noon
I stand by you whatever you do . Use your own judgment ; follow your conscience and ` with God be the rest . ' '' `` A. S. '' Nathan Perry folded the note , and as he put it in his vest pocket he felt the proud beat of his heart . Fifteen minutes later when the convention adjourned for noon , Nathan and Morty Sands ran plumb into Thomas Van Dorn , sitting in the back room of the bank , wet eyed and blubbering . The Judge was slumped over the big , shining table , his jaws trembling , his hands fumbling the ink stands and paper weights . His eyes were staring and nervous , and beside him a whiskey bottle and glass told their story . The man rose , holding the table , and shrieked : `` You damned little fice dog , you -- '' this to Morty , `` you -- you -- '' Morty dashed around the table toward the Judge , but before he could reach the man to strike , the Judge was moving his jaws impotently , and grasping the thin air .