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THE SUNNY SOUTH:
JERKUM FAMILY;
—OB —
Lav and the JPonpois Mire.
By J. R. MU8ICK.
CHAPTER XIX.
The reader ha* perhaps come to the conclu
sion that we bare neglected Walter Granby.
We left him at the close of our fourth chapter tn
a critical stage of brain fever.
All through the long days that Walter tossed
in wild delirum, his patient, loving, tender little
vrife was at his bedside. The physician. Dr.
Mantews, attended him with constant care, and
did all that science and skill could to save him.
The doctor bad heard of the arrogance and
cruelty of Judge Jerkum, and his sympathies
were enlisted tor his patient
The pompous corruption of Judge Jerkum was
a constant theme for Dr. Mantews. as well as
many other good people of Wtntersvllte.
Bertha Granby, with her baby on her lap, sat
day and night by the side of herfiusband.
All the fond hopes and golden plans of her
youth were crushed. The proud desire of seeing
her young husband occupy a res|iectable position
at the bar was blasted. Nothing could be hoped
for at present.
Judge Jerkum was a an enemy of her husband,
and as such would frown success and clients
away from him.
All through his wild dellrum, Walter raved of
babbling brooks in which to bathe his heated
brow, but Judge Jerkum and Ills invincible
brother. Jlppy.Yield him back. He struggled In
vain to reaoh'them. Once tlipre.once bathe his
heated brow and burning temples in the cool
water, and he would be himself again: but .Tip
py. with a fiendish leer, and the court,' with a
hellish frown, held him back.
He raved of tyrany. and said that the blood of
our grandfathers had been shed in vain, ne
saw all through the horrors of his delirum, .Tippy
Jerkum grinning and plucking, plucking, pluck
ing at the tuft of stubby beard, that grew on the
Chin of that personage. The bullet-headed
Sheriff, with the broad grin on Ids face, would
approach at an order from the Incorruptible,
whose throne was on the wall, or dancing In
space, and snatch from him the cooling draft
with which he was about to slake Ids burning
thirst.
In vain poor Bertha tried to reason her hus
band out of Ids delirum. There was no one
near, she would oft repeat, save herself and
their dear little baby. p
“Go away, go away!” he would say to them.
"They will torture you, as they do me. Judge
Jerkum has cursed me and mine. They will
starve von both before my eyes, while I am
chained and helpless here.”
After several weary days of anxiety, there
came a change. Dr. Mantews said It was for the
better. His judgment proved correct; for after
a nlgbt of peaceful and quiet slumber the pa
tient awoke, much better, the delirum gone, but
verv weak.
“Mv dear husband, you feel better now. do
? ’0U not?” said the fond wife, her heart beating
or joy as she leaned over the conch.
•‘I can not sav, Bertha." he replied feebly, “all
the past few days has been a blank. I can not
remember."
“Do not try, dear. Do you wish to see little
Edith?”
He nodded and she brought the. bnbv. laugh
ing, dimpled and plump, and held it to liim to
kiss.
“Thank God!” he said at sight of It. “I
thought It was tortured and starved like I have
been.”
“She Is well and hearty, my dear, and as mer
ry as a cricket.”
‘To verrify the assertion of the mother, the
bnbv clapped its dimpled hands and screamed
with delight.
Froinlhis hour Walter began to recover rap
idly. f >r more rapidly than his physician had
dared hope.
In threp or four days be was able to sit up.
Then cautiously bis gentle wife broke tn him the
exciting news of Agues Nelson’s abduction.
lb* listened carefully and without the least
emotion.
“I understand It all. my darling.” lie said, after
a moment's reflection. “Harman Parker and
the Jerknms are in a close place. If ever this
case comes to trial. T believe we will develop
enough to send both Parker and Jippv Jerkum
to the penitentiary. It may even implicate the
Judge.”
“Can they he so bad?” asked the sweet little
woman.
‘ My dear, there Is nothing the Jerkums am
I *'But liowcouid heflnd her, if her^aptors did ' nmm and i knowVo..P.'*« ViilteS’e^ugh to do Were it landul we mightsay weadore,01ta.AU oJcashms to%al%e to theto td"
underground prisons of which she
electric light.
The carriage rumbled on, on. and on as though
their Journey would never come to an end.
The sun passed the meridian, and began to
decline, still on they thundered to some place
poor Agnes had no Idea where. v
If she made a move iu any direction, the
heard or lead.
Henry and her friends might search
mill a thousand times, and never discover the
entrance to her prison. She, being confined in
the very bowels of the hill, could not make lier
voice heard, though it were ten thousand times
Monster was on her. Sitting more powerful. She was enclosed tn a living
do ii u J* r » Motionless as if he had been tomb, and dead to all the glorious, bright world
"'?•«. a nd apparently without, above. It would be the merest accident if her
even moving his lips, he said: nrison was discovered
1, 1 .* 11 ' ™‘*\Pfrf« cU y * u, l. and you shall P 8he might pass away her blooming woman-
J^ ut , If ^ r< iV Make any attempt to hood in that dungeon. The outer world, with
escape, or scream, 1 shall be compelled to bind all-lts beauty, might never again greet her vls-
ThKS'hL. ! ion. The songs of happy birds might never
,ro ® those lips of more come to her ears. All around was that
stone, had the effect to dismay the girl. She re- constant, dead, deafening silence of the tomb.
She sobbed for two orthree hours, then know
ing the danger of such thoughts tried to change
them for the better, and finally fell asleep.
She supposed she had slept some hours, when
she awoke. Some one was inserting a key in the
clumsy iron door of her prison.
The first impulse of Agnes was to spring from
the bed: but her head felt heavy, her temples
were aching, aud her entire frame seemed too
weak to move; so she lay quiet on the bed.
