Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-21

the judge.
The opportunity ne craTed was not
! denied MIN. The crowd Tas ike
most southwestern crowds CT TIE Pc
ricd. and 40 sooner did the Judge aP'
pear than there we're clamoTous De
mands for speech. He cast. q
! glance Of triumph at Mahany, anu
nimbly mounted convenient stump
He extolled the climate OF middle
| Tennessee, the unsurpassed fertility
of the soil; he touched on the future
that awaited PleasantYilie; ne apes
trophized the jail.
Presently the crowd drltted away
il the direction OF the tavern. Han
nibal meantime mad gone down 10 the
river. He haunted its banks as
though he expected to see his Uncle
Bob appear any moment. The Judge
and Mahafy had mingled with the
others in the hope Of free drinks, but
in this hope there lurked the germ
Of a bitter disappointment. After &
period OF mental anguish MahaHy
parted with his last stray coin, and
while his flask was being filled the
Judge INDUCED in certain winsone
gallantries with the tat landlady.
La, Judge Price. how you do run
on" she said with ccquettish toss
of her curls.
That's the charm Of you, maam,"
said the Judge lie leaned across the
bar and, sinking his voice to husky
whisper, asked: Would 1t be perfect
ly convenient for you 10 extend NE
limited credit"
Now, Judge Price, you know
heap better than to ask me that
she answered. shaking her head.
NO oRense, ma'am," said the judge,
hiding his disappointment, and with
Mahaffy he quilted the bar.
The sudden noisy clamor or many
voices. high-pitched and excited, float
ed out TO them under the hot sky. II
wonder" began the judge, and
nausea as he saw the crowd stream
into the road before the tavern. Then
a cloud OF dust enyeloped 1t, a cloud
Of dust that came from the tralnping
OF many pairs of feet, and that swept
toward them, thick and impenetrable.
and no higher than tall mans head
In the lifeless air. II wonder II 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 Ma
hafry made out the tall figure OF the
sheriff In the lead. And then the
crowd, very excited. very dusty. very
noisy and very hot. flowed into the
Judges front yard. For brief mo-
ment that gentleman fancied Pleas
antville had awakened to fitting
sense OF its obligation to him and
that. 1t was about to make amends
for its churltsh lack OF hospitality. He
rose from his chair, and with splen-
did ford gesture. swept of his hat.
It's the pussy fellow" cried a
voice.
"Oh. shut up-dont you think |
know him." retorted the sheriff tart.
ly.
"Gentlemen-" began the judge
blandIy.
Get the well-rope!"
The Judge was rather ct loss prop.
erly to interpret these varied remarks.
He was not long left in doubt The
sherirr STEPPED to his side and dropped
heavy hand on his shoulder.
Mr.. Slocum Price, or whatever
your name is, your little game is up"
Amt be bold?" 1t was the wom-
ans voice this time, and the rat land
lady, her curls awry and her plump
breast heaving unanimously, gained
q place in the forefront OF the CROWD
Dear madam. this Is an unexpect.
ed pleasure" said the judge, with his
hand upon his heart.
II want my money!" shrieked the
landlady. Good money-not this
worthless trash!" she shook bill I'M
der his nose. The judge recognized
IL aS luG OuS VI WaASa iS aoa oS-
spoiled Hannibal.
You have been catched passing
counterfeit" said the sherifr. A light
broke on the Judge. a light that
stunned and dazzled.
II can explain"
Speak to them, Solonon-you
know how | came by the money!"
cried the Judge, clutching his friend
by the arm. Mahary opened his thin
lips, but the crowd drowned his voice
In roar.
A tall fellow shook long finger
under Mahaffy's nose.
You scoot!"
Mr.. Mahatfy seemed to hesitate.
Some one gave him shove and he
staggered forward STEP Before he
could recover himself the shove was
repeated.
"LoDe on out of here!" yelled the
tall fellow. Mahaffy was hurried to-
ward the road Twenty men were in
chase behind him. Then the woods