sweetly.

"Judge, may I try 'em some day?" asked Hannibal.

"Yes, my boy, that's part of a gentleman's education."

"Well, look out you don't shoot him before his education begins,"
snapped Mahaffy.

"Where did you buy 'em?" Hannibal was dodging about the judge, the
better to follow the operation of loading.

"At the gunsmith's, dear lad. It occurred to me that we required small
arms. If you'll stand quietly at my elbow and not hop around, you'll
relieve Mr. Mahaffy's apprehension."

"I declare, Price, you need a guardian, if ever a man did!" cried
Mahaffy, in a tone of utter exasperation.

"Why, Solomon?"

"Why?--they are absolutely useless. It was a waste of good money that
you'll be sorry about."

"Bless you, Solomon--they ain't paid for!" said the judge, with a thick
little chuckle.

"I didn't do you the injustice to suppose they were; but you haven't any
head for business; aren't you just that much nearer the time when not a
soul here will trust you? That's just like you, to plunge ahead and use
up your credit on gimcracks!" Mahaffy prided himself on his acquaintance
with the basic principles of economics.

"I can sell 'em again," observed the judge placidly.

"For less than half what they are worth!--I never knew so poor a
manager!"

The pistols were soon loaded, and the judge turned to Hannibal.
"I regretted that you were not with me out at Boggs' this evening,
Hannibal; you would have enjoyed seeing me try these weapons there. Now
carry a candle into the kitchen and place it on the table."

Mahaffy laughed contemptuously, but was relieved to know the purpose to
which the judge had devoted the afternoon.

"What aspersion is rankling for utterance within you now, Solomon?" said
the judge tolerantly. Assuming a position that gave him an unobstructed
view across the two rooms, he raised the pistol in his hand and
discharged it in that brief instant when he caught the candle's flame
between the notches of the sight, but he failed to snuff the candle, and
a look of bitter disappointment passed over his face. He picked up the
other pistol. "This time--" he muttered under his breath.

"Try blowing it out try the snuffers!" jeered Mahaffy.

"This time!" repeated the judge, unheeding him, and as the pistol-shot
rang out the light vanished. "By Heaven, I did it!" roared the judge,
giving way to an uncontrollable burst of feeling. "I did it--and I can
'do it again--light the candle, Hannibal!"

He