The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-12
'Do You Mean We Aln't Going to Be
Pore Any Longer, Grandfather"

ToTe ANY Longer, SrandfatherT
mentary brooding silence. in which
his great arms drew the boy closer
against hts heart. Dear lad. since !
left you at Belle Plain a very aston
ishing knowledge has come to me.
1t was the Hand Of Providence see
1t now-that first brought US togeth.
er. You must not call me Judge any
more; l am your grandfather-your
mother was my daughter"
Hannibal instantly sat erect and
looked up at the Judge. his blue eyes
wide with amazement at this extraor
dinary statement.
1T Is a very strange story, Hanni
bal, and its links are not all in my
hands, but am sure because of what
already know. T. who thought that
not drop of my blood flowed in any
veins but my own, live again in you
Do you understand what l am telling
you? You are my own dear little
grandson" and the Judge looked
down with no uncertain love and pride
into the small face upturned to his.
Il am glad If you are my grand.
father, judge" said Hannibal very
gravely. Il always liked you"
Thank you, dear lad" responded
the Judge with equal gravity, and ther
as Hannibal nestled back In his grand.
fathers arms a single big tear drop
ped from the end of that gentleman's
prominent nose.
There will be many and great
changes In store for u.s." continued
the judge. 'Hbut as we met adversely
with dignity, l am sure We shall be
able to endure prosperity with equant
mity-only unworthy netures are af.
fected by what is at best superficial
and accidental. mean that the
blight of poverty is about to be lifted
from our lives"
DO you mean We amt going to be
pore any longer, grandfather" asked
Hannibal.
The Judge regarded him with In.
finite tenderness of expression; he
was profoundly moved.
Would you mind saying that again
dear lad?"
do you mean We amt going to be
pore any longer, grandfather" re-
peated Hannibal.
Il shall enjoy an adequate compe
tency which l am about to recover. IL
will be sufficient for the indulgence OF
those simple and intellectual tastes
propose to cultivate for the future"
In spite Of himself the Judge sighed
This was hardly In line with his
ideals, but the right to choose was nc
longer his. You will be very rich,
Hannibal. The Quintard lands-your
grandmother was Quintard-will be
yours; they run up into the hundred
OF thousands of acres hereabout; this
land Will be yours as soon as | can
establish your identity"
"Will Uncle Bob be rich too?" In.
quired Hannibal.
Certainly. How can he be poor
when we possess wealth. answered
the Judge.
You reckon he Will always live
with us, don't you. grandfather"
II would not have II otherwise. l
admire Mr.. lancy-he is simple and
direct. and fit for any company under
heaven except that of fools. His treat
ment of you has placed me under
everlasting obligations; he shall share
what We have. My one bitter, un-
ayailing regret Is that Solomon Ma
haffy will not be here 10 partake or
our altered fortunes" And the judge
sighed deeply
Uncle bob told me Mr. Mahaffy
got hurt In a duel. granGiather?" said
hannibal.
He was as inexperienced as
child In The use of firearms. and he
had 10 deal with scounGrels who had