"Can I wait? Well, if you think I can't, you're strugglin' in the coils of error. I should say I could. Hav' n't a suit on the docket that's half as important as tendin' to this here little bankin' matter." With this, the judge tucked his thumbs in the arm-holes of his vest, crossed one foot over the other, and leaned his back against the railings of the bank--and waited.
Captain Osborn came in, and Hugh, giving him a knowing look, stated Judge Lynn's wishes.
"Well," said Captain Osborn, "I have no objections, personally, that I know of, but we usually have security."
"Now, look 'e 'ere, Captain," said the judge, "I'm assoomin' that a note with my name signed to it is jist 'bout as good as a gover'ment bond, and don't you furgit it. I've never borrowed a dollar in this 'ere bank in my life, and there is no use talkin', I have jist got to have the money or I'll be plumb locoed."
"Well, Judge," said the captain, laughing softly to himself, "if you can wait until we talk with Mr. Edward Doole, our vice-president, we will see what can be done for you. He will be here in a few minutes, and I would rather defer to his judgment in passing upon loans, once in awhile."
"All right, Captain," said the judge, "I'm 'lowin' I can wait jist as well as not,--bet yer life I can."
When the vice-president came in, Hugh, with a forewarning nod, explained to him Judge Lynn's wants.
"Well," said Mr. Doole, "you are the cashier and Captain Osborn is the president. I should think, if you do not wish to assume the responsibility of loaning the judge a thousand dollars on his individual name, that you had better refer it to the directors. I understand we are to have a directors' meeting this forenoon."
"Mr. Vice-President," said the judge, as he shut one eye and looked intently at Mr. Doole, "I'm not projectin' 'round here for fan, an' I'd like to ask, how do you feel person'ly 'bout lettin' me have the money? That's the question I'm hankerin' to have answered pow'rfal quick."
"Personally? Oh, personally," said Mr. Doole, hesitating a moment, and catching a mischievous twinkle in Captain Osborn's eye, "I would like to let you have it, of course."
"Very well," said the judge, with a flourish of his greasy coat-sleeve, "I'll jist wait till you-alls, as directors of this financial institootion, pass jedgment. Oh, I've got time to spread 'round profase-like; I'm in no hurry; bet yer life, I ain't."