it wasn't anything that came stealing--but with a
jump. As soon as I saw her I said to myself, 'wow,
I'm gone.' You have always chided me for being
what you called too brazen with girls, but this
girl scared me in a minute. It's a fact, but I
said to myself, 'Old fellow, what's the matter
with your knees?' I made up my mind to win her if
I could, but she kept me cowed, not by what she
said, for she didn't say much, but by what she
looked. Auntie's husband's preaching knocks
anything I ever heard--that is, I hear it does,
for he hasn't preached for us yet. I would have
written to you sooner, but the creek rose suddenly
and the mail couldn't get over. When I come home I
will offer my wife as a plea for pardon, and if
you don't grant it I will appeal from your
decision. To-day we go on higher up the mountains
where we can stand on tip-toe (auntie's idea) and
touch the honey-moon. She and Jim ain't with us at
present, having gone over to his preaching
grounds, fifteen miles from here. We are in a
little town that looks like stage scenery. Haven't
seen but one fellow that looked like he could box.
If my wife don't object, I may try him a few
rounds. If I can get within range I may draw on
you, as I am about broke. Yours, Tom.'"

The Judge slowly folded the letter, and putting it into his pocket,
remarked: "The rascal doesn't even tell her name."

"Well," smilingly replied the Marshal, "her name is Elliott now, you
know."

"Yes," the Judge mused, "so it would seem. Draw on me if he gets within
range. Oh, he'll get the range all right. I have never known him to
fail."

"By the way, Judge, have you decided to take up the case of that old man
Starbuck to-day? He is in there, ready."

"Yes. I have heard that he was a gallant soldier in the Union army, and
I have decided to examine him here in chambers. I wish to save him every
possible humiliation. And I don't know but it might be well to examine
those witnesses here, informally. Mr. Foster, bring in those witnesses."

Foster opened the door, stepped out into the corridor, and with a motion
of his hand, commanded: "This way, you two."

And into the room came Laz and Mose. The Judge, who at the time was
looking over a paper