The judge looked hopelessly from the child to the mother and then to the father--they both had their faces averted still--and back into the sick child's face again. The four-bit piece lay shining on the porch floor where it had fallen. The judge backed away, searching his mind for the right words to say. “Well, I'll do what I can, Lemmy,” he repeated, as though he could find no other phrase--“I'll do what I can.” The child rolled his head back against the pillow, satisfied. “Then it'll be all right, sir,” he said with a joyful confidence. “My grand-pop he said you could do 'most anything. You tell 'em, Mister Judge Priest, that I'll be a-waitin' right here in this very window for 'em when they pass.” Walking with his head down and his steps lagging, the old judge, turning into the main thoroughfare, was almost run over by a mare that came briskly along, drawing a light buggy with a tall man in it. The tall man pulled up the mare just in time. His name was Settle. “By gum, judge,” he said apologetically, “I came mighty near gettin' you that time!” “Hello, son,” said the judge absently; “which way are you headed?” “Downtown, same as everybody else,” said Settle. “Jump in and I'll take you right down, sir.” “Much obliged,” assented the old judge, as he heaved himself heavily up between the skewed wheels and settled himself so solidly at Settle's left that the seat springs whined; “but I wish't, if you're not in too big a hurry, that you'd drive me up by the showgrounds first.” “Glad to,” said Settle, as he swung the mare round. “I just come from there myself--been up lookin' at the stock. 'Tain't much. Goin' up to look their stock over yourself, judge?” he asked, taking it for granted that any man would naturally be interested in horseflesh, as indeed would be a true guess so far as any man in that community was concerned. “Stock?” said the judge. “No, I want to see the proprietor of this here show. I won't keep you waitin' but a minute or two.” “The proprietor!” echoed Settle, surprised. “What's a circuit judge goin' to see a circus man for--is it something about their license?” “No,” said the judge--“no, just some business--a little private business matter I want to see him on.”