Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-05
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fence defined the bounds of a stump!
pasture-lot.
From the door Of the tavern thu
figure OF a man emerged. Pausint
by the horse rack he surveyed the
two men and boy, If not with indif'
ference, at least with apathy. JUS
above his head swung the sign with
| its legend, "Slosson-Entertainm
but If he were Slosson, one could take
the last half of the sign either as
poetic rhapsody on the part Of the
painter, or the yielding to some mean
ingless convention, for in his person
Mr.. Slosson suggested none Of those
qualities Of brain or heart that trench
ed upon the lighter amenities of life
He was black-haired and bull-necked
and there was about him a certain
shagginess which a recent toilet per-
formed at the horse trough had moi
served to mitigate.
"Howdy?" he drawled.
"Howdy?" responded Mr.. Yancy.
Shall you stop here?" asked Muir
rell, sinking his voice. Yancy nodded
Can you put US up?" inquired Muir
rell, turning to the tavern-keeper.
"I reckon that's what I'm here for
said Slosson. Murrell glanced about
the empty yard Slack" observed
Slosson, languidly. Yes, sir, slack's
the only name for it." 1t was under
stood he referred to the state Of trade
He looked from one to the other OF
the two men. AS his eyes rested on
Murrell, that gentleman raised the
first three fingers Of his right hand
The gesture was ever so little, yet II
seemed to have a tonic effect on Mr.
Slosson. What might have developed
into a smile had he not Immediately
suppressed 1t, twisted his bearded lips
as he made an answering movement
"Eph, come here, you!" Slosson
raised his. voice. This call brought a
half-grown black boy from about
corner of the tavern. to whom Muir
rell relinquished his horse.
Let's liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder, moving off in the direc-
ton of the bar.
Come on, Nevvy!" said Yancy fol-
lowing, and they all entered the tav-
ern.
well. here's to the best Of good
luck!" said Murrell, as he raised the
glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Yancy
Murrell pulled out roll Of bills, one
of which he tossed on the bar. Then
after a moments hesitation he de-
tached a second bill from the roll and
turned to Hannibal.
Here, youngster-a present for
you" he said good-naturedly. Han
nibal, embarrassed by the unexpected
gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
"Ain't you-all got nothing to say
to the gentleman" asked Yancy.
Thank you, sir" said the boy
That sounds heap better. Let's
see-why, If it amt ten dollars
think of thatr said Yancy, in sur
prise.
Let's have another drink" suggest
ed Murrell.
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard He still held the bill in his
hand, for he did not quite know how
to dispose of his great wealth. After
debating this matter for a moment
he knotted 1t carefully in one corner
of his handkerchief. But this did not
quite suit him, foI he united the kno,
and looked at the bill again, turning
it over and over in his hand. Then he
folded it carefully into the smallest
possible compass and once more tied
corner Of his handkerchief about IT
this time with two knots instead Of
one; these he afterward tested with
his teeth.
"I low she won't come undone
now!" he said, with satisfaction. He
slowed the handkerchief away in hi:
trousers pocket ramming it very tight
with his fist. He was much relieved
when this was DONE for wearing 6
care-free air he sauntered across the
yard and established himself on the
top rail of the corn-field fence.
The colored boy, armed with ar
ak. appeared at the woodpile and be-
gan to chop in the desultory fashion
of his race, pausing every few Sec
onds to stare in the direction of hi:
white compatriot, who met his glance
with reserve. Whereupon Mr.. Slos
sons male domestic INDUCED in GER
tain antics that were not rightly an!
part Of wood-chopping. This yet fur
ther repelled Hannibal.
THE disgustin' chattel!" he NUT
tered under his breath, quoting hi:
Uncle Bob, with whom, in theory a.
least. race feeling was strong. YancI
appeared at the door of the bar anc
called to him, and as the boy slic
from the fence and ran toward hin
across the yard. the Scratch Hillel
sauntered forth to meet him.
Il reckon it's all right. Nevvy.' III
said, but we don't know nothing
about this here Captain Murrell-a:
he calls himself-though he seems
right clever sort Of gentleman; bu
we won't mention Belle Plain" With
this caution he led the way into thu
tavern and back through the bar tt
a low-ceilinged room where Murrel
and Slosson were already at table. I
was intolerably hot. and there fingered
in the heavy atmosphere of the place
stale and unappetizing odors. Onl!
Murrell attempted conversation, ant
he was not encouraged; and present.!
silence fell on the room except for the
rattle of dishes and the buzzing o
flies. When they had finished thu
stale odors and the heat drove then
QUICKLY into the bar again. where fo
a little time Hannibal sat on Yancyi
knee, by the door. Presently he slip
ped down and stole out into the yard
The June night was pulsng will
life. Above him bats darted in shor
circling flights. In the corn-field ant