Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1912-05-02
CHAPTER vIII-(contInued).

we don't want to get tnere too
early" explained the Judge, as they
quilted the cabin. 1--WE want to miss
the work, but be on hand for the
celebration"
Il suppose we may confidently look
to you to favor us with few elo-
quent words?" said Mr.. Mahaffy.
the Judge.
And why not, Solomon" asked
The opportunity he craved was not
denied him. The crowd was like
most southwestern crowds of the pc
Rod, and no sooner did the Judge ap-
pear than there were clamorous de-
mands for speech. He cast
glance OF triumph at Mahafry, and
nimbly mounted a convenient stump.
He extolled the climate OF middle
Tennessee, the unsurpassed fertility
OF the soil; he touched on the future
that awaited Pleasantville; he apos-
trophized the jail
Presently the crowd drifted away
in the direction of the tavern. Han
nibal meantime had gone down to the
river. He haunted its banks as
though he expected 10 see his Uncle
Bob appear any moment. The Judge
and Mahaffy had mingled with the
others in the hope OF free drinks, but
in this hope there lurked the germ
of a bitter disappointment. After a
period of mental anguish Mahafry
parted with his last stray coin, and
while his flask was being filled the
Judge INDUCED in certain winsome
gallantries with the fat landlady.
LA, Judge Price, how you do run
on" she said with a coquettish toss
OF her curls.
That's the charm OF you, ma'am,"
said the Judge. He leaned across the
bar and sinking his voice to a husky
whisper, asked: Would 1t be perfect
ly convenient for you to extend me a
limited credit"
Nov, Judge Price, you know a
heap better than to ask me that!"
she answered shaking her head.
mo offense, ma'am," said the judge,
hiding his disappointment, and with
Mahaffy he quilted the bar. /
The sudden noisy clamor of many
voices, high-pitched and excited, float
ed out to them under the hot sky. 81
wonder" began the Judge, and
paused as he saw the crowd stream
into the road before the tavern. Then
a cloud OF dust enveloped It, a cloud
of dust that came from the tramping
of many pairs of feet, and that swept
toward them, thick and impenetrable,
and no higher than tall mans head
in the lifeless air. 81 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
haffy 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 a brief mo.
ment that gentleman fancied Pleas,
antVille had awakened to a fitting
sense of its obligation to him and
that 1t was about to make amends
for its churlish lack OF hospitality he
rose from his chair, and with splen
did ford gesture, swept off his hat
ITS the pussy fellow!" cried 6
voice.
"Oh, shut up-don't you think
know him?" retorted the sheriff tart
ly.
Gentlemen" began the judg,
blandly.
Get the well-rope!"
The Judge was rather at loss prop
erly to interpret these varied remarks
He was not long left in doubt. TIL
sheriff STEPPED to his side and droppet
heavy hand on his shoulder.
MIR. Slocum Price, or whateve
your name is, your little game is up!
Amt he bold?" 1t was the won
ans voice this time, and the fat lanC
lady, her curls awry and her plum
breast heaving unanimously, game
a place in the forefront OF the Grove
Dear madam, this is an unexpec
ed pleasurel" said the Judge, with hi
band upon his heart.