The door swung slowly open and the woman
who was her Jailor eutered. She bore a tray
.l 1 ’ 'vL^* ,0r mercy ’ a,,d I thSw second 1 bShUa^ wiKis eleg^It uo“d fomieToff with bird "older and ginger bread
beg to be the wife of my son.” tlitrty-aecona oiruiaay, wiui mis elegant gom <r~ — f aI)n i 0 hrandv after which the
“Sir, leave me.” she cried pointing to the headed caue. Aud as you receive it, let rue in- | "2*wm
door. “Go and lock me up alone. Imprison- form you that tribute comes fromnofrowu-
ment. solitude, and isolation have charms com
pared to your presence.”
I’ll go but you shall be the wife of James Par
ker, I swear it!” he cried as he started for the
door.
“Never!” was the firm reply as he retired.
tired as far as she eouid from the monster into
a corner of the carriage, aud wept in alienee.
She uttered a short mental prayer to heaven
tor aid, and felt that Providence would send
some one to her rescue.
The sun was almost down when the carriage
descending a long hill, stopped abruptly.
“Now, miss, we are here,’’said the stone man.
not even yet attempting to move. “You will
her to stay here a few days.”
The carriage door was thrown open and a
flood of light from the setting sun thrown In. „„„
The man of stone slowly unfolded his arms and similar to the one of the night before, which she •
crept from the carriage. He conversed with placed on the table. Theu examining the lamps
some other persons outside the carriage, and fn the chandaller to see If they would give suffl-
amongthem Agnes could detect a woman’s I dent light during the day, she took up,tray
v . T .... number one and retired. The first impulse of
Is everything ready, Jane? asked the the girl was to implore her to remain. Thelone-
stone companion. ..... . llness of that horrible dungeon would sur* fy
Yes. Tom, tlifl room is fitted up as neat as a drive her mad; but site allowed the womai* to
10m kin he; she needn t grumble unless she go, aud lay there on the bed gazing In a seml-
t , .jK?. ! i ,e8 80 d,,e 1 ! e or Af! r j ,ev a pallis o I helpless manner at the tray. She also allowed
*•»«.«» woman roughly replied. ^ her eyes to wander about the room. The roof
AT The first sound of a female voice the girl s overhead was made of large hewu stone aud
hopes arose. A woman would surely not see arched
one of her own sex imprisoned or cruelly treat-1 8 he wondered why it was made thus. She
ed. But tile tones of that heartless, soulless wondered why anyone had gone to the trouble
voice was enough to sink her hopes far below to make It at all. Had the place once been the
zero - I haunt of a den of robbers, about whom so nitrify
must liev no puttin' on airs about us.” 1 rumn ?
Agnes alighted from the carriage. She was , Her better Judgment told her it would be test
In a strange, wild, hilly country, where she had to get up and eat her breakfast, but her inclina-
never been before. ttons were to He on the bed and gaze. Her eyes
They were In a narrow valley, with towering wandered about the rude, stone, white-washed,
hills on every side, covered wliii a heavygrowth ceiling until they rested on a place where a knot
of timber and hazel. They had paused In frout or little piece of stone had been broken out. It
°T * n °Jd mill-building built of stone, which had had been done since the walls were whitewashed,
evidently been deserted for years. The large, 1 8 |, e reasoned, for the niche left was dark, and
heavy, foldingdoors of the front entrance swung . ajj 'round it white.
••mv near, mere is ueming me .perKiims and Him u-m in Hie aet of going when Agnes 1
r.-r’mrs will not do to accomplish their ambitiously
; ’v;/', ' "3 ’^Lwl^ye said the woman,
. i .ten. mv husband. If it Is true that Judge
Jerkum Is so had. why lias lie so many friends
among good people?”
“Reputation Is often obtained without merit,
mv dear, and this Is elearly a case of it. Some
persons become dazed at any public position.
They entertain the foolish idea that no man ean
he bad who holds an office. Tt is on the same
principle that a monarch can do no wrong. Some
peonle pretend to think Judge Jerkum Incor
ruptible. while others from fear are forced to
bow to Ills will.”
“Whv have people such Ideas?” asked the
little woman.
“The idea of familv relation and Mood we in
herit from our English aneestrv. Tt may have
followed ns down so mnnv generations that our
aneestrv Is lost, still It is there with some. Suoli
persons believe that a man must he of eertaln
family or location to he fitted for certain posi
tions: that scholars can only come from a family
of scholars: that statesmen and lodges must be
the sons of statesmen and ludges. In other
words, that genius Is hnrn. not made.”
“Tstlie Idea a good one?”
“Tt Is ruinous to American liberties and prin
ciples. Tt Is the verv Idea tn another form, otir
revolutionary fathers fonglit to put down. Few
people now seem to remember the original
American idea of man."
'■Whit Is It. mv dear?”
“The American Idea of man Is. that one Is as
good as another, regardless of wealth, favor,
office, or familv relations, as long ns he arts the
part of a gentleman and exercises to the full
extent the facilities God lias given him.”
“Are von not growing weary of conversing so
lone?” asked the little wife.
“No. mv darling; In fact I seem to grow
Stronger; httf we have wandered far from the
siihleet. Are they making any great efforts to
discover Agnes?”
“Yes. Henrv Waters and her uncle, from Mttl-
berrv farm, are out all the time. They sent In
cheering word a dav or two ago.”
“I trust the poor girl may he returned un
harmed. and that we mavget evidence sufficient
to bring all the scoundrels to Instlee.”
having her arm gently about his shoulder, she
asked:
“Mv dear, when yon get well are you going to
resume your business?”
It was the question that had concerned her
more than anv other.
“Yes. mv darling." he answered with a smile.
