Newspaper Page Text
(VOL.XVUL
ATLANTA, GA, TUESDAY MORNING. MARCH 30,1880.
WORTHLESS NICK,
V AN ARKANSAS STORY.
by one r. bead.
[Copyrighted 1680 by 8.8. McClure.]
Everybody who lived in the neighborhood of
Clarkaon’c Ford, Ark., ngreed tbit Nick Page
waa “trifflln’ an’ no ’count.” Nick was. tall,
gaunt fellow, with a alouchlng gait and an air
of unconcern. Bla voice waa drawling, hia
eyeawere large and were lighted with that
peculiar latter the origin of which can be
traoed back to the Introduction of the tallow
candle. Nick’s mother waa a widow, and aba
and her aon lived on a amall form more produc
tive of sassafras apron ta and poirimmoa bnaheo
than of any kind of marketable vegetation.
Hre. Page'a crepe were ao uncertain that when
any one in tho neighborhood aald, “Yerkatn't
put ao mo' conferdenco in it then yer ken In
ole Mia rego’a co'n/’ it wu at once nuderatood
to be a comparison greatly damaging to the
thing of which tho potion had apokan. The
uncertainty of crepe on the Page farm waa
not canoed by neglect on tho part of Provi
dence, bnt by negleet on the part of Nick. In
“Now, here, Sis, don't ta
like he didn’t have good a,
“Pap. let me tell yer.
the oldman canid sou tta troubled oxpreealon
which the girl'a face had assumed.
“Answer mo. 11
“Pap, how could I keep him from cornin'? 1
- Ton'ttalk tW yer ole father
. When wa woa at
tin* Nick ho come up ter me an'aaya, aaya
he, ‘81a, I’m cornin’ ovur ter your houae ter
night.’ Iknowd yerdidn’iwanthlmtarcome,
but I couldn't toll him when thar wua ao many
folka er atandln' or roun or gaa in an’ or
gapin’.’’
“Could er dona it e
tor,’’ aald the old man. “2 know in ressoa-
“Pap,’’ exclaimed tho
feet, "1 hear Xlck <
tingin’. Yer aay _
cornea in the yard, ao please, air, let met go an'
tell him not ter como in.”
“Eat her go Tobo.’’aaid Mra. Crabtree.
“Oh zounds!” exclaimed tho old man turn*
leg lharply upon hia wife. “I do berlleve that
j or air race ungin' nr tho trillin' rascal. Let
John go an’toll him.’
“I ain't got no track with him," John re
plied. It waa now too dark to atudy faces- oth-
erwlae tho old man would have aeon the grato-
fol look which tho girl cut upon her brother.
“Wall, then,”laid old Tobe, “goon an’ tell
him, but come right back. Ffyer atay ’over
time I'll come an’ larrup the whelp anyhow.”
Sia hurricd.'down the lane.
“Wy, ef here ain’t ther little ’omen come
ter meet me,” aald Nick, u he diioerned
“Ho ain’t got no blinear here, let moto'l acmthtn’an’ then yer may go. Pou must I
yer,” aald old Tobe. “I’mer gro’t mir -
take a aaplin’ an* larrup him oflen
plMA.”
“Don’t tech him,” aomo one rejoined, “fur
, “Thar ain’t nowrattmdi
Nick came up and laxlly seated himself on a wnz onct told that yer t
amp, pressed hia llpe with divided lingers trouble, Sis, an’yer ha’
and spat through hia tooth. - ti»n *m> tAinttiin' that i
“Whar’ve yer been, Nickl” Sanders asked,
as he took np hia ax and began to trim the
ed tho girl, springing to har
t or oOmla’ down ther lane or
r that peril frail him if he
np Mi ax and began!
“ahonldcr” of a log,
“Nowh’ar.”
