Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-12
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The interior was ltcdh OiouSh
with it's rough walls, dirt floor anc
black, cavernous fireplace. A rude
clapboard table did duty as desk,
fact made plain by horn ink-well,
notary's seal, and a rack with hall
dozen quill pens. Above the desk was
a shelf of books in worn calf bindings
and before it a rickety chair. A shake
down bed in one corner Of the room
was tastefully screened from the pub
lie gaze by a tattered quilt.
boy, don't be afraid. Look on me
as a friend" urged the judge, who
lowered above him in the dim candle
light. Here's comfort without osten-
tation. Don't tell me you prefer the
tavern, with its corrupt associations!
Hannibal was silent, and the judge
after a brief moment Of irresolution'
threw open the door. Then he bent
toward the small stranger, bringing
his face close to the child's, while his
thick lips wreathed the 1selves In a
smile ingratiatingly genia.. you can't
look me squarely in the eye and say
YOU prefer the tavern to these schol-
arly surroundings" he said banter
ingly.
"I reckon I'll be glad to stop" an
swered Hannibal. The judge clapped
him playfully on the back.
such confidence is inspiring. Make
yourself perfectly at home. Are you
hungry"
Yes, sir. I amt had much to eat
today" replied Hannibal cautiously.
"I can OFFER you food then. What
do you say to cold fish," the judge
smacked his lips to impart relish to
the idea. 'I dare swear I can find
you some corn bread into the bargain.
Tea 1 haven't got. On the advice of
my physician, 1 don't use it. What
do you say-shall we light a fire and
warm the fish,"
"I low 1 could eat it cold"
mo trouble in the world to start
a fire. All we got to do is to go out
and pull a few palings off the fence, "
urged the judge.
1T will do all right just like it is"
said Hannibal.
Very good, them" cried the judge
gaily, and he began to assemble the
dainties he had enumerated. Here
you are!" he cleared his throat i'm
pressively, while benignity shone from
every feature of his face. "a moment
since you allowed me to think that you
were solvent to the extent Of fifty
cents" Hannibal looked puzzled.
The Judge dealt him friendly blow
on the back, then stood off and re-
garded him with a glance OF great
jocularity, his plump knuckles on his
hips and his arms akimbo. Il Won
der'-and his eyes assumed a specu-
lative squint-"I wonder If you could
be induced to make q temporary loan
of that fifty cents? The sum involved
is really such a ridiculous trifle don't
need to point out to you the absolute
moral certainty of my returning 1t at
an early date-say tomorrow morning;
say tomorrow afternoon at the latest;
say even the day after at the very out
side. Meantime, you shall be my
guest The landlady's son has found
my notarial seal an admirable play
thing-she has had to lick the little
devil twice for hooking tiny pens
and stationery are at your disposal
should you desire to communicate to
absent friends; you can have the run
of my library" the judge fairly trem-
bled in his eagerness. 1t was not the
loss Of his money that Hannibal most
feared, and the coin passed from his
possession into his hosts custody. AS
it dropped into the latter's great palm
he was visibly moved. His moist, blue
eyes became yet more watery, while
his battered old face assumed an ex-
preston indicating deep inward sat-
isfaction. Thank you, my boy! This
is one of those intrinsically trifiine
benefits which, conferred at the mo-
ment Of acute need, touch the hear
and tap the unfailing springs Of hu'
man gratitude must step down tc
the tavern--when 1 return, please
God, we shall know more of each
other" While he was still speaking
he had produced a jug from behint
the quilt that screened his bed, anc
now, bareheaded, and with every in
dication Of haste, took himself off into
the night.
Left alone, Hannibal gravely seated
himself at the table. What the judge:
larder lacked in variety it more thar
made up for in quantity, and the boy
was grateful for this fact He wa!
half famished, and the coarse, abun'
dant food was of the sort to which HI
was accustomed. Presently he heard
the judges heavy, shuffiing step a:
he came up the path from the road
and a moment later his gross bulk Of
body filled the doorway. Breathing
hard, and perspiring, the judge enter
ed the shanty, but his eagerness. to-
gether with his. shortness Of breath
kept him silent until he had estab
lished himself in a chair beside th'
table, with the jug and cracked glas!
at his elbow. Then, bland and smil
ing, he turned toward his guest.
will you join me?" he asked.
NO, sir. Please, I'd rather not,
said Hannibal.
do you mean that you don't lik'
good liquor?" demanded the judge
Not even with sugar and a dash o
water?-say. now, don't you like l
that way, my boy?"
"I amt learned to like it no ways,
said Hannibal.
You amaze me-well-well-th,
greater the joy to which you may rea
sonably aspire. The splendid posi-
bilities of youth are yours. My ten
derest regards, Hannibal" and h
nodded over the rim of the cracked
glass his shaking hand had carried t,
his lips Twice the glass was fillet