“Since T have heen convalescent. Ivtne here on
this bed. T have thought a great deal on the fu
ture and the treatment I have received at the
hands of Judge Jerkum. T have determined to
po In with a will, to fear nothing, know T am
right, strike boldlv and fearlpsslv. and bring his
iordsliln ‘to time ’ even If T have to reverse every
ease tn the Supreme court.”
“Will vntir weapons he effective against the
court?—have von any?”
“A man of courage never lacks weapons. Onr
law honks are fit’l of effective weapons, against
ignorance, pretndlee and Initiation.”
“Then von wH not despair?” and the eyes of
Bertha Granhv once more shone with hope,
“TTTavp learned the folly of desnalr.” her hus
band said with a smile. ’“The lesson T have
been taught Is to do the best T can. and never
Worm - , be success good or bad. Sliaksneare
savs ’there Is a tide In the affairs of men which.
If taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.’ Our
tide, mv dear, has never set In; heaven grant
that we mav know when It does, so as to take
advantage of it.”
“Do van think Mrs. Nelson will recover her
pronertv?” asked Tferfha.
“So great a wrong h»aven will not nenntt to
go nnnonlshed. She will, and the robbers suf
fer tlie full penalty of the law.”
The voung wife was ov-rtoved to find her hus
band so honef-ii -so far different from what she
feared bp would he.
Walter Granhv had passed through the flerv
ord“al. a wiser and a Totter man. more hard
ened, though, In the ways of the world.
CHAPTER XX.
When ponsriousness returned. Agnes Nelson
found herself In a dose carriage, whirlin'* over
arnueh road at a ranld rate of sneed. Tt. was
bo dark that she at first thought it was night,
but soon discovered that the curtains had heen
drawn so closely that It produced almost total
d.arVness,
In one comer of the carriage, grim and silent,
sat a dark-visa i»ed man, apparently scowling on
her in the gloom.
The road was so rough sod the carriage mov
ing so rintd'v. that she could with difficulty re
tain her seat.
Half dead with terror, and her mind harrassed
with eonfiletlng thoughts, she dared not even
sneak to that grim, sullen man. whuln the gloom
seemed to arise higher and higher, until he be
came a monster.
Rowing her head In her hands, she elosed her
eves, to shut nut the monster and endeavor to
solve the nrohlem. Bnt It would not be solved.
She tried In vain to shutout from her vision that
grim, sullen man sitting opposite her, but to no
loose without latch or lock.
Take her to Iter room. Jane,” said he. whom
we have designated as the stone man; “ef she
won’t go Ike Botts and we’ll carry her.”
“I’ll go anywhere,” said Agnes, terror-strick
en at the thought of the villains touching her.
“Then jist come on.” said the woman, leading
the way through the front door, Agnes follow
ing.
She passed up a flight of steps and entered the
room occupied by herself and husband. Here
the woman lighted a candle, saying:
“Come on.” She lead the way through a rear
door, down a rear stairway, where she opened a
trap door that lead to an entrance under the
earth.
Whether it was a natural or artificial excava
tion, Agues had no means of knowing; but from
appearances supposed it had once been a coal
shaft dug into the side of the hill, and had since
been widened out, to be used as a cellar. It had
several small apartments, all walled with large,
heavy stone, and arched overhead.
They entered a narrow flight of stone steps,
leading up into a kind of a second story In the
excavation or cavern. This apartment was
guarded by a strong iron door, which Ihe woman
unlocked, and admitted the girl into quite a
spacious apartment.
It was entirely underground, but was carpeted
.and furnished with some degree of comfort.
There was a nice, clean bed, a sofa, some chairs,
a table, an elegant chandalier iu the room.wltich
the woman who was the jailor of Agnes, lighted.
Tiiere was also a iew choice hooks. A smalt
stove was tn the room, the pipe running out at
the east wall, passing through the face of the
rlifT into the chimney of the old mill building.
The old stone structure, it will he remembered,
was built square against the face of the bluff,
completely concealing the entrance to the cav
ern, and the only inode of ingress to it was
through the old mill building.
“Ye’ll stay in this room fur the present,” said
the woman, ns site gazed on the little captive,
“an 1 kin tell ye now ye needn’t try to escape,
for ye’ll he locked iu here, and watched be
sides."
‘How was it done?” she thought, as she gazed
feebly on the spot. Some hard substance must
have been thrown or thrust against it.
In half reverie her eyes and mind searched
the great rude stone walls for other niches, and
found them. Found them singly and in groups
of a dozen. Found pictures out of them. Jifen
with heads of dragdns. and riding horses with
wings, grew out of those glaring spots. The
waif was one vast picture book, on which her
mind dwelt for afe w moments,when she dropjied
into a doze.
She awoke with a start, and sprang front the
bed. to find her head giddy, her litnbs weak and
trembling, and the breakfast cold.
Site washed from the clear water in the basin,
and finding towel, comb and mirror, arranged
her toilet. Feeling refreshed, site sat down at
tlie table and ate sparingly of the cold food.
The day passed, though day and night were
one to her In the dungeon. She slept better the
following than the night previous, and was only
aroused by her jailor arranging breakfast for
her.
As near as the prisoner could guess, it was
the middle of Ihe afternoon, and Agnes was
examining a hook which had evidently been
placed in the room for her. She heard the tread
of footsteps coming up tlie narrow passage to
the door. There was the jingle of heavy keys
in the rusty lock, the creaking click of rusty
bolls, anti the door was swung open.
This being att untimely hour for the jailor,
and there being two persons instead of one.
Agnes felt that- Ibis was an extraordinary visit.
Her uncle entered, saying to Mrs. Belcher,
wito remained on the outside:
“That will do, .T ine; you can return now.”
The woman. Just looking in to see if her pris
oner was all right, withdrew.
