thengs kem
round" Sadler said. meditatively, but
Lem Johnsing al'ays did hev more
grit n most of 'em. Theys shef'less,
no count set ennyhow. 'ceptin him,
an ther gal worse n most"
Look a-hyar, Sadler," Lodie said,
slowly-Dolores could not have
spoken slower "Et's bein' worse'n
ther beastie ter hit man when he's
down. special when yer know he kyan't
live long ter bother nobody Ef
theys get hem over ter ther town
alive etll be more'n l reckon. An
more'n thet. he may be dead or a-dyin'
thes minnet while ives what call our
selves his friends be talIsin' o. him
names an sayin' onlSind thengs bout
hem. Hem an his gal has 'nough ter
thenk of 'thout we uns heapin on ner
an him q lot o hyard thengs I 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-
outside at the doors and windows,
swaying the creaking sign at the door
post Suddenly the low door was
thrown open. letting in gust of
hoarse east wind and showers of rain
and sleet, and out of this. like 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 plight to make