Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tn A Dead Mans Hand.

and sheep roasted whole, and in the
town the night was sleepless with the
blare and the snort of the brass band
Old politicians, keen to jump back
into the harness and jingle the trace
chains of self importance, predicted
that there was to be a sweeping VIC
tory for Democracy" unless the en-
emy held In reserve trick to spring
at the last moment But as the Judges
of election had to all appearances
been fairly appointed, 1t was not ike
ly that any decisive trick could be de-
vised. Besides, 1t did not seem to be
the Carpetbagger's desire to win by
fraud. He had held the state in the
hollow of his grasping hand, and surely
he could have kept 1t there, for moth
ing had really occurred to weaken
his power-nothing except the con-
cessions which he himself had grant
ed.
In the glow of noon when the air
was close, the Major halted in at Mrs.
Fairburn's gate. The widow was Sit
ting in a hammock swung across the
yeranda. She waved her fan at him
and asked him to come in. He had
not the time for so luxurious a pleas
ure, he said; there was work for him
to do, at the committee rooms In the
hotel, but he could not resist the
temptation to linger for moment.
81
and seemed to be in no haste to get
at his important work.
"a few days ago." said he, ut was
my earnest desire to be elected; now
1t is more than desire-it is an en-
thusiasm."
"Then q distant view did not lend
a false enchantment to the office"
she replied, laughing.
mo, the closer get, the more at
tractive 1t becomes"
"why, Major?"
Her woman's instinct told her why,
but she could not have helped ask
ing. Naturally he expected the ques-
ton, but Of course pretended aston
Ishment that she should not know
why.
"The office is brighter, now, Alice,
because I have hope that you Will
share 1t with me-"
why, Major" she said, somewhat
fiustered, "don't talk so lond. Some
one might hear YOU"
He bowed over the gate and said
that he would respect her caution.
But" he added, II would like to
shout It from the dome Of the state
house."
"They would think that you were
making a political speech" she said.
He shook his head. mo. not a po-
ltical speech, for there can be MOTH
ing polite where the heart Is so deep
ly concerned. A man may set his
mind upon an office; his heart is re-
served for something nobler. But as
I said before, you must not decide
impulsively. When am Governor
1 shall expect your answer"
He bowed again and passed on,
and just at that moment, negress'
employed by Mrs. Fairburn as a laun-
dress, came round a corner OF the
house, wringing her hands and moan
ing. Mrs. Fairburn, full Of sympa-
thy, besought her to tell the cause OF
her distress, but the poor woman was
so overcome by grief that 1t was
some moments before she could
speak. Then she said that Zeb, her
husband, had been found murdered,
with a knife wound in his breast. On
the night before, he had gone to meet
a man who owed him money-she
did not know the name Of the man
and had been stabbed to death In
Thompson's lumber yard.
IT doan want him t be buried by
no charity" said the woman. Il want
e borry enough money t pay fur de
!,neral: an 1 doan know when 1 kin
pay you, but I want you t take dis
gare watch an keep 1t till 1 fetches
Il, money back { you"
She took a gold watch from her
bosom and held it out to Mrs. Fair
burn. II don't want your watch,
Minerva. 1 will let you have the
money, but I couldn't think of"
"Yessum, you mus. You got I,
case 1 doan know whut [ do wild 1t
no how, fur it's too fine fur me"
Let me see it," said Mrs. Fair
burn, taking the watch. She opened
II and looked up with a start. where
did you get this? Tell me the truth
"Yassum, I'll tell you de truf ez de
Lawd is my jedge. My husband he
glib it t me-"
do you know where he got it?'
Nom, l doan know, but de white
pusson dat he works fur mus er glib
II T. him in pay fur his work"
"Do YOU know whom he worked
for?"
Nom. He neber tole me much er
bout his effairs Nom, doan know"
"I'n let you have the money and
keep the watch" said the widow
kindly. Gently drawing the sorrow
ing negress down upon the veranda
she questioned her long ABOUT dii
phases Of the affair and particularly
inquired about the watch.
Then she sent the woman away
with the money under her apron,
chanting a negro's improvised dirge
as she crossed lots in the direction OF
home Reaching there, her chant
was merged into the mourning song
sung by her friends, gathered at the
house Jim looked in at the door and
stood shaking his head. Early that
morning a man had come running to
tell him that Zeb was dead in Thomp-
sons lumber yard, and he had has
tened over there to see for himself.
The news had not yet been spread,
the body having just been found, and
Jim saw tte murder in all its CHASTITY
newness. He approached cautiously,
looking at the dead mans upturned
face. Then he looked at the right
hand, shut tight, and stood there,
pop-eyed with a discovery. Bending