“Agnes,” said Parker, advancing and taking
a seat near where she stood, “I am glad to see
you looking so well.”
“I am as well. Uncle Harman, as you could
expect to find one who lias heen ruthlessly torn
from home, relations, and friends, and confined
in n HtninroAii ** "**
CHAPTER XXII.
While these stirring events were transpiring
in and about Winterville, Judge Jerkum with
becoming iiomp and dignity, erect as a pine tree,
calm and placid as a moonlit frog pond, went
about his daily affairs. He held court In four
other counties, but no court was in session at
present.
As he paeed leisurely in front of his palatial
pine board residence, looking smiling, calm and
placid as the aforesaid pond, he began to reflect
how he could secure more honor for himself and
the Jerkum family, and “set bis pegs,” more
firmly for another election. A brilliant thought
flashed across his majestic brain. It was three
days until his birthday. He would be forty-two
then, though be insisted it was only thirty-two.
Age was Ids only real qualification as circuit
Judge and of this he seemed to barely want
enough.
Tlie idea was a brilliant one, and he wondered
why some of his many friends had not thought
of it before. But then they were not of such
marvelous minds as he possessed. The Judge
bad no hesitancy in secretly deno unclng ids
friends as stupid. They were all worms of the
dust with whom he ouly condescended to asso
ciate, because lie needed their services at the
coining election.
“Such low flung people,” as Walter Granby,
who dared have manhood enough to oppose his
majestic will, lie regarded as coutenipaole curs
unfit to even address his majesty on the street.
Summoning a colored boy that lie kept hired,
he bad Ills old sorrel horse harnessed to the
old ancient vehicle, which might well pass for
the primitive—“One iioss shay that run one
hundred years to a day.”
Getting in, the Incorruptible with his pompous
air and assumed greatness, drove the old rattle
trap down iuto tlie village. Hitching Ills horse
to a post near the banking house of Harry
Smalltrasli, he went In aud had a long confer
ence with him.
“It will cost considerable,” said Harry, who
while he loved the court held on to bis own
purse strings, with a vice like grip. “Gold
headed caues, such as you ought to have on
your birthday will cost forty dollars.”
“Well what of that,” replied the court, “there
Is the money,” handing him over four ten dollar
bills. “Now do you see the boys and have the
thing worked up.”
“All right, who will make the presentation?”
“Have Whiteacre to do it by all means. We
must tie him on to our cause and that will do It.
He is a strict church member and we will need
his influence. Besides, he belongs to the oppo
site party, and the affair will not then be re
garded as political.”
After giving full instructions, the Incorrupti
ble went out to his “wonderful one boss shay,”
got in aud went rattling back to Ills house.
Calling tlie negro hoy and cursing him sound
ly—just like a lord or nobleman—for not appear
ing sooner, the majestic court descended from
Ills shay, and walked as erect as a pine tree,
iuto his palatial pine board residence.
Going into Ills library, the shelves of which
contained chiefly potent office reports, he seated
himself at the desk and liegan writing:
“My friends, it is with eagerness—no, that
don’t sound right;’ and lie drew liis pen through
the unfinished sentence, and began again spell
ing and reading each word as lie wrote.
“My—friends—it—is—a—consolation—to—to—
my—heart—that—I —find — .b-e-f-o-r-e—before—
me—all the—intelligence—of—the—country.’
No, tliat will not do. it might offend some who
cannot lie here; and as Freelin Towline is to
I Hint my speech in full, I might.loose some votes
ly such a speech.”
Thus Ihe court labored mid sweat over liis ex
temporaneous speech. He was not good at com
position, and was sorry he had not procured tlie
services of an editor to write liis speech.
Dinner bell rang, and he left a confused heap
of papers, covered with illegible scribbling, bad
spelling aud erasures, and went to dinner. Af
ter dinner lie spent an hour on the lawn en
deavoring to concentrate his gigantic mind on
tlie wonderful speech lie was preparing for the
loruiyou ui» uivuk wuicb ..uui u ul .u«u-, was cleared and eveiy preparatlon was
big sycophants but from the hearts of men who ma .J 1 f,5 0 F, danc
wmiiiut rttiriirri in iuiriv n’inii you W6ll am voii th© dfiuc©i*ft th©y duncfd, until tli© Kr|*y off
go llirougii life may this cant*,, iU© Aaron’s rod raoniJiifi:. Uncle Jed *Jf;
prove your support and stay, and be abl© to and Heieklali was iiot far from tbe brluk of It,
swallow up auy aud all opposition you may
ever have.”
At the conclusion Mr. Whiteacre advanced
and placed the cane iu the bands of the court,
who on a hasty examination could have sworn,
that like his birthday was leu short. The com
pany attributed his hesitation to emotion aud
surprise. Recovering himself he made the fol
lowing exteinporaueous speech in reply.
“My friends, iny dear friends! 1 cannot say
whether 1 am most gratified or asiouished.
Always ready to welcome uiy friends to my
he proposed that they all join in an old Ken
tucky breakdown, which was to be the winding
up of their celebration; but a number of them
concluded to remain $od pass the remainder of
the time in playing “bunt the slipper” an4
“whirling the idaie.” Jerusha Spikes, Feme
line Pinkthorn, Pliilomena Ricks and other
noted members of Deacon Skiles’ flock. Bob
Samples, Rube Racket, 8y Ruffles and BUI
Button also joined them.
After they had ceased playing the cider and
ginger-bread was handed around. Ail seemed
home, you are doubly welcome now. 1 accept •“ Talk at once, and make merry over Their
this cane coming as it does lrom a class of gen- Christmas holiday. And while they were thus
tleuieu without regard to religion or party, aud enjoying themselves, something that appeared
— • jiu ag uie to be a ghost suddenly made Its appearance in
promise that I shall ever regard this
most happy moment of my life. 1 shall ever re
gard what you have said venerable sir, as words
of wisdom and act therefrom. This caue 1 ac
cept, kuo whig as I do, that It comes from men
whose motives and hearts are pure,—”
The Judge pauseu, thrust liis baud into his
their midst with these words: “Eat, drink and
be merry, for to-morrow ye die;” then, as quick
as a flash of lightning, disappeared.
