Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-23
CHAPTER XIV-Contonued.

A feeling Of rascally humor seized
the Governor and he significantly re-
plied: well, you don't know no"
much 1t might have been worth &c
me either"
TT will carry joy to a stricken
household" said the widow, too ear
nest in her gratitude to catch the Gov
ernor's joke.
.It couldn't be borne by a better
messenger, madam"
THANK you, Governor, you are very
kind"
"How's that? Kind? Then there
must be something wrong with me
tonight, for 1 haven't heard that be-
fore since struck the state" Jim
came down. "On the table," said the
Governor. motioning. The negro put
down the pen and inkstand and took
occasion to slyly whisper:
white lady up dar yit, sah."
go on, go on" commanded the
Governor, and under his breath added
something that Mrs. Fairburn did not
hear-it was just as we'll that she
didn't. Jim nodded, srinned and re-
sumed his place on the portico, slow
H pacing up and down.
The Governor signed the pardon.
Understand" he said, II don't really
know anything about the merits OF
this case; / do this for"
For justice, Governor"
NO." said he, handing her the pa
per, "for a live goddess"
There was tramping OF feet on
the flag stone walk. The Governor
listened. Mrs. Fairburn arose. Jim
stepped in. "Mr. Lummers, Mr.. Will
let's an some udder folks, sah."
"Show them in. It's Mr.. Reynolds"
II must 60" said Mrs. Fairburn.
where's Roy?"
"Don't-please don't" the Governor
pleaded. Wait"
They stood little apart, with their
eyes on the door, waiting for the new
comers to enter. Tremulous, but
walking proudly. old John Reynolds
followed by the rest came through
the broad doorway. The old planter
was a picture, a picture now almost
faded from the canvas Of our national
life, an out-of- date dignity. an en-
phasis Of over-conscious self-respect
in black. He advanced we'll within
the room, glanced down to see that
his wife was beside him, and stood
erect, as still as his physical weak
ness would permit. The Governor
bowed and was silent, gazing at the
old man-the palsied remnant Of a
country's aristocracy. Mrs. Fairburn
ran to the woman and embraced her.
Willetts was the first to speak.
"Well, here we are, Governor"
YES" Lummers spoke up, "and a
hard time We had bringing them, too"
The Governor cleared his throat.
"Sit down, everybody" he command
ed, but no one moved.
The old man took no notice OF the
Governor, but with a courtly gesture
addressed himself to Mrs. Fairburn.
Good evening, Madam. And have
you come here to intercede for me?
That was wrong, Madam; it should
not have been done" Then he slowly
turned his old eyes upon the Govern
or. "Will you inform me for what
purpose I have been brought here In
violation of all forms Of law?"
Mrs. Reynolds gently touched his
arm. "John!" she pleadingly said.
The old man turned and bowed to
her, and then addressed the Governor.
well, sir,"
that Mrs. Fairburn looked at him
quickly, and Willetts moved uneasily.
"Mr. Reynolds, no one could regret
more deeply"
Spare yourself that trouble, sir,"
the old man interrupted. Am 1 to be
informed?"
Mr.. Reynolds, 1 have sent for you
to"
by what authority" the old man
broke in.
We'll, by the authority of a kindly
interest-if no other"
Il recognize no such authority, sir"
The old woman touched his arm
again and called his name, speaking 1t
in a voice full Of sorrow and admon-
ition-"John!" He saluted her gal
Now that you have come" continu-
ued the Governor, Il should like to
hear your story"
STORY? 1 do not come here prim-
ed with a story"
II want to hear your side Of the
case"
"This is no court Of law, SIR
"Of course not; but underestimate
do not demand this-I request it."
There was a softening change in the
old mans manner. Very well, sir,
you shall have it. One morning I
found that some one had thrown down
my fences and ridden through my
plantation. 1 put the fences up. Tne
next day saw a man throw down
the fence and start to ride through. ]
hailed him. Sir 1 said, don't you
do that again He made a sneerinS
answer and rode on. Then 1 called
out to him: Sir, if you do that again
l will shoot you am told that TO-
day my fences were thrown DOWN
again and that this man rode through.
Later, he was found dead near a gap
that he had made in the fence"
With a bullet hole in his head,
Willetts spoke up.
The Governor made a gesture 10
enjoin silence. The old man proceed
ed:
Somebody killed him. 1 did not
And do you think sir, that if he had
fallen by my hand, l would stand
here and deny it? No, sir 1 did not
kill him; but-the infamous scoun-
drel, l wish to God I had"
Willetts stepped forward. Govern
or" he began. you must remember
Silence, sir!" the Governor thun-
dered Then in kindly tones he said:
,o1,,