The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-05-03
CHAPTER VIIl-(Continued).

early" explained the judge, as they
quilted the cabin. I'VE want to miss
the work, but be on hand for the
celebration
L suppose we may confidently look
! to you to favor us with a few elo
quent words?" said Mr. Mahaffy.
the Judge.
"And why not, Solomon" asked
The opportunity he craved was not
denied him. The crowd was like
most southwestern crowds of the pc
riod, and no sooner did the Judge ap-
pear than there were clamorous de-
mands for speech. He cast
! glance of triumph at Mahaffy, and
nimbly mounted convenient stump.
! He extolled the climate OF middle
! Tennessee, the unsurpassed fertility
! Of the soil; he touched on the future
/ that awaited PleasantviIle; he apos-
trophized the Jail.
! Presently the crowd drifted away
in the direction of the tavern Han
nibal meantime had gone down to the
river. He haunted it's banks as
| though he expected to see his Uncle
Bob appear any moment. The judge
and Mahaffy had mingled with the
others in the hope of free drinks, but
III this hope there Iurked the germ
Of a bitter disappointment. After a
! period of mental anguish Mahaffy
| parted with his last stray coin, and
while his flask was being filled the
! judge INDUCED in certain wtnsome
! gallantries with the fat landlady.
La, Judge Price, how you do run
on" she said with a coquettish toss
of her curls.
That's the charm OF you, ma am"
said the judge. He leaned across the
bar and, sinking his voice to a husky
whisper, asked; Would it be perfect
Iy convenient for you to extend me a
limited credit?"
Now, Judge Price, you know a
heap better than to ask me that"
she answered. shaking her head.
mo offense, ma'am," said the judge,
hiding his disappointment, and with
Mahaffy he quilted the bar
The sudden noisy cIamor of many
voices, high-pitched and excited, float
ed out to them under the hot sky. Il
wonder" began the judge, and
paused as he saw the crowd stream
into the road before the tavern. Then
cloud Of dust enveloped it, a cloud
OF dust that came from the tramping
Of many pairs of feet, and that swept
toward them, thick and impenetrable
toll
in the lifeless air. Il wonder if we
missed anything?" continued the
Judge, finishing what he had started
to say.
The score or more Of men were
quite near, and the judge and Ma
haffy made out the tall figure of the
sheriff in the lead And then the
crowd, very excited, very dusty. very
noisy and very hot, flowed into the
judges front yard. For a brief mo-
ment that gentleman fancied Pleas
antville had awakened to a fitting
sense Of its obligation to him and
that it was about to make amends
for its churlish lack OF hospitality. He
rose from his chair, and with a splen-
did ford gesture, swept off his hat.
Its the pussy feIlow!" cried a
voice.
"Oh, shut up-don't you think L
know him?" retorted the sheriff tart
ly.
Gentlemen" began the Judge
blandly.
Get the well-rope!"
The judge was rather at loss prop
erly to interpret these varied remarks.
He was not long left in doubt. The
sheriff STEPPED to his side and dropped
heavy hand on his shoulder.
Mr.. Slocum Price, or" whatever
your name is, your little game is up!"
Amt he bold?" it was the wom-
ans voice this time, and the fat land
lady, her curls awry and her plump
breast heaving unanimously, gained
place in the forefront Of the crowd
Dear madam, this is an unexpect-
ed pleasure!" said the judge, with his
hand upon his heart
L want my money!" shrieked the
landlady. Good money-not this
worthless trash!" she shook a bill I'M
der his nose. The Judge recognized
it as the one of which he had de-
spoiled Hannibal.
You have been catched passing