They all started to their feet at once; the wo
men screamed and huddled together; Uncle Jed.
who was half asleep, turned a double somersault
in a dungeon. , . r —«---.
, 7l)r> not talk that way, Afrrs,” said »!‘t "IV grandest occasion of his life,
pies put 1„i«a.\,n,yhi„«Lhls hafr f.-.p:■ '£> »|i rgUfig.iq
fWihavenomiei rela’ve or Ther IpaF.W jiTjioiir s labor and persiiiiVlMi, the ardttous
pocket lor something, muttering so low as to , over a cider barrel on which he was sitting;
be heard by none of the guests. Hezeklali and Jerusha, in their fright, hastliT
“1 have forgotten tiie rest aud that darned ' dept under the bed; Rube Racket snatched up
boy of miue has stolen the manuscript.” I the poker. Bob Samples flicked up the stool and
Turning placid and calm lo the guests In Threw it at tlie retreating ghost, Sy Ruffles fol-
frout of him as though nothing had occurred to h'wed with a broom, and Billy Button with an
disturb tlie serenity oi liis nature, he resumed: ‘’* J rusty horse-pistol that had not been loaded
“But luy friends, my dear triends, X can say ; T° r * coon’s age.
no more at present,—excuse me for i am too full A loud raji at tlie door brought them together
(should have said einpiy) lor utlerauce, Allow j again. Uncle Jed. who was brave as a sheep,
me to iuvile you iu lo partake of iny hospl-, approached cautiously to the door, while all
tality.” stood stock still, staring wildly at each other.
The parlor was thrown open and there was a H £?. eki 2 h lik « «" aspen leaf,
general hand shaking as the procession filed! „ Tl,e d, .’ or b , eink opened. Old Parson Sandy
In Crane entered with a dignified “Howd ye do?”
M Jerkum by the merest chance was pres- 1 " hen al1 , l nc ? !1 changecanie over them,
e had come over that morning to borrow Tll . e y, »nuled, bowed and scraped before the
his brothers wife s clothes line and a pair of noted parson of Shamtown. In a few moments
pot hooks to fish the cat out of the well, which . a , u were sealed ami began relating tlie story of
had been thrown iu the day before by the hope- tbe Rreat *« al ?- a " to tell thesame story
ful sou and heir of the court. Being present lie at once '. Wl,lle rattling away at a terrible rate,
remained to assist in entertaining tie friends of , tb e good parson Internipted them in the midst
the incorruptible h of their conversation bv telling them the real
In au Incredible short time, Mrs. Judge Jer- causeof their fright which dispelled all thoughts
kum, with the assistance of four girls employed | I®.. 1 ?—
by accident for tlie occasion, had a dinner pre
pared for the little army.
All weut out iu the spacious dining rooms and
feasted merrily. The temperate retired to the
E arlor, while Jlppy led the connlval quietly to
is brother’s private closet.
Mr. Towliue, the editor, slyly gathered up the
manuscripts containing the extemporaneous
speeches, for publication, aud then the crowd
dispersed; feeling that they uad had an excel
lent dinner, considerable honor, and would get
their names lu the paper, without costing them
a cent.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
IT UNCLE JEDEDIAH’S.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
her cold, snappish tone.
“You must answer me a question!”
“VVliat is It?”
“Whv am I brought here?”
Tlie eyes of the little captive blazed with such
fury that Mrs Belcher, had and hold as she was,
felt almost afraid of her.
“What ef I don’t tell ye?” tlie jailor finally
growled.
“Oh! but you will, you surely will. You can
not he so cruel as to refuse.’’
The woman, seeing she was in no danger front
the girl, with a smile tliai was cruelty itself, re
plied:
“l don’t see, Miss, as I’m under any obliga
tions to tell, and besides ye'll find out In prop-
per time why ye was brought here.”
“But, oil! this harrassing doubt, tills agoniz
ing fear. Can you not, will you not relieve my
mind of its fearful apprehensions?”
“I couldn’t tell ye all, fur I don’t know all,”
said the woman, putting her candle on the table.
“Then I oughtn’t tell anything, cos I was not
told that I could tell.”
“You are in the employ of my captor? 1 ’ asked
Agnes, hoping to obtain her information by a
series of shrewd cross questions.
“How do ye know?”
“I know you are, for It was my Uncle Harman
Parker who put mein the hands of your hus
band. and the other man?”
“Well, suppose we are?”
“Supi>ose you were, aud suppose I should pay
you more for my liberty than he would for my
captivity?”
“Oh! ho! little miss, ye needn’t come that
dodge, cos we all know ye haln’t got money at
all hardly."
“You seem well posted as to my affair*?” said
Agnes, with some of her old spirit.
“Yes, Miss, we knows what we is doin’.”
“Who does this old mill and prison belong to?"
asked Agnes.
“I don’t know, Miss. We live here now.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“Not more’n two weeks.?”
“When was my uncle here last?”
“A few days ago.”
“Did he tarry long?”
“Over night. ’
“He brought this furniture?”
“Sent it, Miss, and we put it In.”
“Tills room he filled for me?”
“See here. Miss,” said the woman, “seems to
me ve'r axin’ too many questions.”
“What harm can it do, if you tell me what I
already know—that this room was fitted up for
me?”
“Ef ye know It, what d’ye want to he axin’ me
about it fur? 1 ’
“Simply to confirm what I almost know to be
true.”
