The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-08
CHAPTER xxx.
The Judge Receives & Letter,

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After he had parted with Solomon
Mahaffy the Judge applied himself
diligently to shaping that miracle
working document which he was pre-.
pairing as an offset to whatever risk
he ran In meeting Fentress. AS san.
guine as he was sanguinary he conf.
IDENTIFY expected to survive the en-.
counter. yet 1t was we'll to provide for
a possible emergency-had he not his
grandsons 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 q 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
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 a letter, II this was
what had brought him there, he felt
Mr.. Wesley had reached the limit OF
oficial courtesy and despatch.
Well, sir; II looks like you'd never
told us more than two-thirds OF the
TRUTH" said the postmaster. He sur.
veyed the judge curiousiy.
II 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, too"
agreed Mr.. Wesley. who Is Colonel
Slocum Price Turberville?"
The Judge started up from his
chair.
II have that honor" said he. bow.
Ing.
We'll. here's q 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 II. 1t clears up a point
that on and on has troubled me con.
siderable. I can only wonder I want
smarter"
What point. may ! askY'
why, about the time you hung out
your shingle here. some one wrote
letter to General Jackson. 1t was
mailed after night. a1d when seen II
In the morning I was clean beat. !
couldn't locate the handwriting, and
yet l kept that letter back q couple OF
days and give II all my spare time.
II amt that I'm one OF your spying
sort-there's nothing of the Yankee
about met"
Certainly not" agreed the Judge.
Candid, lUCge. I reckon you wrote
that letter. seeing this one comes un.
der frank from Washington. No. sir
Il couldn't make ont who was cor.
responding with the president, and II
worried me. not knowing, more than
anything I've had to contend against
since came into office. calculate
there amt q postmaster In the United
states takes q more personal interest
In the service than me. I've frequent.
iy set patrons right when they was
In doubt rs TO the date they had
mailed sucL and such q letter." AS
MIR. Wesley sometimes cancelled as
many as three or four stamps In @
single day he might have been par
doned his pride In a brain which thus
lightly dealt with the burden Of offi.
cial 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 I am greatly mistaken !
have my answer here" And with q
fine air. Of indifference he tossed the
letter on the table.
And do you know Old Hickory"
cried Mr.. Wesley.
why not? Does II surprise your
inquired the Judge. 1t was only his
Innate courtesy which restrained him
from kicking the postmaster into the
street. so intense was his desire 70
be rid OF him.
NO. don't know as II 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
U. w. NJ. de l.. Wesley's regards
there was considerable contention
over my getting this office; reckon
no amt forgot. There was speeches
made. understand the lie was passed
between two United States senators.
and that a quid OF tobacco was
throwed In anger" Having thus clear.
iy established the fact that he was q
more or less national character, MIR.
Wesley took himself OF.
When he hao disappeared from
sight down the street, the Judge close