The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-11-22

q Jail raising was in progress. During
all the years of it's corporate dignity
the village had never boasted any
building where the evil doer could be
placed under restraint; hence had
arisen its peculiar habit of dealing
with crime; but leading citizen had
donated half an acre of ground lying
midway between the town and the
river. landing as a site Tor the proposed
structure, and the scattered popula
ton of the region had assembled for
the raising.
1--WE don't want to get there too
|early," explained the judge, as they
quilted the cabin. 1--WE want to miss
the work, but be on hand for the cele.
bration."
Il suppose we may confidently look
to you to favor us with few eloquent
words?" said Mr.. Mahaffy.
"And why not, Solomon asked the
Judge.
The opportunity he craved was not
denied him. The crowd was like most
southwestern crowds of the period and
no sooner did the judge appear than
there were clamorous demands for a
speech. He cast glance of triumph
lat Mahaffy, and nimbly mounted a con.
venient stump. He eXtolled the eli.
mate of middle Tennessee, the unsur.
passed fertility of the soil; he touch.
ed on the future that awaited Pleas.
antville; he apostrophized the Jail.
Presently the crowd drifted away in
the direction of the tavern. Hannibal
meantime had gone down to the river.
He haunted its banks as though he ex-
pected to see his Uncle Bob appear any
moment The Judge and Mahaffy had
mingled with the others in the hope of
free drinks, but in this hope there
lurked the germ Of bitter disappoint-
ment. After period of mental an
guish Mahaffy parted with his last
stray coin, and while his flask was be-
ing filled the Judge INDUCED in certain
winsome gallantries with the fat land
lady.
LA, Judge Price, how you do run
of her curls.
That's the charm of you, ma'am,"
said the judge. He leaned across the
bar and, sinking his voice to husky
whisper, asked, Would it be perfectly
convenient for you to extend me linn
tied credit"
"Now, Judge Price, you know heap
better than to ask me that" she an
swered, shaking her head.
"No offense, ma'em," said the Judge,
hiding his disappointment, and with
Mahaffy he quilted the bar.
The sudden noisy clamor of many
voices, high-pitched and excited, float
ed out to them under the hot sky. 81
wonder" began the judge, and
paused as he saw the crowd stream
into the road before the tavern. Then
a cloud of dust enveloped it, cloud
of dust that came from the trampling
of many pairs of feet. and that swept
toward them, thick and impenetrable,
and no higher than tall mans head
in the lifeless air. 81 wonder if we
missed anything" continued the Judge,
finishing what he had started to say.
The score or more of men were quite
near, and the Judge and Mahaffy made
out the tall figure of the sheriff in the
lead. And then the crowd, very ex-
cited, very dusty, very noisy and very
hot, flowed into the judges front yard.
For brief moment that gentleman
fancied Pleasantville had awakened to
a fitting sense of it's obligation to him
and that it was about to make amends
for its churlish lack of hospitality. He
rose from his chair and with a splen-
did ford gesture, swept off his hat
''It's the pussy fellow" cried voice.
"Oh, shut up-don't you think
know him!" retorted the sheriff tart
w.
Gentlemen" began the Judge
blandly.
Get the well rope!"
The judge was rather at loss prop
arly to interrupt these varied remarks
He was not long left in doubt. The
sheriff stepped to his side and dropped
/ heavy hand on his shoulder
MT. Slocum Price, or whatever your
lame is, your little game is up"
"Ain't he bold?" it was the woman's
'oice this time, and the fat landlady,
Ter curls awry and her plump breast
leaving unanimously, gained place
n the forefront of the crowd
Dear madam. this is an unexpect-i
ID pleasure!" said the judge. with his
land upon his heart.
II want my money!" shrieked the
andlady. Good money-not this
worthless trash!" she shook bill un-
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