“Well, then, it was.”
“How long since?”
“A few days ago. But. Miss, Iv’e told enough
at one time. I’ll hev to leave ye.”
At this moment the rough voice of a man from
below could be heard, saying:
“Jane, what the thunder are ye stayin’ up
there iur. Come down an’ fix us some supper.”
“Yes—comiu’she answered in a loud tone,
and left the room, locking Agnes In.
Once alone, the girl’s fortitude gave way, and
throwing herself on the bed she flooded her sor
row with scalding tears.
CHAPTER XXI.
The beautiful captive had been alone an hour,
when footsteps in tiie narrow passage were
heard, and the turning of the key in the prison
door indicated that some one was on the point
of entering. Mrs. Belcher, her jailor, entered,
bearing In one hand a lighted candle, fn the
other a large wooden tray, on which were some
cakes, fruit, bread, a cup of coffee, aud cold
meat. This she placed on the table without
saying a word, and retired, locking the door
behind her.
The cantive debated long In her mind whether
she would eat of the supper or not: but know
ing it would require all ner strength and forti
tude to undergo the trials she would be likely
called oil to meet, she concluded she had better
eat wliat she could. Not having any appetite it
was but a very small portion of tbe food she
partook.
Knowing it was night, and supposing she had
received the last visit she would until morning,
the weary girl threw herself on the bed without
undressing.
Her poor little brain worn out with conjecture,
trobbed incessantly. Her strange abduction
and imprisonment furnished her food tor thought.
Her mother's anxiety aud lonelinesss filled ner
soul with grief.
“Oh, mother, dear mother! Heaven knows
how willingly I would go to you and relieve you
of your anxiety, if I eouid,” she sobbed.
Then she thought of Henry Waters. Would
he prove himself a true lover and gallant knight
and come to her rescue, or would he consider
her lost, aud bunt up some other lady love?
No, no; she would not, oould not believe the
w
when I am with y
“You, my uncle—yes, you are my uncle; hut
Heaven forbid that another girl should have
such a relative.” , .
“Agnes! Agnes! you knownot wliat you say!
She went on without pretending to notice
him.
“It Is bad enough to be torn from home .and
borne to a dungeon by a stranger; but when It Is
an uncle, a father's brother, it is a thousand
times worse.”
She almost broke down In sobs.
“This is folly, Agnes—the wildest folly. I
came to see you on business.”
"Business, indeed,” replied Agnes with Idling
sarcasm. “You have been very busy with our
affairs, and proved yourself a man of business.
You have done a brave tiling—robbed the wife
and child of vour dead brother. A brave tiling,
Uncle Harman; but U was business. When you
have sucli noble assistants as Lawyer Jerkum
and liis brother, tlie court, you are brave. I
wonder yo..- do not dig into my poor father’s
grave and steal tlie plates from liis coffin. Jippy
Jerkum will help you for shares.”
“Agnes, do not speak to me that way. I swear
I will not stand it.”
“Then quit my presence.”
“Don’t you want me here?”
“No.”
“Do you not desire to talk with me?"
“I do not.”
“About freedom?”
“You have come, then, to tantalize ine of ires
dom; to tell me how free tlie wild birds are-
how green the forest Is—how blue the sky has
become—” . „,
“1 have not come for any such purpose,” in
terrupted Harman. “I come to make you a
proposition.”
“For what?”
“Freedom.” „ ...
“What have I to ransom myself with? You
have already stolen all the rightful possessions
of my mother and myself.”
“Hell and fury, girl; no more of that,” criad
the exasi>erated man, leaping to his feet aud
crossing the room,
“Then, sir. quit my presence.”
Agnes bad arisen and was standing firm and
erect by the table, one hand resting lightly on it.
‘ • I have a proposition to make, aud by Heave ns
I will make it,said Harman Parker, returning
and resuming his seat.
“Make it quick and begone. The chances are
that any proposition you make will be rejected.”
“You are poor and I am rich,” he began.
“By your dishonesty, yes; our cases are re
versed from what they were before my father’s
death.”
His face grew murderously dark for a mo
ment, bnt he had an object in view, and re
strained his wrath.
“Be that as it may,” he went on, “you are poor
and I have wealth. There has been a family
feiul between us for many years, and since your
fath r s death It has grown worse. Itiswrongthat
such things should exist, I wish all ruptures In
onr family to be healed.”
He paused bat she maintained a dignified po
sition merely saying:
“Go on.”
“There is but one way to do It. The wealth I
have, you claim to have been wronged out of;
there is a way whereby you may recover and en-
. e paused with an anxious look at her face
She still maintaining her position said:
“Go on,” and lie resumed.
“The plan is this,” he said, laving the fore
finger of Ills right hand in the palm of his left,
“unite the two families aud all breaches will he
healed, aud this property question be settled
forever. You are a young lady and I have a son
Janies—”
“A drunken worthless follow,” internipted
Agnes her fine form drawn up to its full height,
aud her beautiful eyes expressing silent indig
nation, though site moved not. Harman was
confused a moment by tlie interruption, but re
covering himself, he said:
“True James has been somewhat wild, but
then he will reform. Most young men are rather
dissolute.”
“And lie exceedingly so.”
“Well lie can be made to reform. You can
tame him down; besides he loves you. You can
do more for James than any other person on
earth, and you can lift him up from drunken
ness to ennobling, excellent manhood. The
question is, will you do It.”
“I would be willing to do a great deal to save
any one from a drunkard’s grave, but the sacri
fice you ask is too great. I cannot make it.”
“What, do you refuse?”
“As your son’s wife, I do.”
“Ana liberty?”
"At such a price, I do.”
"Think before you act.”
“I have thought”
“Think, but consent and you may be at liber
ty, and see your mother betorejanother sun rise.
