The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-07-26

ley TO mercy. Well, they came down
OH I'M like load Of bricks. an I'm not
going to let George suffer for him.
Why, the old rascal can't be cured Of
his dishonesty. Didn't you hear what
Bradley said about his constantly steal
Ing from his neigl!h2rs, mnny OF whom
never made any charge against him out
OF respect for Mrs. Buckley and George?
No, sir; his son. who is my friend, shall
not sacrifice his savings for him."
"rhen I'll pay 1t, Judge; you know
am able"
"You shan't do that, either" said the
| judge firmly. even If I'd consent to
! let as old Il man rs you be out Of
pocket Tor such II hopeless rcprohate,
! George would find it out and Insist on
| repaylng you in tie long run. No; five
years in the mines will do the old
scamp good. and I'm going to secure
| his transportation"
"You think that's final then. judgeY'
Hillycr had turned quite pale. and the
Quiverlng hand which had clutched his
beard stayed Itself in its downward
progress.
Yes that's final Mr.. IIillycr. | wish
could help you, but l can't. I'll settle
Buckley's hash In about two minutes
after give him Il sound lecture. Right
now the old devil would cut tho throuts
OF several OF tho states witnesses If
he was ut liberty"
'Thcn III 90 back to the store an
tell the boy" uillycr sighed III he
moved to the door, q dead look Of dis
appointment In his eye.
AS IIillyer was making his way
through the courtroom to the outer
door the wife Of the condemned man
reached out her hand and stopped him.
She had clutchcd the tail Of his long
froCk coat
II want to speak to you," she said
go ahead. I'm goin' outside" He
led thc'way down the stairs to the yard
below and then paused to hear what
she had to say.
Il seed you invite the judge out" she |
began. II suSpicloncd you aXcd i'm
to make 1t Il fine"
"Ies, that's what I called i'm out fer,
Mrs. Buckley" the merchant said
looking down cOmmiscrutely on her fat
figure clothed in dingy black calico,
"but 1t wasn't Il bit O use. Hes made
up his mind to sci1l the old man Off
for five years"
The woman nodded slowly. "Well, I
reckon It's as good as we kin expect"
she said. 'Ef 1t had been Il fine, George
would "a had to pay 1t, an I'm agin
that proposition. He's worked hard
to make his little start, an it nin't
right fer I'm 70 have to give it up when
Mr. Iliilyer, I've heard that pore boy
beg an beg his pa to change, an Of
he's predicted this thing once he has
fifty times"
II knew that. too" replied the NOR.
chant, with dark frown. "Rut
George is Jest SO 6itnatrn right now,
Mrs Bucltlcy, that he'd sacrifice all ho |
expects to make In tho next ten years !
% avoid the disgrace O the sentence. |
He holds his own with the biggest |
'Olks In town. an this is simply awful. |
You know how some o these blue |
)lOOded families look on thing like
his"
Jest about as sensible as they look
on most things" retortcd Mrs. Buck
ley philosophically, "an' don't sec no
use IN humorin' 'cm. They may know
mans thief, but Of he hain't pub
nely branded they don't care. But
n"'ia mas broke the law; thar nin't no
In.,ge TO be made In i'm. an Pm agtn
,o,''n II hamper George, no matter
Wn"t these shallow minded aristocynts
.',hN' WHAT'S botherIn' me is another
You say 1t is, Mrs. Bucklcyf" And
inc merchant stared cxpcctantly.
Yes, Mr.. Hillyer. George hH,n,t cot
out one weakness. an that is, onco IN
long while. when he Is in desno,r
nc VIII take drink to drown his iron.
Ole reckon he hain't fetched n dron
but once since he's been with yo,in
AN that was the time they thyoot.
ened to Jail yore husband fer Dcnn,n.
up Wilson's hogs, an we succeeded IN
squashin' tho charge"
'Ycs, that was the tlme"-~the old wo.
man pushed back her gingham noke
bonnet and looked straight into Eul.
yer's eyes-"an' am anxious to Nnd
out Of this thing has made him"-
Not yet, Mrs. Buckley" Hillyers
voice had fallen very low; It was nj.
most husky. "But I'VE been that afeard
It would start I'm off that I .Kain't been