The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1905-01-11

A4GE went to barley, as he fire.
EasSTSa quently did, to spend Sunday.
ySsessks&y On such visits he usually
stayed at the Johnston House, great,
old fashioned brick building that had
survived the civil war and remained
untouched by the shot and shell that
hurtled over it during that dismal Pc
rlod when most Of the population had
"rcfugccd farther SOUTH" 1t had four
stories and was too big for the town.
which could boast of only 1000 inhab.
itunts, onc-third of whom were black.
However, the SmallncSS Of the town
was In the hotels favor, for in place
where no one would have Datronized
second class hotel opposition would
have died q natural death. The genial
proprietor and his family were OF the
best blood, and the Johr ston House
WAS Il sort of social clubhouse where
the church people held their affairs
and the less serious element gave
dances 10 be admitted to the hotel
without having to pay for ones dinner
was tho hallmark of social approval.
1T was near the ancient looking brick
car shed, under which tie trains of
warehouse of the same date and archi-
lecture. Around the hotc. were clus-
tered the chief financial enterprises OF
the toWn-itS stores, pOStoflicc, banks
and Il hall for theatrical purposes. Oar
ley wns the scat Of its county, and an
other relic OF the days before the war
was its courthouse. The principal side
| walks were paved with brick, which in
places were damp and green and some
| times raised above their common level
by the undcrgrowing roots of tho syc-
amore trees that edged the streets.
In the office Of the hotel, just after
registering his name, Alan met his
friend Rayburn Miller, for whose bust
ness ability, ii may be remembered,
| Abncr Daniel had such high regard.
| He was fine looking man Of thirty
| three, tall and Of athletic build. He
| had dark eyes and hair and ruddy,
outdoor complexion. o.
"lIcllo!' he said cordially. 81 thought
you might get In today, 50 l came
round to see. Sorry you've taken n
room. l wanted YOU to sleep with me
tonight. Sisters gone, and no one Is
there but the cook. Hello, 1 must be
right under SanfortrS nose"
''I'll make you stay with me to make
up for it," said Alan as the clerk be-
hind the counter laughed good natured-
is over the alluSon to himself
"Blamcd If l d4p.tt~ think abor, it,"
said Miller. Come round 10 the Of
nee. Tant to talk to you. reckon
You've got every plow going such
weather as this"
"To6k my horse out Of the field to
drive over" said Alan as they went
out and turned down to 4 side street
where there was Il row of law offices,
all two rOom"d buildings. single Sto-
rlcd, built of brick and l,caring bat
tered tin signs. One Of In, SO buildings
was MiIler's, hich, like II! its fellows
had It's door wide open, thus inviting
all the lawyers III the crow" and all
students Of law to enter and borrow
books or use the ever open desk.
Rayburn Miller was Il man among
ton thousand in his class. Just after
being graduated at the state university
he was admitted to the bar and took
up the practice OF law. He could un-
doubtrdly have made his way at this
alone, had not other and more absorb
ing talents developed withil him. Hay
ing had Il few thousand dollars left
him ut his fathers death, he began to
utilize this capital in "nCtc shaving
nnu other methods of Turning over
money for Il handsome profit furnished
by the unsettled conditions s, the time
and locality. He SOON bccnmc an adept
In many lines of speculation, and as he
was remarkably shrcwd and cautious
it is not to be wondered at that hc soon
accumulated quite Il fortune.
"rakc seat" he said to Alan as
they went into the office. and he throw
himself into the revolving chair at his
Uttered desk. Il want TO talk to you.
| suppose YOU are In for some fun.
The boys arc getting up Il dance ut the
hotel, and they want your dollar to
help pay the band. It's Il good one
this time. They've ordered it from
Chattanooga. 1t will be down on the
1886. Got match?"
Alan had not and Miller turned his
head to the opc!. door. An old negro
happened to be passing, with an AK on
his shoulder.
"Hegh, there. Uncle Ned" Miller
called out.
The negro had passed. but he heard
his name called, and lie came back
and looked I'm at the doe:
want me, Marse RayburnY
eyes, you old scamp. Get me
match or III shoot tho top Of your
head or"
"All right, sub; all right, Mnrsc Ray
burn"
"i"u ought to know him." said Mil
Ter, with smile as the negro hurried
into The adjoining office. Ills wife
cooks for Colonel Barclay. lie might
teil YOU If Miss Dolly's going tonight,
put know she Is. Frank IIillhousc
checked her name off the list, and l |
heafo nm say she'd accepted BY the !
way, that fellow will do to watch. |
thlhk he and the colonel are pretty |
thick"
"Will you never let UP on that?,
Alan asked, with a flush.
IL don't know that shall" laughed
RayDnn. ut seems so funny to 500
you In love, o., rather, to see you think
you are"
III have never said l was" said Alan
sharply.
"But YOU show 1t so blamed plain"
On III NTtJlo,