This little episode will only be a run-away
match; refuse and you remain here forever.”
"Make my coodtflou la life as intolerable aa
task was completed. It begat;
“My dear friends, I cannot say whether I am
most gratified or astonished, etc.”
Ho then wrote a second speech, which re
quired equally as much labor, and sent the same
to Harry Smalltrasli, across one end of which
was written:
“Pryvet."
In the meanwhile tlie wiry, spare-made form of
Harry had been seen darting around tlie vari
ous bustness houses, missing two and hitting
one, ogling tlie proprietors, whimpering, wlieeif
ling and wliiuiug, with a paper in his hand, which
was headed:
“We, tlie following undersigned citizens of
Wintersville, without regard to party, agree to
give tlie atro mt opposite onr names to purchase
a gold-headed cane for Judge Jerkum’s birth
day present.”
When lie secured a donation from a man lie
put down one or two dollars “pade,” though not
a cent changed, or would cliatige liamls.
He soon had a good list of persons, such as the
incorruptible had suggested.
Then returning to liis office, he found a large
euvelope addressed to him in tiie hold hand of
the court. Tearing it open, he found it the
manuscript of an extenijioraneous speech he
was to copy and deliver to Brother Whiteacre.
Harry Sniulltrash had a short, thick-set clerk,
witli a sandy beard and bald head, called Peter
Vaustriker. Calling him from the coimtnig-
room into his private office, he gave him the
s;»eecli. audiordered him to copy it verbatim et
literatim.
Vanstriker being a rapid penman, the work
was soon accomplished, alid a messenger sent
for Mr. Wiiiteacre, who was the proprietor of a
store for the sale of chicken feed.
Mr. W. come post-haste.
Mr. Smalltrasli took Mr. Whiteacre to his con
fidential desk, and there they planned and
talked in tiie most secret manner, as though
their business involved tbe welfare of the entire
nation.
"We don’t want the Judge to know a thing
about it," said Harry Smalltrash: “we intend to
surprise him completely. Here is a nice little
speech for you to make in presenting it. I knew
you would not have time to prepare one, so I
did it for f iu."
AU smiles at the honor that had been confer
red on him, the mild, Innocent Mr. Whiteacre
grasped the banker’s hand as he arose and
thanked him kindly.
“Don’t forget we all meet right here at ten in
the morning, and all go in a body.”
“1 understand. Brother Smalltrash,” said Mr.
Whiteacre, pnttlng on his hat and pocketing the
manuscript. “I will be here in ample time,” and
all smiles and bows, he left the bank and re
turned to Ills cbickeB-feed store.
Ten o’clock on that eventful day quite a crowd
stood at the rear door of Harry Bmalltrash’s
bank. First was H. W. Smalltrash himself. By
his side Mr. Joe K. Whiteacre, holding a thlrty-
dollar gold-headed caue in his hand. Next was
Freelin TowHne, the editor of the “Wintersville
Fog,” a newspaper. He had a note-book in his
liana with an article commenced, the title of
which was:
How the Court not Caned.—A Humber of Cit
izens of WintersvUle. Without Regard to Party,
Pag a i'istt to Judge Jerkum's Residence, and
Cane Him in His Own House in the Presence of
His Family.”
Then there was W. Ogle, from Hardscrabble;
there was G. W. Swlllwlnd, Geo. Hall, the lump
on his cheek revolving under his active jaws,
and copious expectorations were frequent.
There was Aaron Rashcalf, Dr. Bartal, Dr. Red,
Mr. Yecnalk, J. M, McCorder, D. S. Rounder,
Northwlnd Tucker, M. 8. Cfialn.J. M. Envy, P.
R. Smashum. Wm. F. Hawker. D. K. Butcher,
Eli R. Death. Torn Long, Mex Shakerag, Jno. H.
Coffee and Will J. Stoves.
This host, headed by Whiteacre and Small-
trash, bearing the tliirty-dollar cane, wended
their way to the palatial piue-board residence of
the Incorruptible.
The calm, dignified, placid Jerkum was stand
ing on the front poren, and, of course, had no
idea what that great body of advancing men in
tended to do. His eyes sparkled witli astonish
ment at the goodly crowd, yet Ills brow was un
ruffled, and he did not for a moment lose his
self-control.
As tlie procession wended its way through the
black-jack grove that formed the shade of the
lawn, the incorruptible and liis family, save his
hopeful son, who had been sent on an errand
two miles away, under the care of the hired ne
gro. with instructions not to return untU night,
gathered in wonder on the porch.
The procession advanced on the rlght-hy-iile-
Into-Une, and formed two solid ranks, just In
front of the grand, unvarnished bass-wood pi-
tza.
Mr. Whiteacre, cane In hand, supported by
Smalltrash on his right and Swillwind eu his
left, advanced In front of tlie;solid columns, and
made the following extemporaneous speech,
which the court had prepared for him:
“Judge Jerkum, ta the name of these kind
friends I aa to be their spokesman. We are
assembled here without regard to party to pay.
»• BV ALFKRD W. HARRIS.
As they sat around the old log fire, enjoying
tlie usual winter evening chat. Uncle Jedediah,
Auut Mariali, Cousin Hezeklali and I were all
gazing dreamily into the cheerful fire, as the
logs cracked aud tiie blaze went roaring up tlie
broad old-fashioned cliiuiuey. Hezekinli seemed
absorbed in a deep study, as if building castles,
or something ot that sort. My Uncle Jed. spoke
iu a very careless way about tlie price of butter
and eggs, when my good old maiden Aunt Ma-
riali remarked that “indeed tha hev riz nigh
onto tew cents and a half.
“Alt hut that,” chimed in Hezeklali, who sat
witli one leg across the oilier, iiis arms folded
aud leaning on liis knee, smoking an old corn
cob pipe, which lie seemed to enjoy with the air
of a village politician.