“Wh’ar yer golnt"
“No wk’in,”
“Say, Nick, before I forget It, I winter
S anmthin’. Airier this when ononv
^gjaaUrts ter foller yer, I wan t yer ter dri’
“When did one uv’em (tart ter foliar met”;
s
IMI tat
^e,«ite y “
■The old man- wiped hia eyns and said:
■MtattataBMUnde In this hare wort’! I
moot livo ter bring mo
.vo. Now, I’ve got tor
I tell ycraonithln’ that I didn’t never want yer
to know—didn’t want John thar to koow
■SI»> mo an’ Puss ain’t yar father an’ mother
We tuck yer when yer wua er littlo baby-
wait till! git through. We tuck yer cauaeyar.
father an’ mother wua dead. We aooaguuter
love—love yer mo’ then we did pore John, an’
when he wua little an’ cried in ther night, I
| we’d let him cry, but When little Bit cried, we
got oaten bed on’ warmed her l "
hammer, “don’t straighten up with it nr Ml
hive to parllxe jar. That’ait, lotit orlono.
tV’y, boyl, thor aln t but flftoon ur twenty uv
yer.
yon I
<-v
uwjw soar out » ou. imcon uc twenty
but Jed jin ftum tbernolieyer made down
thar mnat bo or iiannad.’ 1
'Nlek,’’ aald Wiley Thompson, the man who
bad tin own down the eledgo hammer, “I be
lieve jcr're right erbont this thing. I’m geln'
homo, flood-night, far—“
A few momenta later
1-nlght, fellers.”
iter tho jail and Its vlclul-
tho spring of tba year, when tbs neighbors I through tho gloom tho graceful figure of tho
wore plowing and planting, happy In tho work I girl- “Hollo, littlo ”
an' er tree fen on him an’ killed him.”
“Twan't my fanlt,”
“Yaa, It wua, fur ef yer hadn’ter beetl So
fetchtaked laxy, por’d driv him back.”
“Yaa” Nick rejoined, “an’ ef he'd been leap
cranirhe wouldn't er followed me.”
“Ob, go on, yer talk like er fool.”
“Joes a. well talk Ilka one as ter act like
one.”
Bandore with a vigorous blow, atuck hia ax i
Into a log, straightened np end eatd:
>khereNf*~
Ick Page,* don’t 'olnnota that.I
11 bop down thar an’ riam,
which brlnga a reward in the autumn. Nick,
following ahalfdoxon half-atarvaddoga, would
prowl t Itruugh tbe woods. J
“Oomo hero ter me," hia mother would axy I
when be returned hom*. "Oh, «or good for
nothin’ whelp. I’m or gre’t min' not tor let
yor have er mon’ful nv nothin’ ter eat. Hero
yar air, a atrappln' boy 91 yean ole, an’ with'
not u much mom as a 10-year olo ohllo. Ido
think in my ami that per air ther no ’eoant-
<*», good fur nothinlat whelp I ever seed oense
I waa pvt on ther top aide nvflod’ul mighty's
youth. When air yer goln’ ter break up that
groun’, aay J”
“Borgia on it in ther morula', I reckon.”
“Do per know what yer may do of yer
don’t! Yrr may take yeraelf erway from 1
. kcrean’.ncver put ver loot on thlehero place
ao mo' while breath’o In my body. Ain't got
long ter live, on’ ter think that thar aon that
1 have raised and kacred fur—far—”
“Thar now, mom; don’t cry. Ml go ter
work ter mor 1 —blame It, ef yer keep on er
crjln’ 111 jump tbor fonco an’ novor come back
“Hath, Nick. Step right wbar yer air aa'
don’t aay er word toll I git through. Pap it
awful mad at yer an’ aw’ata that c? ever yer
como In the yard ag’ln he will take er pole on’
frail yer."
“ whnt’s he mad at me ex bout!”
“I don't know.”
“Ye» yer do,” sold Nick, at ho placed one'
hand on tho rail fence.
“Wall, be says yer ain’t no ’ooont.”
"Got er right to aay it, I reokoo. Let’s go
an* argy tho question with him.”
