“That Aleck Thompson 's the smartest man that is,” declared one of his delighted adherents.
Thompson himself thought so, too, and his imitation of the Judge, of Dick Creel, and of himself in court became his most popular story.
Only the old Judge moved among the throng of tittering laymen calm, dignified, and unsuspecting.
“If ever he gets hold of you, Aleck,” said one of that worthy's worshippers, “there 's likely to be a vacancy in the office of sheriff.”
“He 'll put me in jail,” laughed Aleck. “Dick Creel says he 's kind o' doty.”
IV
The Court was nearing the end of the term, Dolittle et al. vs. Dolittle's Executrix, with all its witnesses and all its bitternesses, had resulted in a mistrial, and the sister churches were wider apart than ever. The rest of the docket was being daily disposed of.
The Sheriff was busy one day telling his story to an admiring throng on the court-green when someone casually observed that Mrs. Dick Creel had got off the train that morning.
The Sheriff's face changed a little.