The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1905-04-07
Jack Aliens Gratitude.

There was low rap at the outer
door of the dingy office. The old
lawyer looked up from his Uttered
desk.
Come in" he said, and bent again
over his work.
The door was push ell open aud man
entered. He was man OF perhaps
thirty-five, small but we'll knit, and
with remarkably keen gray eyes. a
glance from those keen eyes settled for
moment on the old lawyer, then roam
ed swiftly about the room, taking in
with one comprehensive sweep
the venerable book case the ancient
steel engraving, the discolored walls
and back &c the Il lawyer again.
Good day." the stranger said.
The lawyer looked up with quick
nod."Take chair,sir
He looked hard at the newcomer
Strangers were a rarity in Joyville
And this was somewhat an interest
ing stranger.
You have 4 moments leisuc.?" the
young man haIt inquired.
Several moments," the old lawyer
answered. Time is one of the cheap
est of commodities in Joyville. How
can serve you?"
The stranger tpok off his hat and
pushing back his coat. thrust his
hand in his trousers pockets. al
have come to you," he answered, "for
Il little 1nfor nation
'lnSormation is another one of our
cheapest commodities, said the old
lawyer with a grim little smile. "Pro-
bound your Interrogations."
The stranger l,ughed.
81 am in a habit of paying for what
want" he said, "Does this inter
fere with Joyvii;e precedentsP"
cit Goss," the Old lawyer replied
However, they are not infallible
precedents- though rarely set aside
The stranger drew alittle closer.
''Iow does the wn-ld use you. Able.
Garner?" he asked.
The old lawyer stared at him
81 make no compliant" h said
1.-The world presumably uses me as
well as deserve. 1t At least give me
bread"
"And butter:'
Gan the butter that IS good por mo
no doubt,
"And don't you loas for cake at
tImes?"
Il am human even after 70 rtv wear.
of legal practioe-if it can be termed
practice"
The stranger did not smile.
would it violate the pyvIlle prece-
dents ;" he asked, If offer ,ou re-
tainery"
Il want certain infOrma ton" the
stranger explained II want a c,nri-
DENTAL agent. | want to deal with n
man In whom | feel perfect confidence
The old lawyer looked ut him ,harp
ly.
"Have you met me before?" lie aud
denly asked.
The stranger drew his right hand
from his pocket. There was n fine
'ather pocketbook in his grasp. He
opened it and drew out several h,nl
notes. Then he laid them on the desk
before the old lawyer.
"Will this be sufficient to insura
your attention to my work." he asked
The old man slightly 'gasped.
1t Is quite sufficient, the old law
yer replied, and his tr-mOliug hanI
closed on the bank notes.
"This will not conflict with ,ba hi,
you will send me when the work j.
ione?" said the stranger. I"You TN.
ierstaud this?"
81 think understand yJu." said the
Did man.
And all the details are strictly co,.
"Strictly So"
"Iou do not know me-"
NO"
You have no idea who ann"
"9od have no knowledge of nv busi.
ness?"
"Not unless yo1 are a pIrvey,t of
,ake!"
The stranger smilel slightly.
Say rather handler of dough. Are
'ou familiar with the slang of III
ay?"
"Sufficen'ly so to grasp Jpurm m,in
ng, thint."
The Strangers eyes grew brighter
cable Garner he slow said have
cen in your debt for Il great many
ears"
"Can It it be possible, the old mln |
aid, that you are mistakin x me for
ONE one else?"
"No, Able Garner, you are the man
'ant