For pity take. Nick, yer don’t kndw what
yertro talkin’ er bout. He'll frail yer Jos’ es
ooOta ea yer pat yer foot In thor yard.”. ■)
fence'” 11 ’ 1 ken<tu>ouUldeau ’cross the
"Ob, Nlek, please go back. Ef yer loro mo,
don’t come hero no mo’.”
“Ef I love yer, bow ksa I he'p cumin?”
“Flcaae don't talk flutter way, bat go back
an’ don t come no mo’ tell pop aaya yer mout.
1 lease gonway, N lek,” tho implored, advano
id placing her hands on hit shoulders.
•took
ack liko or fool or I’ll
tho daylight* oaten
“Slam mo an' yor’Il uoveralam nobody else,".
Nick cstoleaoly replied.
“Hold on, Moae," aomobody shouted. Sai
don tad jumped down from hit cornar, am
wlthungoutls muttering., was “making
got oaten bed an' warmed her by tho fire,
’cause tho pore little thing's mother an’ father
wua dead. Thar. I'm done. Yar ain’t no
child uv mine. Go!”
“Oh, my cohort" cried tho girl aa she sank
upon the floor, and threw her arms around
the eld man's knees, “ok, let mo stay, fur I
loreycrao. Ikalntstand to know that I
, ain't yer ehild-I kalnt laavo—”
She sobbed convulslrcly. Tbe old mu tc
derly raised her to her feet and klmed har.
She threw off her shawl, hung her bonnet on
a peg and sat down, From the woods than
came a shrill whistle. Tbe girl trembled vio
lently bot did not arias from her chair.
- Ona day tho neighborhood of Clarkson's
Ford and ita capital, tho crossroads town of
Beverly, wore greatly excited by tho report
that More Banders had murdered Tal Smith,
Tho two men had quarreled la a “doggery,”
and rumor said that Smith left tho place tfrit
and that Sandora, boiling with wrath, over
took and killed him with • knife. Ban
dots was soiled and confinad In tho log Jill
ty were quiet. Tho next morning wbun Mra.
l'age wont Into Nlok’s - room to awake him,
oho woo surprised at not finding him in bad.
Just then, glancing through a window, aha
beheld aa unexpected eigot—Nick plowing la
the field. She called him, and when ho os esc
to breokfiist he raid:
“Mam, yar look ot me liko I was a stran-
gor."
“.Wall, Ar goodness sake, aon, wbut'a got
Interior?”
Nick told bor of tho affair at tho jail.
“Now, mam,” said he, whan she bad ceased
' eg bla courage, “no mo’ foolishness for
I'm erbout u stranog u thor noxtman,
an’ from this time on I’m golo’.tor work. I’m
goln’ to oeo this olo kouoe fixed up like It was
In pap's Ufa time, an”«teadaviooln'yar w'arin’
that olo coat, I'm goin' ter git yer a new one.
Yre on’ mor'n that, mam, I’m goln’ ter sorter
ollek np er little au' go ter ehuroh with yer.”
Tho old woman threw her arms around,
Nlck’a neck: “Oh, my boy,” she laid, “yer
don’t know how happy yer make this pore ole
heart. My Ufo h«« been nearly bothered oaten
mo, thlnkln' uv whut wua gain’ ter booome ur
ue, but now, thank tho Lawd—“
“Thar, now, mam, thar now. Locarno bar-
ry back ter work. I fed my borsea afore day
. •- im with ’em."
j — .. timidity.
Tobe would never have agreed that man waa
mado to mourn, but that man waa mado to
work. Mr. Crabtree, although confessedly ro
- ~' —
orpifnimmcht nt
Afttrmfil ring through a sermon more nota
ble on account of bodily than of mental
strength, tho old men would go Into tho field:
and, scarcely able to resist the temptation or
laying bold of apronts which In spite of oil hia
foimcrrdbrtagrew among the com, would
linger there until anmmonnd to ask a bleating
over corn bread, hag's Jowl and tamtp greens.
