Part 20 (1/2)
”You're a smart lawyer, Dave,” commented Uncle Larimy.
David looked at him whimsically.
”I had a smart client, Uncle Larimy.”
”That's what you did, Dave, but he's gettin' too dernd smart. You'd a done some of us a favor if you'd let him git sent up.”
CHAPTER V
”Dave,” said Barnabas on one memorable day, ”the Jedge hez hed his innings trying to make you a lawyer. Now it's my turn.”
”All right, Uncle Barnabas, I am ready.”
”Hain't you hed enough of law, Dave? You've given it a good trial, and showed what you could do. It'll be a big help to you to know the law, and it'll allers be sumthin' to fall back on when things get slack, but ain't you pinin' fer somethin' a leetle spryer?”
”Yes, I am,” was the frank admission. ”I like the excitement attending a case, and the fight to win, but it's drudgery between times--like soldiering in time of peace.”
”Wal, Dave, I've got a job fer you wuth hevin', and one that starts toward what you air a-goin' to be.”
David's breath came quickly.
”What is it?”
”Thar's no reason at all why you can't go to legislatur' and make new laws instead of settin' in the Jedge's office and larnin' to dodge old ones. I'm a-runnin' politics in these parts, and I'm a-goin' to git you nominated. After that, you'll go the hull gamut--so 't will be up the ladder and over the wall fer you, Dave.”
So, David, to the astonishment of the Judge, put his foot on the first round of the political ladder as candidate for the legislature.
At the same time Janey returned from the school in the East, where she had been ”finished,” and David's heart beat an inspiring tattoo every time he looked at her, but he was nominated by a speech-loving, speech-demanding district, and he had so many occasions for oratory that only s.n.a.t.c.hes of her companions.h.i.+p were possible throughout the summer.
Joe came on to join in the excitement attending the campaign. It had been some time since his last visit, and he scarcely recognized David when he met him at the Lafferton station.
”Well, Dave,” said the ranchman, ”if you are as strong and sure as you look, you won't need my help in the campaign.”
”I always need you, Joe. But you haven't changed in the least, unless you look more serious than ever, perhaps.”
”It's the outdoor life does that. Take a field-bred lad, he always s.h.i.+es a bit at people.”
”Your horse does, too, I notice. He arrived safely a week ago, and I put him up at the livery here in Lafferton. I was afraid he would demoralize all the horses at the farm.”
”Good! I'll ride out this evening. I have a little business to attend to here in town, and I want to see the Judge and his wife, of course.”
When the western sky line gleamed in crimson glory Joe came riding at a long lope up the lane. He sat his spirited horse easily, one leg thrown over the horn of his saddle. As he neared the house, a thras.h.i.+ng machine started up. The desert-bred horse s.h.i.+ed, and performed maneuvers terrifying to Janey, but Joe in the saddle was ever a part of the horse. Quietly and impa.s.sively he guided the frightened animal until the machine was pa.s.sed. Then he slid from the horse and came up to Janey and David, who were awaiting his coming.
”This can never be little Janey!” he exclaimed, holding her hand reverently.
”I haven't changed as much as Davey has,” she replied, dimpling.