“Bless yure life, honey, it liez riz,” said my
Aunt Sophia in a rather dignified manner, as she
eutered from an adjoining ajiartmeut, where
site overheard the con versa lion.
“An it will contiuer to k
markit urn
lieaeoil dm ’.per jes loie me'ilu li llger nor ytsti
day tliet lie ltad to pay no le-,s nor twenty-five
cents for hatter and forty cents for eggs. I tell
yer, ef the weather don’t moderate, an tliet rite
soon tew, they’ll run way up yauder in liggers.”
“An don’t yer know another tiling or tew?
Chickens ar very scace, ail turkeys liev gone up
tew,” said Hezeklali, interrupting liis aunt, “fur
I seed a flock on ’em driv to town last week, an
don’t yer believe it. Thar wuz jes a dozen on
em, an I seed uabor Firkin a toien live big uns
more'n a week ago. Ef tliet seems like they is
scace, then I’ll give under.”
“Don't talk. They liev scooted up ez high nor
thirteen cents,” said Uncle Jed, with a drawl
and a yawn that you would think he had not
slept any for a week. “I’m goin tew hev-a tur
key ef tliar is a spar wun tew begot in ole Kain-
tuck, an it takes the last button off yure Uncle
Jed.’s cote; an more’n nor tliet, I reckon I kuo
wliar tliar Is the biggest fat goobler iu all these
diggins tew, an we ar goin to hev a rale fine
time this coiniii Christmas, sure ez yure born,
for we hev made tip our minds tew Invite the
following folis: Die Jedge Slimmer, liis wife
aud gals. Deacon Buggs an ills second wife. Bai
lie Ann Fitch an her own cuzzin, an Silvy Blos
som, Rosy Rmld, Jeems Skags, Suky Sudds,'
Calliue Buckles, an utlier high-minded folks uv
our town, ez well ez the more circumspect; an
ez we war nigh onto tlie verge of disparity we
wuz prepariu for a new departure, au liev takeu
tiiese means to celebrate our ole age afore
anutiier Christmas rolls roun again, so ez our
frieus may know thet we hev not lived in vain "
“I think wc orter liev a good time enyway,
for utlier nabors about here liev bln Joyin thar-
selves every year uv tlieir nat’ral born lives,”
said Auut Mariah, as she sat darning an old
worn out sock for Hezeklali, who had just gone
out for a back log to put on tlie fire; be wag not
{ ;oue long before he returned with an old knotty
og on liis shoulder, blowing and puffing li. e an
old wind-broken plow horse that had seen his
best days. After placing it on the fire lie said:
“Dad, I seed Zeke Bangs outen tliar with two
uv the biggest turkeys I uever seed afore. One
wuz white, an one on em wuz black, don’t yer
think.”
personage than the fool of the village, put up to
ihe trick by some students who had just arrived
home to spend the holidays.
After a general hand shaking and friendly
congratulations all around, they departed for
their respective homes, to meet again at the next
Sunday's service.
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“Fetch em rite in here,” shouted Uncle Jed.,
“for I’m goiu tew hev turkey stuffed with ing-
yuus an slch. ez well ez uther folks.” It wasn’t
long before Zeke stalks In with two of the big
gest turkeys ever raised In Slimtown.
Zeke was one of those tall, raw-boned fellows
we read about in novels sometimes, with bull-
hide boots, tlie tops of which reached far above
his knees. He wore a huge moustache and
heavy goatee, a broad brim slouch hat and a
coon-skin muffler, and was. to all appearances,
a genuine Kentucky mountalueer.
“Gee whoppityt what busters!” shouted Uncle
Jed.; “ whar did you git em. Zeke?”
“I riz em out here near Buck Quigg's place,
in Possum Waller.”
“Dew tell!” cried Aunt Mariah. "Ef thet
don’t beat Seth Smlkes all holler. I don’t want
ter eat ’em."
“Wall, now,” said Uncle Jed., “what’ll they
Latch a piece, Zeke?”
“I don’t sell em by the piece; I sell em by the
pound.” said Zeke, as he ran his long bony fin
gers through tbe thick feathers of one of them
“Wall. 1 tell yer, let’s go down to Ike Magru-
der’s an get one on em weighed, for, dad drat
It, we must hev a turkey for Christmas, an I
vow we’ll hev piles uv fun. I tell yer Uncle
Jed.,” he continued, “thar iz jest fourteen an
one-naif pounds uv live turkey, an all for thir
teen cents a pound, an ef you say you’ll take
tills ere one you kin hey it for one dollar an
eighty-two cents; an I’ll call aroun Christmas
ef you say so an help you eat it, for I ni In for
fun ez well ez enybody.” With that he slightly
lunched Uncle Jed. in the ribs, which made
lim wince, and at the same time giving a wink
to Hezekiah. who stood silently by witli bis
bands iu Ids pockets, bis eyes dilated, and bis
mouth extended from ear to ear like a poor
man's lease.
“An’ I’ll toll yer what I’ll do; I’ll furnish the
apple sass for the crowd,” said Zeke.
•‘Nuff sed.” was the hearty response, and
they started for Uncle Jed Scruples' farm, not
faraway. “I’ll tote this goobler my lone self”
said Hezekiah, as he swung it over ids shoul
der with a grin and a chuckle, and they went
jogging on tlieir way, highly elated with the
thought of purchasing a Christmas turkey.
“Wall, mam, dad bought a turkey, an’ a bust-
er, he iz. tew,” bawled Hezekiah, as he entered
the house.
“Wall, I’m riaduvit; now we kin celebrate
with comfort.” said Aunt Mariah. “Next
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“Yes, mum,” said Hez.
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