That Girl of Johnson's — page 54: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THAT GIRL OF JOHNSON’S. | 43 father? Was she trying to baffle the law? These mountain people were. so fearful of the law in spite of their contempt for its commands. There was nota trace of guilt in her face; her eyes were looking down the mountain—large, beautiful eyes, full of noble truth. He returned to. his companions and reported that John- son was not there; his daughter did not know where he was. They held a consultation. If it were possible John- son must be found and brought to court that day; law and right must not be delayed. Riding down the mountain they halted at the tavern. The tavern keeper’s wife came out to meet them; she was a short, stout woman with a face that held almost no expression, and she was slow of movement like her neighbors, but she could talk; she was always ready to give or receive news. They asked for water; she said water was scarce on the mountain, but she could give them cider if that would do. She hoped it would rain soon. They replied that cider would do very well—in fact, much better than water for their purpose, for they had a rough time before them. She brought the cider to them in queer brown mugs, and watched them as they drank; she was full of curiosity in regard to them. They were flushed, and drank the cider like water; the mouths of their horses were flecked with foam and their flanks were dark with sweat. As they drank they asked for the host. He was away, she said, gone over the mountain to the town; a trial was being held there, had they not heard of it? Nearly every one had heard of it; it was making a stir. The mare be- longing to young Green, the judge’s son, had been lamed through malice; she had been worth a deal of money, but this had ruined her. Folks were excited about it; there was to be a trial there, and Johnson—had they ever heard of Johnson?—was all they were waiting for to lay the guilt where it belonged; he knew more about it than most folks; some thought— Gomicbooks (E(@) m