The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-08-26
CHAPTER XVII.

T01NE morning about the 1st of
Id y December George was alone In
III the Office He had just finished
~ writing some letters when Jeff
Truitt came in aud stood near the
stove. He was a slender young man,
under twenty-fi five, short and frail look
Ing. His clothing was ragged and his
sandy hair unkempt. Buckley looked
ut him and smiled. Been getting your
self into no end of rows over home"
he remarked. MY mother tells me
they sent you deaths head the other
night. and your father said somebody
shot at you in the fied'
THAT'S all so, George" said Truitt
gloomily. Il reckon I've been shootin,
| of my mouth Il little too much"
81 really thought you had more sense
than to report that desperate gang over
there for moonshining," said George
in kindly tone.
wouldn't "a done it ef I'd been
SOBER" replied Truitt. "They made
me mad when l was full. an l done
'em all the harm l could"
"Well, what are you going to do about
it, JeffT"
, George. Ma and pa are mighty nigh
crazy about it, an give 'em my word
I'd come an AK yore advice. By gum,
they think they'll go to you when they
back over thar today, George? IL
got another warnin' last night; in fact,
six or eight of 'em was scattered all
about the place. l say warnin', but 1
fho, 4l,,f
was to pa an ma an said eff they
ketched me they wouldn't do thing
to me-"
"Well, there's some consolation in
that" said George dryly.
"You know hain't afeard o. any rea-
sonable number O. men," said Truitt in
his whining voice, "but when q whole
regiment of 'cm comes to drink a fel-
ler's blood | jest git ratified an want
to make tracks. Eff l had my way,
though, I'd so back home an defy 'em,
but mas mighty nigh crazy"
"No; you'd better stay in town today
anyway, Jeff" said Buckley after
moments reflection. go up to the
Johnston House and get your breakfast
take all your meals there while you
tell them to charge Il. to me. Stay in
town tonight anyway. I'll see you To-
merrowa I'm very BUSY ztoday.1-1o.
you thiisk the gang would dare follow
you here?" sns
"They might, George. They raised
rumpus here about q year ago, you
know whippin' niggers in Niger
town."
+ Later in the morning Buckley met
the town marshal, Joe Batey, on the
street The officer wore a broad brim-
med hat dark blue suit of clothes
with brass buttons and carried po-
liceman's club strapped to his wrist.
George gravely explained the situation
20 him, but the officer refused to con-
Germ himself In the matter.
Look v here, George Buckley" he
said. "Do you reckon I'm paid measly
town wages to do both town and coun-
ty work? Ef the sheriff cayn't keep
down them riots over thar in the noun
tains,SI cayn't. Fer $50 month I'm
expected to do police duty In daytime,
watchman at night an act as coroner
on special occasions. Besides, Jeff
Truitt's gcttin' entirely too numerous.
Every time he gets full he wants to
scratch some o them daredevils' eyes
out. He's funny chap. They say
when h9iA drunk he'd fight a swarm O.
wildcats but when he's sober he'd
scare at the sight of n baby popgun,
an, on top o. that, when he sobers up
he's so stubborn he'd die fore he would
apologize fer what he's done. What
you goin' to do with man like that2
He's no ornament to the community"
"Well, only thought I'd let you
know the situation" George smiled as
he walked on. "All want to do is to
save the fellows neck"
I George saw no more of JEFF Truitt
that day. He had some important cal
| culations to make In connection with
| the sale of certain large quantities of
| cotton to mills I'm the east. and he was
closely occupied in his Office till past
midnight. When he had finished he
| went to the front door Of the ware
house to get breath Of fresh air be-
| fore retiring. He did not feel sleepy.
| Such work as he had been doing usu-
ally had contrary effect on him. Sud-
denly be heard a shout up the street
I'm the direction of the Johnston House,
revolver was fired, and gruff voice
cried ont, Thar he goes, boys!'
This was followed by clatter of
/ many feet on the brick sidewalk, a
storm of furious calculations and sti-
! fed oaths, and then dark human bill
low rushed down the street in Buck
lcy's direction. 1t was q mob pursu;
ing jeff TRUTH .--s.sslss ssss..ss..ssnss
J->-Ffardry gnowfng why he did Ii;
George ran into his Office and secured
his big revd{fer from the drawer of his
desk and hrnedIback quickly to the
{qoor. Herwas just In time, for the