Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-08
ESTABLISHED 1865.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The judge Receives q. Letter.

After he mad parted WIFI Soioihoii
Mahafry the judge applied himself du-
igently to shaping that miracle-work-
ing document which he was preparing
as an offset to whatever risk he ran
in meeting Fentress. AS sanguine as
he was sanguinary he confidently eN-
pected to survive the encounter, yet II
was well to provide for a possible
emergency-hadh he not his grandson's
future to consider? While thus occu-
pied he saw the afternoon stage arrive
and depart from before the City Tav-
ern.
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.
Good evening, sir; won't you step
inside 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
veyed the judge curiously.
Il am complimented by your opinion
of my veracity," responded that gen-
tleman promptly. Il consider two
third an enormously high per cent to
have achieved"
There is something in that, too"
agreed Mr.. Wesley. Who Is Colonel
Slocum Price Turberville?"
The judge started up from his chair.
Il have that honor" said he, bow
ing.
We'll, here's a letter come in ad-
dressed like that, and as you've been
using part of the name I am willing to
assume you're legally entitled to the
rest of It, 1t clears up point that on
and on has troubled me considerable.
l can only wonder I want smarter"
What point, may / ask?'
why. about the time you hung out
your shingle here, some one wrote
letter to General Jackson. 1t was mall
ed after night, and when seen 1t In
the morning l was clean beat. 1
couldn't locate the handwriting and
yet I kept that deter back couple OF
days and gave 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.
"Candidly, Judge, reckon you wrote
that letter, seeing this one comes un-
der a. frank from Washington. No,
sir-I couldn't make out who was cor
responding with the president and 1t
anything I've had to contend against
since came into office. l calculate
there amt a postmaster in the United
States takes a more personal interest
in the service than me. I've frequent
" set patrons right when they was In
doubt as to the date they had mailed
such and such a letter" AS Mr.. Wes-
lev sometimes Cancelled as many as
three or four stamps in a single day
he might have been pardoned his pride
in a brain which thus lightly dealt
with the burden Of official business.
He surrendered the letter with marked
reluctance.
Your surmise is correct" said the
Judge with dignity. Il had occasion
to write my friend, General Jackson,
and unless 1 am greatly mistaken
have my answer here" And with a
fine air of indifference he tossed the
letter on the table.
And do you know Old Hickccy?'
cried Mr.. Wesley.
Why not? Does it surprise you?'
inquired the judge. 1t was only his
innate courtesy which restrained him
from kicking the postmaster into the
street. so intense was his desire to
he rid Of him.
No, I don't know as 1t does, judge.
Naturally a public man like him Is In
the way Of meeting with all sorts. A
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; reckon he
amt forgot. There was speeches
made: l understand the lie was pass
ed between two United States sem
ators and that a quid Of tobacco was
thrown in anger" Having thus clear
IL established the fact that he was
a more or less ma nal character, Mr.
Wesley took himself off.
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 1t in
his hand, uncertain, fearful, while
his mind slipped back into the past un-
til his inward searching vision ferret
ed out a handsome soldierly figure
his own.
That's what Jackson remembers
if he remembers anything!" he NUT
tered: as with trembling fingers he
broke the seal. Almost instantly q
smile overspread his battered fea-
lures. He hitched his chin higher and
squared his ponderous shoulders. 81
am not forgotten-no, damn it-no!'
he exulted under his breath. recalls
me with sincere esteem and considers
my service to the country as well
worthy of recognition" the judge
breathed deep. What would Mahaff!
find to say now! Certainly this was
we'll calculated to disturb the soul
cynicism of his friend. His bleareo
eyes brimmed. After all his cropping
he had touched hands with the reali-
ties at last! Even Federal judgeship
though not an office of the first repute
in the south, had its dignity it signi-
fled something. He would make Sol
omon his clerk! The judge reached
for his hat. Mahaffy must know al
once that fortune had mended fol
then--SWhy, at that moment he was
,o.,.u,N In raoaipt of an incOmei