The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-10-25

revolver. "Go home, boys" he said
wearlly. "Pm sorry I spoke as did
Just now. You are all my friends; I
can sec that. Good night"
They stood for an instant rs ir un-
certain what step TO take, but Buckley's
last words had completely dlsarmed
them. Slowly they disbanded and
struggled away. When they were all
lost in the darkness George closed the
door and locked It, Just then jeff
Truitt emerged from the darkness In
the interior Of the building and, with
hanging head and downcast eyes. drew
near.
"Oh, George" he faltered, II wish
they had killed me. I'm coward. I
was afeard Of 'em-afeard Of emp
1T wasn't that, my boy: don't you be.
l,eve It," said George consolingly. You
were simply stampeded. The best sol.
diers are that way when they see
overwhelming numbers oaching.
You've got grit, but they tell me You
have to fill UP with whisky to float it."
but you wasn't afeard Of 'em," wall.
cd the boy.
Yes. l was--at first" said Buckley.
Il shook all over, and then got drunk
with ragc. just like you do on whisky.
It's the same thing--just rs wide as
It's long. Don't you bother; you'll
fight, Jeff. If I'd thought you were q
coward I'd never been the friend to
SOU l am. My Lord, don't remember,
away back ut the log schoolhouse, how
Press Tiffton bullicd you all day, pinch
Ing you, calling you names, and finally,
when he began to bump your head
against the wall, you turned in and
gave him the worst licking he ever
had? He had black eyes and puffy
jaws for week. Some men are that
way-just don't like trouble and stay
away from it till it's showed OH them.
How did they happen to come here for
you?'
'"They went home after mo, reckon"
said the boy, "an' when they found out
| was here they come OH to get liQuor
an settle with NE. Ef you was nc.
George, what would you do-go home
tonight? You know the folks will be
a-worryin'."
mo; you stay here and sleep with
risk you anywhere else tonight"
They went back to the bedroom,
Buckley carrying the light. As they
passed the big tireproof vault in the
office jeff said. Looks like it would
be resly to leave jest one man here
with Il whole lot O. money in safe
like that, George"
ut has combination lock-" Buck.
ley told him. 1T would take an ex.
pert burglar several hours to open It.
and the noise would wake me. That s
why sleep here. Nearly all the poor
people IN the mountains and here IN
town deposit their savings with us.
It's II big responsibility, but the safe
They are better than those at the bank
uptown, an that's why the people
want to deposit with us. It's lot of
trouble. but Mr.. Hillyer likes to accom-
modate them"
"And thar's always lots O money
in the SAFE I reckon" said Jeff.
"Thousands OF dollars, my boy" re-
piled Buckley; "but it's tireproof, and
the risk is very little, as l told you. /
am in this room every night, and when
I go away Kenncr sleeps here"
But thar's another thing you hain't
thought Of" said jeff Robbers some
times slip up on man, git i'm we'll
covered nn' then force i'm TO open 4
safe What would you do In case
like that, GcorgcT'
Buckley laughed. II haven't thought
Of that, I'll admit" he answered; but,
with the responsibility on me Ike it is.
1 believe I'd die fighting rather than
voluntarily give ill.,"
"rhat nd be foolshness," said JEFF.
"Whats moncy-even u fortune---to a
mans lifcT'
Its different with me, my boy"
George placed the lamp on the little
table. You could give in and many
others could and nothing would be said
about 1t, but If l did 1t they would say
it was-my fathers weakness cropping
out in another generation. That would
be the general verdict, JEFF. Folks are
that way"
"Do you reckon 50, George"
eyes, that's the way Of the world.
Now git In bed. jeff"
lENllt llSSttulSu JGSL
le' me lie on Il pile O. sacks on the
floor" he said. IL don't want to crowd
you, George"
"You think I'd be above sleeping
with you. my boy" Buckley laid his
hand OH his shoulder and turned him
forcibly to him. you've heard all
that talk out home about my being
stuck up, but it Is lie out Of whole
cloth. jeff, jeff" - Buckley's breast
rose high and fell-"I'd give all haze
to feel ns good in the eyes of the world
as you are. There's stain on me that
nothing will remove. Yes, I'd freely
give up my lifo to prove that am not
naturally thief"
Awcd to silence by the strange man
nor Of his friend, Jeff Truitt undressed
and got into bed. George turned out
the light. Jeff heard him undressing
and then all was still for two or three
minutes, after which Buckley rose
from his knees and got in the bed.
been sayin' yore prayers, GeorgeT'
JEFF asked in wonder.
eyes JEFF: try not to neglect it once