The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-25

seat, walked across the room. and at- tentively studied one of the portraits. It depicted man between twenty-five and thirty-hve.
 "well. I'll be jiggedt' he exclaimed as he resumed his seat "Ef that ain't silas Tomlin I'm Dutchmani"
 "Why, l shouldn't think you would rec- ognjze him after nll these years" the lady said, smiling brightly. Don't you think the portrait 1atters him7'
 Quite a considerabul," replied Mir. Sanders "but Silas has got pints about his countenance that coat of tar wouldn't hide. Trim his eyebrows and give him clean, close shave, an he's cen about the same as he was then. An eff l ain't mighty much mistaken, the pctur' by his side was intended to be took for you. The feller that took 1t for got to put the right kind of a sparkle in the eye. an he didn't ketch the laugh that oughter be hov'rin round the mouth; but all in all, it's mighty good likeness"
 Now, don't you think I should thank MT Sanders?' said the lady, turning to Judge Vardeman. Tt has been many a day since I have had such compliment. Actually, I believe 1 am blushing!" and she was.
 Thereupon Judge vardeman suggested to Mrs. Claiborne that she begin at the beginning, and place MT Sanders in pos- session of all the facts necessary to the successful carrying out of the plan she had in view. It was a plan, the judge | went on to say, that he did not wholly | indorse, bordering as t did, on frivolity, | but as the lady was determined on it, l he would not advise against it, as the re- suits bade fair to be harmless. l It must have been quite a story the lady had to tell MT Sanders for the sun was nearly down when he came from the house; and it must have been somewhat amusing, too, for he came down tGe steps laughing heartily. When he reached the sidewalk he paused, looked back at the closed door. shook his head, and threw up his hands, exclaiming to himself, Bless Katy I'm powerful glad I aint got no oman on my trail. Specially one like her. Be jigged ef she don't shake this old town up!'
 He heard voices behind him and turned to see Eugenia Claiborne and Paul Tom lin walking slowly along engaged in a | very engrossing conversation. Mir Sam ders looked at the couple long enough to make sure that he was not mistaken as | to their identity, and then he went on his way.
 | He had intended to go straight home.
 but, yielding to a sudden whim or impulse
 he went to the tavern instead During l the spring and summer months there was | no pleasanter place than the long, low 1 veranda of MT. Woodruff's tavern, and | 1t was very popular with those who had l an idle hour at their disposal This yer | anda was much patronized by Mir Sias Tomlin. who, after the death of his wife, had no home-lfe worthy of the name. Silas was not socially inclined; he took no part In the gossip and tittletattle that flowed up and down the veranda. Never theless nothing seemed to please him better than to draw a. chair some dis tance away from the group of loungers, | yet not out of earshot lean back against one of the supporting pillars, close his | eyes and listen to all that was said, or | dream his own dreams, such as they might be.
 Mir. Sanders was we'll aware of Silas | Tomlin's tavern habits. and this was what induced him to turn his feet in that | direction. He expected to find Slas there | at this particular hour and he was not
 disappointed. Slas was sitting aloof
 from the crowd his chair leaning against l one of the columns, his legs crossed, his | eyes closed, and his hands folded in his | lap.
 | The crowd of loungers was somewhat
 larger than usual. Lawyer TidweIl was
 taking advantage of the occa,1on to ex- | pound and explain several very delicate
 and intricate constitutional problems. He
 lowered his voice slightly. as he saw Mr.
 Sanders. but kept on with his exposition 1 of our organic law
 Hello, Mir. Sanders!" said one of the
 loungers. "how are you getting on these | days?'
 '.Weil. I was gittin' on right peart tell
 today. but this mornin' I struck a tob l that made me weak an wary" l You're looking mighty we'll anvhow What has been the trouble today?" 'Why. I'll tell you" responded. MT.
 Sanders. with Show of animation. "Pye
 been gwine round all day tryin' to sit up