The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-04-03
BY VAUGHAN KESTER
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guine as he was sanguinary he conf
IDENTIFY expected to survive the en-
counter, yet it was well to provide for
a possible emergency-had he not his
grandson's future to consider? While
thus occupied he saw the afternoon
stage arrive and depart from before
the City Tavern.
Half an hour later Mr.. Wesley. the
postmaster, came sauntering up the
street. In his hand he carried a let
ter.
'Howdy," he drawled, from just be-
yond the judges open door,
The judge glanced up, his quill pen
poised aloft.
Good evening, sir; won't you step
insidesa and be seated?" he asked gra-
ciously. His dealings with the United
States mail service were of the most
insignificant description, and in per-
sonally delivering letter, if this was
what had brought him there, he felt
Mr.. Wesley had reached the limit OF
official courtesy and despatch.
well, sir; it looks like you'd never
told us more than two-thirds of the
TRUTH" said the postmaster. He sur
Teyed the judge curiOusly.
Il am complimented by your opin-
ion of my veracity," responded that
gentleman promptly. Il consider two
thirds an enormously high per cent.
to have achieved"
There is something in that, toe"
agreed Mr.. Wesley. who is Colonel
Slocum Price Turberville?"
The judge started up from his
chair.
81 have that honor" said he, bow
ing.
well, here's a letter come in ad-
dressed like that, and as you've been
using part of the name l am willing
to assume you're legally entitled to
the rest of it. 1t clears up a point
that off and on has troubled me con-
siderable. can only wonder 1 want
smarter"
What point, may 1 ask?'
why, about the time you hung out
your single here, some one wrote a
letter to General Jackson. 1t was
mailed after night, and when l seen it
in the morning l was clean beat.
couldn't locate the handwriting, and
yet kept that letter back couple of
days and give it all my spare time.
1t amt that I'm one of your spying
sort-there's nothing of the Yankee
about mel"
Certainly not" agreed the judge.
Candid, judge. 1 reckon you wrote
that letter, seeing this one comes I'M
der a frank from Washington. No, sir
u couldn't make out who was cor
responding with the president, and it
worried me, not knowing, more than
anything I've had to contend against
since 1 came into Office. 1 calculate
there amt a postmaster in the United
States takes a more personal interest
in the service than me. I've frequent
ly set patrons right when they was
in doubt as to the date they had
mailed such and such a letter." As
Mr.. Wesley sometimes Cancelled as
many as three or four stamps in a
single day he might have been par
doned his pride in brain which thus
lightly dealt with the burden of Off
cial business. He surrendered the
letter with marked reluctance.
Your surmise is correct" said the
judge with dignity. 81 had occasion
to write my friend, General jackson,
and unless 1 am greatly mistaken l
have my answer here" And with a
fine air of indifference he tossed the
letter on the table.
And do you know Old Hickory"
cried Mr.. Wesley.
"Why not? Does it surprise your
innate courtesy which restrained him
from kicking the postmaster into the
street, so intense was his desire to
be rid of him.
mo, 1 don't know as it does, judge.
Naturally public man like him is in
n
politician can't afford to be too blame
particular. Well, next time you write
you might just send him my regards
G.. w. NJ. de L. Wesley's regards
there was considerable contention
over my getting this office; l reckon
he amt forgot. There was speeches
made, 1 understand the lie was passed
between two United States senators,
and that a quid of tobacco was
throwed in anger" Having thus clear
ly established the fact that he was a
more or less national character, sMr.
Wesley took himself OF.
When he had disappeared from
sight down the street, the judge closed
the door. Then he picked up the let
ter. For a long minute he held it in
his hand, uncertain, fearful, while his
mind slipped back into the past until
his inward searching vision ferreted
out a handsome soldierly figure-his
own.
That's what Jackson remembers II
he remembers anything!" he NUT
tered, as with trembling fingers he
broke the seal. Almost instantly a
smile oyerspread his battered fea-
lures. He hitched his chin higher and
squared his ponderous shoulders. Il
am not forgotten-no, damn it-no!"
he exulted under his breath. Recalls
me with sincere esteem and consid-
ers my services to the country as well
worthy of recognition" the judge
breathed deep. What would Mahary
find to say nowl Certainly this was
well calculated to disturb the sour
cynicism Of his friend. His bleared
eyes brimmed. After all his cropping
Il mad other things to think Of. This
must never happen againl" he told
himself remorsefully.
He was wide-awake now. Doubt
less Pegloe had put him TO bed. Well,
that had been thoughtful of Pegloe-
he would not forget him-the City
Tavern should continue to enjoy his
patronage. 1t would be something for
Pegloe to boast of that Judge Slocum
Price Turberville always made his
place headquarters when in Raleigh.
Feeling that he had already conferred
wealth and distinction on the fortu-
nate Pegloe the judge thrust his fat
legs over the side Of his bed and stood
erect. STOPPING he reached for his