Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-09
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VAUGHAN KESTER GAW2ySgN'
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CHAPTER XVI
The Portal Of Hope.

are q warm-hearted people, SIT;
prosperous people, and a patriotic
people with an unstinted love Of coun-
try. A people full Of rugged virtues
engaged in carving a great state out
of the indulgent bosom of Nature. 1
like the size Of their whisky glasses;
I like the stuff that goes into them; l
despise a section that separates It's
gallons into too many glasses. Show
me a community that does that, and
I'll show you a community rapidly
tending toward a low scale Of living.
I'd like to hang out my shingle here
and practise law"
The Judge and Mr. Mahaffy were
camped in the woods between Boggs
and Raleigh. Betty had carried Han
nibal off to spend the night at Belle
Plain. Darlington had disappeared
with Charley Norton; but the judge
and Mahaffy had fingered in the
meadow until the last refreshment
booth struck its colors to the twilight,
and they had not fingered in vain. The
Judge threw himself at full length on
the ground, and Mahaffy dropped at
his side. About them, in the ruddy
glow of their campfire, rose the dark
wall Of the forest.
IT crave opportunity Solomon-the
Endorsement Of my own class. feel
that shall have it here" resumed
the judge pensively
But Mahaffy was sad in his JOY. So
ber in his incipient drunkenness. The
same handsome treatment which the
Judge commenced, had been as free
" rendered him, yet he saw the end
of all such hospitality. This was the
worm in the bud. The judge, how
ever, was an eager idealist; he still
dreamed of Utopia, he still believed in
millenniums. Mahaffy didn't and
couldn't. Memory was the scarecrow
I'm the garden Of his hopes-you could
wear out your welcome anywhere. In
the end the world reckoned your
cost, and unless you were prepared to
make some sort of return for its boun-
ty, the cold shoulder came to be your
portion instead of the warm hand
clasp.
Hannibal has found friends among
people of the first Importance. 1 have
made it my business to inquire into
their standing, and find that young
lady is heiress to a cool half million
Think of that. Solomon-think OF
that! 1 never saw anything more
beautiful than her manifestation OF
regard for my protege-"
And you made 1t your business
Mr.. Price, to do your very damnedest
to ruin his chances" said Mahaffy,
with sudden heat.
II ruin his chances?-I, sir? l
consider that 1 helped his chances
immeasurably.
"All right, then. you helped his
chances-only you didn't, Price!"
Am I to understand, Solomon, that
YOU regard my interest in the boy as
harmful" inquired the judge. In
tone of shocked surprise.
II regard it as calamity" said
Mahaffy, with cruel candor.
Equally a calamity. Mr.. Price
YOU don't seem able TO grasp just
what we look like"
THE minds the only measure Of
the man. Solomon. If anybotly can
talk to me and be unaware that they
are conversing with a gentleman, all
can say is their experience has been
as pitiable as their intelligence Is
meager. But 1t hurts me when you
intimate that I stand in the way Of
the boys opportunity"
Price, what do you suppose we
look like-you and I?'
In a general way, Solomon, am
conscious that our appeal is to the
brain rather than the eye" answered
the judge. with dignity.
Il reckon even you couldn't do a
much lower trick than use the boy as
a stepping stone" pursued Mahaffy.
II don't see how you have the
heart to charge me with such a pur-
pose-I don't indeed Solomon" The
iudge spoke with deep feeling; he was
really hurt.
We'll, you let the boy have his
chance. and don't you stick in your
broken oar" cried Mahaffy fiercely.
The judge rolled over on his back,
and stared up at the heavens.
This is a new aspect of your YER
satile nature, Solomon. Must 1 regard
YOU as a personally emancipated
moral influence, not committed to the
straight and narrow path yourself
but still close enough to it to keep my
feet from straying?" he at length de-
manded.
Mahaffy having spoken his mind
preserved stony silence.
The judge got up and replenished
the campfire, which had burnt low
then squatting before II, he peered
into the flames
You'll not deny, Solomon, that
Miss Malroy exhibited a real affection
for Hannibal" he began.
Now don't you try to borrow mo-
ney Of her. Price," said Mahaffy. re-
turning to the attack
"Solomon-Solomon- can you:
"That'll be your next move. Now
let her alone; let Hannibal have his
luck as 1t comes TO him."
you seem to forget, sir, that | still
bear the name of gentleman" saif
the judge.
Mahaffy gave way to acid merri
ment.
We'll, see that you are not tempted
to forget that" he observed.
IF didn't know your sterling
qualities. Solomon. and pay homage
to 'em. might be tempted to take
offense." said the judge.
It's like pouring water on duck:
hack to talk to you. Price: nothing
strikes in
"On the contrary, l am at all time!
,aoJ1, IN raacnn from any