Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-02
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What causes me to hesitate Is this:
my name is unfamiliar to your citi-
zens. You know their prejudices. Mr..
Saul; how would they regard me il 1
put myself forward"
Cant say how they would take It,"
Irejoined Mr.. Saul.
Again the judge gave him a fixed
scrutiny. Then ne shook him warmly
by the hand.
Think of what I have said; ponder
1t. sir. and let me have your answer
at another time" And he backed
from Mr.. Saul's presence with spectac-
ular politeness. "a cheap mind"
thought the Judge, as he hurried up
the street.
He brosched the subject to Mr.. Wes-
ley, the postmaster, to Mr.. Ellison the
gunsmith, to Mr.. Pegloe. employing
much the same formula he had used
with Mr.. Saul, and with results most
identical. He imagined there must
be some conspiracy afoot to keep him
out of the public eye. and in the end
he managed to lose his temper.
Hasn't Norton any friends?" he
demanded Of Pegloe. who's going
to be safe at this rate? We want to
let some law into west Tennessee.
hanging or two would clear the air.
His emotions became a rage that blew
through him like a gale. shaking him
to his center
Two mornings later he found where
1t had been placed under his door
during the night folded paper. 1t
contained a single line Of writing:
You talk too much. Shut up, or
you'll go where Norton went"
Now the Judge was accessible to
certain forms of fear. He was, for
instance, afraid of snakes-both
kinds-and mobs he had dreaded des-
perately since his Pleasantville ex-
perience; but beyond this. fear re-
mained an unexplored region to Slo-
cum Price, and as he examined the
scrawl a smile betokening supreme
satisfaction overspread his battered
features; he was agreeably affected
by the situation; indeed he was de-
lighted. His activities were being
recognized; he had made his impress
sion; the cutthroats had selected him
to threaten. Well, the damned ras-
Gals showed their good sense; he'd
grant them that! Swelling with pride.
ne carried the scrawl to Mahaffy.
They are forming their estimate Of
me, Solomon; shall have them on the
run yeti" he declared.
You are going out Of your way to
hunt trouble-as If you hadn't enough
at the best Of times, Price! Let these
people manage their own affairs, don't
you mix up in them," advised the
conservative Mahaffy.
The Judge drew himself up with an
air of lofty pride.
DO you think am going to be ST.
fenced. intimidated. by this sort Of
thing? No, sir! No, Solomon, the
stopper isn't made that will fit my
mouth"
A few moments later he burst in on
Mr.. Saul.
Glance at that, my friend!" he
cried, as he tossed the paper on the
clerks desk. "Eh. what?-no joke
about that, Mr.. Saul. found 1t under
my door this morning" Mr.. Saul
glanced at the penciled lines and drew
in his breath sharply. What do you
make of it, sir?" demanded the Judge
anxiously.
well. of course. you'll do as you
please. but I'd keep still"
You mean you regard this as an
authentic expression, sir and not as
the joke Of some irresponsible humor-
ist?"
Its authentic enough" said Mr..
Saul impatiently.
The judge gave sigh Of relief; he
could have Rugged the little clerk who
had put to rest certain miserable
doubts that had assailed him.
'Sir. l wish 1t known that I hold
the writer and his threats in contempt;
If l have given offense 1t Is to an ele-
ment l shall never seek to conciliate."
Mr. Saul was clearly divided between
his admiration for the judges cOur.
age and fear for his safety. "One
| thing Is proven. SIR" the judge went
on: the man who murdered that
poor boy Is in our midst; that point
can no longer be disputed. Now,
where are their fine-spun theories as
to how he crossed to the Arkansas
coast? What does their mass Of spec
ulation and conjecture amount to in
the face of this?" He breathed deep.
My God. sir, the murderer may be
the very next man you pass the time
of day with" Mr.. Saul shivered un-
comfortably. And the case in the
hands of that pin-headed fool Betts!"
The judge laughed derisively as he
bowed himself out. He left II with
Mr.. Saul to disseminate the news.
The judge strutted home with his
hat cooked over one eye. and his chest
expanded to such limits that 1t men,
aced all his waistcoat buttons. Per-
haps he was under observation. All.
let the cutthroats look their full at
him.
He established himself in his office.
He had scarcely done so when Mr..
Belts knocked at the door. The sher-
If came direct from Mr.. Saul and ar
rived out of breath, but the letter was
not mentioned by the judge. He spoke
OF the crops. the chance Of rain. and
the intricacies of county politics. The
sheriff withdrew mystified. wondering
why 1t was he had not felt at liberty
to broach the subject which was up
permost in his mind.
His place was taken by Mr.. Pegloe,
and on the heels of the tavern-keeper
came Mr.. Bowen. Judge Price re-
ceived them with condescension. but
back of the condescension was an air
of reserve that did not invite ques-
tions The judge discussed the extern
sion of the national roads with Mr..
PeglOe, and the religion of the Persian
fire. e-worshippers with Mr.. Bowen: he
Il a6 navar nansa and they re-