Shrimplin

Doing this, Shrimplin felt the door yield, it was not locked; at the same instant he made this discovery, however, he heard a footfall in the street and so, hurried back to the gate.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

On these occasions the senior Shrimplin, commonly called Shrimp by his intimates, was the very picture of unconventional ease-taking as he lolled in his chair before the kitchen stove, a cracker box half filled with sawdust conveniently at hand.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

Shrimplin had not moved from the spot where Custer had left him five minutes before.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

"Be seated, Shrimplin," said the judge, sensing something of the lamplighter's embarrassment in his presence and rather liking him for it.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

"Thank you, Judge," replied Shrimplin, selecting a straight-backed chair in a shadowy corner of the room, on the very edge of which he humbly established himself.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

"Better draw nearer the fire, Shrimplin!" advised the judge.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

"Is it likely I could have been in earnest?" demanded Shrimplin, hitching up his chin with an air of disdain.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

As the light flared up, Shrimplin and Watt advanced with their helpless burden.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

Harbison despatched Shrimplin and Custer in quest of a physician, and he and Watt busied themselves with removing Marshall's wet clothes.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890

With the scattering of the crowd on the Square, Shrimplin climbed into his cart and drove off home.

The Just and the Unjust Vaughan Kester 1890