The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-04-29


l am instructed to take my orders
from you. Win you kindly tell me my
masters real name?"
Smithers turned pale with anger
his fighting face grew as truculent as
a bulldogs, while Callomb stood glar
ing back at him like a second bulldog
but the judge knew that he was being
honestly and fearlessly accused. He
merely pointed to the door. The cap
tain turned on his heel and stalked
out of the place, and the Judge came
down the steps and crossed the street
to the courthouse, Five minutes later
he turned to the shirt-sleeved man who
was leaning on the bench and said in
his most judicial voice:
Mr. Sheriff, open court"
The next day the mail carrier
brought in a note for the temporary
Judge. His honor read it at recess and
fastened across to Hollman's Nam
moth Department Store. There, in
council with his masters, he asked in
structiOns. This was the note:
The Hon Asa Smithers.
Sir l arrived in this county yes
terday, and am prepared, if called as
a witness, to give to the grand jury
full and true particulars of the murder
Of Jesse Purvy and the killing of Aaron
Hollis. am willing to come under the
escort of my own kinsmen, or the mill
tiamen, as the court may advise.
THE requirement of any bodyguard
I deplore, but in meeting my legal OBJ
legations, do not regard it as neces.
sary or proper to walk into trap.
Respectfully,
SAMSON SOUTH"
Smithers looked perplexedly at
Judge HOLMAN.
Shall I have him Gomez" he in
CURED
HOLMAN threw the letter down on
his desk with burst of blasphemy:
Have him Gomez" he echoed. Hell
and damnation, no! What do we want
him to come here and spill the milk
for? When we get ready, we'll indict
him. Then, let your damned soldiers
go after him-as criminal, not
witness. After that, we'll continue this
case until these outsiders go away,
and we can operate to suit ourselves.
We don't fall for Samson South's
tricks. No, sir; you never got that
letter! 1t miscarried. Do you hear?
You never got it,"
Smithers nodded grudging acqui-
Most men would rather be
independent officials than collar-wear-
ers.
Out on Misery Samson South had
gladdened the soul of his uncle with
his return. The old man was mending,
and, for a long time, the two had
talked. The failing head of the clan
looked vainly for signs of degeneration
in his nephew, and, failing to find
them, was happy.
"Hev we decided, Samson" he in
luired, tibet ye was right in yer no
lion, bout goin' away?"
Samson sat refectively for while,
hen replied:
1--WE were both right, Uncle Spicer-
md both wrong. This is my place,
out if I'm to take up the leadership it |
must be in a different fashion. Changes
ire coming. We can't any longer stand
still"
Spicer South lighted his pipe. He,
90, in these last years, had seen in
he distance the crest of the oncoming
gave.
81 reckon there's right smart truth
0 that" he acknowledged. 1--WE been
tudyin' bout hit considerable myself of
ate. Thar's been sev'ral fellers
Trough the country talkin' coal an
imber an railroads-an' SIGH like"
Sally went to mill that Saturday,
nd with her rode Samson. There, be-
ides Vile McCager, he met Caleb
Wiley and several others. At first,
hey received him skeptically, but they
new of the visit to Puryy's store, and
hey were willing to admit that in part
t least he had erased the blot from
is escutcheon. Then, too, except for
ropped hair and a white skin, he had
ONE back as he had gone, in home
pun and hickory. There was nothing
ighfautin in his manners. In short,
ne impression was good.
Il reckon now that ye're back,
suggested McCager, IAN see
4 how yere Uncle Spicer is gettin'
long all right, I'll jest let the two of
e run things. I've done had enough"
was a simple fashion of resigning
regency, but eifectual.
Old Caleb, however, still insurgent
nd unconvinced, brought in minor
y report.
1--WE wants fghtin' men," he grum-
led, with the senile reiteration of his
&c, as he spat tobacco and beat rat
It on the mill floor with his long
ckory staff 1--WE don't want no de-
,rters."
Samson amt a deserter," defended
ally. There isn't one of you fit to
e his shoes" Sally and old Spicer
outh alone knew of her lovers letter
the circuit Judge, and they were .
edged to secrecy. :
Never mind, Sally!" 1t was Sam !
N himself who answered her. 81