Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-24
CHAPTER XII.
The shooting.Match at soges'.

The Shootln9-Mstcn dt 6og9S.
The judges faith in the reasonable.
ness or mankind having received "a
.Laggering blow, there began some
that furtive existence for himself,
for Solomon Mahaffy, and for the boy.
They kept to little trequented byways,
and usually it was the early hours OF
he morning, or the cool OF late after
Moons, when they took the road.
4 certain hot afternoon brought
them into the shaded main street OF
struggling village. Near the door OF
the principal building, frame tavern,
4 man was seated, with his feet on
the HORSEBACK. There was no other
sign Of human occupancy.
How do you do, sir" said the
Judge, hating before this solitary in
diyidual whom he conjectured to he
the landlord. What's the name OF
this busting metropolis?' continued
the Judge, cooking his head on one
side.
AS he spoke, Bruce Darlington APP
peared in the tavern door; pauslng
there, he glanced curiously at the
shabby wayfarers.
This is Raleigh. in Shelby county
Tennessee said the landlord.
Are you the voice from the tomb
inquired the judge, in q tone OF play
full sarcasm.
Darlington, amused, sauntered to-
ward him.
That's one for you, Mr.. Pegloe!"
he said.
Il am charmed to meet gentleman
whose spirit of appreciation shows
his familiarity with a literary allu-
sion" said the judge, bowling.
I'VE amt so dead as we look" said
Pegloe. Just you keep on to Boggs'
race-track, straight down the road,
and you'll find that out-everybody's
there to the hoss-racing and shooting
match. reckon you've missed the
hoss-racing. but you'll be in time for
the shooting. Why amt you there,
Mr.. Carrington?"
I'm going now, Mr.. PeSloe, an
swered Darlington, as he followed thR
judge. who, with MahalFy and the boy,
had moved off,.
"Better stop at Boggs!" Pegloe
called after them.
But the judge had already formed
his decision. HorGc-rGcing and shoot
ing matches were suggestive OF that
progressive spirit, the absence OF
which he had so much lamenteC q;
the Jail raising at Pleasantville. Mem
phIs was their objective point, III,
Boggs' became n side issue OF i'm
portance. They had gained the edge
of the village when Darlington over
took them. He stepped to llannibars
side.
Here, let me carry that long rifle,
SON." he said Hannibal looked up
into his face, and yielded the piece
without a word. Darlington balanced
1t on his big palm. Il reckon 1t can
shoot-these old guns are hard TO
beat!' he observed.
She's the closest shooting rifle l
ever sighted" said Hannibal prompt
ly.
Darlington laughed.
There was 4 rusty name-plate Oh
the stock Of the old sporting rifle;
this caught Carrington's eye.
Whats the name here? Oh, Tur-
bervilIe."
The Judge, a step or two in ad-
vance. wheeled in his tracks with
startling suddenness.
WHAT" he faltered. and his face
was ashen.
Nothing, was reading the name
here; it is yours, sir, I SUPPOSE" said
Darlington.
NO, sir-no: my name Is Price
Sloclm Price. Observation-Disclosures
Vile" he muttered thickly, staring
stupidity at Darlington.
It's not q common name; you seem
to have heard it before?" said the lat
ter.
A spasm OF pain passed over The
judges face.
live heard it. The name is on
the rifle. you say?"
Here on the stock, yes
The Judge took the gun and exam
ined it in silence.
where did you get this rifle, Han
nibal?" be at length asked brokenly.
II fetched it away from the Barony,
sir; Mr.. Crenshaw said 1 might have
it."
The judge gave great start. and a
| hoarse, inarticulate murmur stole
from between his twitching lips.
What do you know OF the Barony,
Hannibal"
~ lived at the Barony once, until
| Uncle Bob took me to Scratch Hill
to be with him." said Hannibal.
"You-you lived at the Barony?"
repeated the judge, and dull wonder
struck through his tone. How long
ago-when?" he continued.
Il don't know how long 1t were,
but until Uncle Bob carried me away