The case proceeded in the absence of Judge Finch and the next day in the mid-afternoon was completed; the jury returning a verdict in favor of the company.
Cornwall ordered a horse and inquiring the road to Judge Finch's house, who lived on Wallins Creek, rode out to see him. There he sat on his porch, coatless, in carpet slippers, playing cinch with three farm hands.
"Hello John, have a cheer, do you play cinch?"
"No, sir."
(One of the hands) "Jedge, your corn is mighty weedy, you better let us go back to our hoeing."
"By gosh! You are working for me aint you; and if I want you to play cards instead of hoe, that's my business."
"John, how did you come out with the Asher case?"
"The jury returned a verdict for the company. Judge you certainly left me in a hole running off like you did."
"By gosh! the family was out'er meal and I just had to go to mill for a turn."