Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-20
ESTABLISHED 1865.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Judge Meets the Situation.

ebration Of the formers rehabilitateo
credit had occupied the shank OF the
evening, the small hours Of the night
and that part Of the succeeding day
which the southwest described as soon
in the morning; and as the stone jug
in which were garnered the spoils ol
the highly confidential but entirely
misleading conversation which the
Judge had held with Mr.. Pegloe after
his return from Belle Plain, lost In
weight, it might have been observed
that he and Mr.. Mahaffy seemed to
gain in that nice sense Of equity which
should form the basis Of all human re-
lations. The judge W tched Mr.. Ma
haffy, and Mr. Maha y watched the
Judge, each trustfully placing the reg
ulation Of his private conduct in the
hands of his friend. as the one most
likely to be affected by the rectitude
Of his acts.
Probably so extensive consump-
ton Of Mr.. Pegloe's corn whisky had
never been accomplished with greater
highmindedness. They honorably spill,
the last glass, the judge scorning to
set up any technical claim to it as his
exclusive property; then he stared at
Mahaffy, while Mahaffy, dark-visaged
and forbidding, stared back at him.
The Judge sighed deeply. He took
up the jug and inverted it. A stray
drop or SO fell lanquidly into his glass.
Try squeezing it. Price," said Ma
haffy.
The Judge shook the jug, it gave
forth an empty sound, and he sighed
again; he attempted to peer into 1t,
closing one watery eye as he tilted 1t
toward the light.
81 wonder no Yankee has ever
thought to invent a jug with a glass
bottom" he observed.
What for?" asked Mahaffy.
You astonish me, Solomon" ex-
claimed the Judge. Coming as you
do from that section which invented
the wooden nutmeg, and an eight-day
clock that has been known to run as
much as four or five hours at stretch.
/ am aware the Yankees are an IN
genious people; I wonder none OF 'em
ever thought Of jug with glass bot
tom, so that when body holds 1t up
to the light he can see at a glance
whether 1t is empty or not. Do you
reckon Pegloe has sufficient confidence
to fill the jug again for us?"
But Mahaffy's expression indicated
no great confidence in Mr.. Pegloe's
confidence.
Credit" began the judge, lis pro-
verbally shy; still it may sometimes
be increased, like the muscles Of the
body and the mental faculties, by ju-
dicious use. I've always regarded Peg
loe as a cheap mind. I hope I have
done him an injustice" He put on
his hat, and tucking the jug under
his arm, went from the house.
Ten or fifteen minutes elapsed. Ma
haffy considered this good sign. 1t
didn't take long to say no, he refiec-
ted. Another ten or fifteen elapsed.
Mahaffy lost heart. Then there came
a hasty step beyond the door, it was
thrown violently open, and the judge
precipitated himself into the room. A
glance showed Mahaffy that he was
laboring under intense excitement.
Solomon, I bring shocking news.
God knows what the next few hours
may reveal" cried the Judge, mop
ping his brow. Miss Malroy has dis
appeared from Belle Plain. and Han
nibal has gone with her!"
Where have they gomez" asked Ma
haffy, and his long jaw dropped.
Would TO God I had an answer
ready for that question, Solomon"
answered the Judge with a melancholy
shake of the head. He gazed down on
his friend with an air Of large toler-
ance. Il am going to Belle Plain, but
you are too drunk. Sleep it off, Sol
mon, and join me when your brain is
clear and your legs steady"
Mahaffy jerked out an oath, and lift
ing himself off his chair, stood erect.
He Snatched UP his hat.
Stuff your pistols into your pockets
and come on, Price!" he said. and
. stalked toward the door.
He fitted up the street, and the judge
puffed and painted in his wake. They
gained the edge of the village with
out speech.
There is mystery and rascality
here!" said the judge.
What do you know, Price, and
where did you hear this?" Mahaffy
shot the question back over his shoul-
der.
AT Pegloe's, the Belle Plain over
seer had lust fetched the news into
town"
Again thy were silent. all their en-
ergies being absorbed by the physical
exertion they were making. The road
danced before their burning eyes, II
seemed to be uncoiling itself serpent
wise with hideous undulations. Mr.
Mahaffy was conscious that the Judge
of whom he caught a blurred vision
now at MS TlSnl sue, HOW dl HIS lell
was laboring painfully in the heat and
dust, the breath whistling from be-
tween his parched lips.
You're just ripe for apoplexy
Price" he snarled, moderating his
pace.
60 on" said the judge, with stolid
resolution.
Two miles out of the village they
came to a roadside spring, here they
naused for an instant Mahaffy scoop
ed ND handfuls of the clear water and
sucked it down greedily. The judge
dropped on his stomach and buried
his face in the tiny pool, gulping VI
great thirsty swallows. After a long
breathless instant he stood erect, with
drops of moisture clinging to his nose
and eyebrows. Mahaffy was dozer
naces down the road, hurrying forward
again with relentless vigor. The judge
sbuffied after him. The tracks they
left in the dust crossed and re-crosseG
the road, but presently the slantinl
lines of their advance Strengthened