Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1912-05-23

Futhlessly uHIItarian. 4 stsn an
bounced the dingy structure Of loSa
nsarsst the roadside Q tavern.
From the door Of tho tavern the
ngurs Of q man emerged. He was
black-haired and bull-neoksd. and
there was about him q certain shas.
giness which recent toilet performed
at the horse trough had not served to
mitigate.
"Howdyf" he drawled.
Howdy?" responded Mr.. Yancy.
"6hall you stop heref" asked MUIR
roll. sinking his voice. Yanoy nodded.
Can you put us upf" inquired Muir
yeil. turning to the tavern-keeper.
reckon that's what I'm here for"
said Slosson. MurrelI glanced about
the empty yard. Slack" observed
Slosson languidly. YES, sir, slack's
the only name for it." 1t was under
stood he referred to the state OF trade.
He looked from one to the other OF
the two men. AS his eyes rested on
Murrell, that gentleman raised the
first three fingers of his right hand.
The gesture was ever so little, yet it
seemed to have q tonic effect on Mr..
Slosson. What might have developed
into q smile had he not Immediately
suppressed 1t, twisted his bearded
lips as he made an answering move
ment. "Eph, come here, you!" Slos-
son raised his voice. This call
brought a half-grown black boy from
about a corner OF the tavern, to whom
Murrell relinquished his horse.
Lets liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder, moving or In the direo-
ton Of the bar.
Come on, Nevvy!" said Yancy fol-
lowing. and they all entered the tav-
ern.
Well. here's to the best OF good
luck!" said Murrell, as he raised his
glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Yancy.
Murrell pulled out a roll of bills, one
OF which he tossed on the bar. Then
after q moments hesitation he de-
tached second bill from the roll and
turned to Hannibal.
Here, youngster-a present for
you," he said good-naturedly. Hanni-
bal, embarrassed by the unexpected
gift. edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
THANK you. SIR" said the boy.
Lets have another drink" sug-
gested Murrell.
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard. He still held the bill in his
hand. for he did not quite know how
to dispose OF his great wealth. After
debating this matter for a moment he
knotted It carefully IN one corner Of
his handkerchief.
In the tavern the three men were
drinking-Murrell with the idea that
the more Yancy came under the in
f1uence Of Blossoms corn whisky the
easier his speculation would be man.
aged. Mr.. Yancy ON his part believed
that II Murrell went to bed reason
ably drunk he would sleep late and
give him the opportunity he coveted.
to quit the tavern unobserved at
break Of day.
when yo' get to feelin' like sleep,
young boss. Mas'r Slosson he says 1
show yo' to yo' chamber" It was
Slosson's boy Eph.
Eyes, you can show me my cham
ber," Hannibal said.
Eph secured q tin candle-stisk with
half-burnt candle in 1t and led the
way into the passage back Of the bar.
They mounted a fight OF stairs and
passed down narrow hall. This
brought them to the back OF the
building. and Eph pushed open the
door ON his right
This hesh's yo' chamber" he
said. and preceding his companion in
to the room. placed the candle on q
chair.
The moon was rising and Hannibal
went to the open window and glanced
out. For a moment he considered the
night, not unaffected by its beauty,
then, turning from the window, he
moved his bundle and rife to the
foot Of the bed, where they would be
out of his way, kicked or his trousers.
blew out the candle and lay down.
Yaucy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Murrell was bent on getting him
drunk, and suspicion mounted darkIy
to his brain.
Have drink with mel" cried Slos-
son, giving way to drunken laughter.
The captains dropped out, and l
low IT'S about time To- these here
festivities to come tn An end Pm