Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-05
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ESTABLISHED 1865.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Shooting Match at Bosgs'

staggering blow, there began some
what furtive existence for himself, for
Solomon Mahaffy, and for the boy
They kept to little frequented byways,
and usually it was the early hours of
morning, or the cool of late afternoons
wher they took the road.
The heat Of silent middays found
them lounging beside shady pools,
where the ripple of fretted waters fill
ed the pauses in their talk. 1t was
then that the judge and Mahaffy ex-
changed views on literature and poll
tics. on religion and politics, on the
public debt and politics, on canals and
national roads and more politics. They
could and did honestly differ at great
length and with unflagging energy on
these vital topics, especially politics,
for they were as far apart mentally
as they were close together morally.
Mahaffy, morose and embittered, re-
garded the life they were living as an
unmixed hardship. The judge entered
upon it with infinite zest. He displayed
astonishing adaptability, while he
brought all the resources of a calm
and modest knowledge to bear on the
vexed problem of procuring sustenance
for himself and for his two compan-
ions.
ITO an old campaigner like me, moth
ing could be more delightful than this
holiday, coming as it does on the heels
of grinding professional activity" he
observed to Mahaffy. This is the
way our first parents lived-close to
nature, in touch with her gracious
beneficence! Sir, this experience is
singularly refreshing after twenty
years Of shaving at the desk. If any
man can grasp the possibilities of a
likely looking truck-patch at glance,
/ am that man, and as for getting
around in the dark and keeping the
lay of the land-well, 1 suppose it's
my military training. Jackson always
placed the highest value on such data
as furnished him. He leaned on me
more than any other man, Solomon"
I've heard he stood up pretty
straight" said Mahaffy affably. The
judges abandoned conduct distressed
him not little, but his remonstrances
had been in vain.
II consider that when society sub
tected me to the indignity Of arrest,
/ was relieved of all responsibility.
Injustice must bear it's own fruit" the
Judge had answered him sternly.
His beginnings had been modest
enough: a few ears of corn, few hills
of potatoes, and the like, had satisfied
him; then one night he appeared in
camp with two streaks of scarlet down
the side of his face.
Are you hurt, Price?" demanded
Mahaffy, betraying an anxiety of which
he was instantly ashamed.
Let me relieve your apprehension,
Solomon: it's only a trickle of stewed
fruit. 1 folded couple of pies and
put them in the crown of my hat"
explained the judge.
You mean you have been in some
bOdy's spring -house?"
1T was unlocked, Solomon. This
will he a warning to the owner.
consider have done him kindness"
Thus launched on a career of plum
der, the Judge very speedily accumu-
lated a water bucket-useful when one
wished to milk a cow-an AK from a
woodpile, a kettle from a summer
kitchen, a tin of soft soap, and an ex-
cellent blanket from a wash-line.
For the boy, Solomon" he said gen.
tly, when he caught Mahaffy's steady
disappearing glance fixed upon him
as he displayed this last trophy.
What sort of an example are you
setting him."
The world is full of examples I'd
not recommend, Solomon. One must
learn to discriminate. A body can no
more follow all the examples than he
can follow all the roads, and I submit
that the ends of morality can as well
he served in showing a child what he
should not do as in showing him what
he should. Indeed, l don't know but
it's the finer educational ideal"
Thereafter the judge went through
the land with an eye out for wash
lines.
I'm looking for a change of linen
for the boy, Solomon" he said. Let
me bring you a garment or two. En-
how few men you'll find of my build;
those last shirts got were tight
around the armholes and had no more
tail than a rabbit"
Two nights later Mr.. Mahaffy ac-
cepted a complete change of under
linen, but without visible sign OF
gratitude.
\ night later the judge disappeared
from camp, and after a prolonged alb
sence returned putting and painting
with three watermelons, which proved
to be green, since his activity had
been much in advance of the season
II don't suppose there is any greater
tax on human ingenuity than to carry
three watermelons!" he remarked.
The human structure is ideally
adapted to the transportation of two
il can be done with comfort but when
a body tackles three he finds that ma
ture herself is opposed to the proceed
ing! Well, am going back for bee
gum l saw in fence corner. Hannibal
will enjoy that-a child is always
wanting sweets"
In this fashion they Jared gaily
across the state, but as they nearec
the Mississippi the judge began tc
consider the future. His bright and
illuminating intelligence dealt with
this problem in all it's many -sidedness
Il wish you'd enter one of the learn
ed professions. SolomOn-have yor
ever thought of medicine" he inquir'
ed. Mr. Mahaffy laughed. But why
not. Solomon? There is nothing like
degree or a title-that always stamp:
a man. gives him standing"
What do l know about the human
system?"
Il should certainly hope you know
as much as the average doctor knows