The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-15


ton of fatigue would keep him away
from the scene of action, and Yancy
loaned him his mule and cart for the
occasion. Yancy led the struggling
procession, with the boy trotting by
his side, his little sunburned fist
ciasped In the mans great hand
The squire's court held its infre-
Quent sittings in the best room OF the
Balaam homestead, a double cabin or
hewn logs. Here Scratch Hill was
gratified with a vi5w OF Mr.. Blount's
battered vi.aga
What's all this here fuss between
you and Bob Yancy?" demanded the
squire when he had administered the
oath to Blount. Mr. Blounts state
ment was brief and very much TO the
point.
he done give me the order from
the Judge Of the cot was to show
it to Bob Yancy-"
Got that order?" demanded the
squire sharply. With a smile, dam
aged, but clearly smile, Blount pro-
duced the order. "Hlnm-appfnted
guardeen of the boy" the squire was
presently heard to murmur. The
crowded room was very still now, and
more tnan one pair or eyes We're
turned pityingly in Yancy's direction.
When the long arm of the law
reached out from Fayetteville, where
there was a real Judge and q real
sheriff, 1t clothed itself with terrors.
We'll, Mr.. Blount, what did you do
with this here order?" asked the
squire.
i showed Yancy the order"
You lie, Dave Blount: you didnt!"
said Yancy. But I can't say as it
would have made 10 difference.
squire. He'd have taken his licking
just the same and I'd have had my
nevvy out of that buggy"
Didn't he say nothing about this
here order from the cot, Bob?"
There want much conversation,
squire. invited my nevvy to light
down, and then l snaked Dave BIount
out over the wheel"
Who struck the first blow?"
He did. He struck at me with his
buggy whip"
Squire Balaam removed his spec
tacles and leaned back In his chair.
Its the opinion of this here cot
that the whole question of assault
rests on whether Bob Yancy saw the
order. Bob Yancy swears he didn't
see 1t, while Dave Blount swears he
showed 1t to him. If Bob Yancy didn't
know OF the existence of the order he
was clearly actin on the idea that
Blount was stealin' his nevvy, and he
done what any one would have done
under the circumstances. II, on the
other hand, he knowed of this order
from the cot, he was not only guilty
OF assault, but he was guilty OF re-
sistin' an officer of the cot" The
squire paused impressively. His audi
ence drew a long breath.
Can a body drap a word here?"
1t was Uncle Sammy's thin voice that
cut into the silence.
Certainly, Uncle Sammy. This
here cot will always admire to listen
to you."
We'll, I'd like to say that l con.
slider that Fayetteville cot mighty of.
ficious with its orders. This part OF
the county won't take nothin' OF
Fayetteville! We don't interfere with
Fayetteville, and blamed If we'll let
Fayetteville interfere with u.s."
There was q murmur of approval.
Scratch Hill remembered the rifles in
Its hands and took comfort.
THE Fayetteville cot air a higher
cot than this, Uncle Sammy" ex.
plained the squire indulgently.
I'm aweer of that" snapped the
patriarch. I've seen hits steeple."
Air you finished, Uncle Sammy"
asked the squire deferentially.
Il low l am. But low that il
this here case is goin' again Bob
Yancy Id recommend him to go home
and not listen to no mo- foolishness."
"Mr. Yancy will oblige this cot by
setting still while finish this case"
said the squire with dignity. Mr..
Yancy has sworn to one thing, MIR.
Blount to another. Now the Yancys
air an old family In these parts; Mr..
Blount's folks air strangers. Conse-
quently," pursued the squire, some
what vindictively, I'VE amt had any
time In which to form an opinion OF
the Blounts; but for myself, I'm sus.
picious Of folks that keep movin'
about and who don't seem able to get
located permanent nowheres, who air
here today and away tomorrow. But
you can't say that OF the Yancys.
They air an old family in the country,
and naturally this cot feels Obliged
to accept a Yancy's word before the
word OF stranger. And, in view OF
the fact that the defendant did not
seek litigation, but was perfectly sat-
isfied to let matters rest where they