Mrs. Cisbtrce was a weak woman who seemed
to have warn herself out with a pair of cotton
cards. She had been taught to baUsvo that
tho looter she wore herself i
saints would smUe upon her
light nf approval. John Crabtreo, a young
S i ofniuch industry, waatha only aon of tho
couple. Ho had but little to aay, but waa
most popular young man in tha conn- |
munity. Feoplo raid that ho would be the
next aberiff of the county. There was one
member of the Crabtno family who waa a
favorite with every one—Sia, tho daughter.
Nothing could have been blacker than her hair,
nothing could hove excelled
n
an’ then an* thar I got ther west uv it. I fit
like or whitehead, but I didn’t peer ter fare
him. So my freu’o wanted ter kanglilm when
it got noratod round, oh? I wuah vot’d go an’
lot him out,”
When Sandora waa liberated, without a top
ping (o thank the men who bad oponed tho
Jail doer, be went atralglitiray to the 1’ago
piece; nud seeing Nick plowing in a Hold
climbed over a fence and approachod him,
“Holloa, Nick.’.’
“Whoa; w’y hellos, Mow, when’g’or (It
out?” ,
“Jos’ wbllcr go. Say, Iwant’er thank yor
iur whet yon—oh, dang it, I ken fight or man,
but I don’t know how ter thank him.”
"Don’t try it, Mosc. Dam it, air yer goin’
erstan'thar an’ shed tears? Hero lately !»■
ccra liko over’ body that comos ronnd mo
wunatcrt^Mubbor. Ain't gut time tor talk
}, c £7* r ’
Shortly alter Sandora left
(lit op,” pulling bis plow lino.
PRIOE'-FrVE CENTS,
him. Sia, who bad just taken np a biasing
chunk ou a shovel to atari the kitchen fire,
turned toward thedoor.
"Wall, fur pity.sake, Nick, whut did you
como fUr?” ■ ; ? •
81)0 attempted to bo careless, bat tear!
streamed from her eyas.
Ulk" oaiyovoore,' '
eft X) floTJ.’NM? ^W»^r!tp^‘
“I KAINT STAND TO ENOW THAT! AINX. 7X8 CHIU)—I KAIXT Ctlri’ 1
Nick. “Jaa atop right thar, fur wo don’t wiut
no row here,” .
UV,
WO
V
“I’m rat cosnxo, pax,”
“I’morramin’r’ahoahoatod; then seizing
Nick, she kissed him, and whispered:
know yor air no’ count, Nick, bnt I kalnt ho’p
lovin’ yor. flood byo.”
cor than her hair, I , “John!” aald old Tobe, a few days later, “ex
tha brightness of I ther groan’ io too wet ter plow on’ ex or gtn’l
. j rivaled tta Air- I wot spoil peers ter be oomln’ on, bluer good
her face. Worthless' Nick land 81s, I time ter raise tier bam. Yer’d better gft(
■ -w hom on tell tho neighbor that wall wai
lelr h.p briiht’n ’arly tor mor* mawuin’,”
All right, air.”
while the family act under n hickory trek in I . “An' aay, John, be aho* an’ tell More San-,
thoyird, “dldtft I tell yer not ter talk to that | deratin' Tal Smith that they mu' como
“ v “■ ‘ ter take up
no raw here. 1
More stopped and OldTbbo said; "Doh't
tech ther trullii' thing, Mote, Ho ain't wuth
■r good heatin’.”
“I’ll '
■■Ian' ther very next limn I hatch yer
outwhmw nobody won't hear yep holler I’ll
I glvo It to yor." % ‘ '7p *
A white rag finttsred In the yard, a signal
which every one understood, “dome, man, i
dinner’s ready,” said old Tobe. “Say, Nlek
Page,” thoold man added u Nick got otr.tk
| (tunre and began to atretch himself, “Idoal
mlndftedln’anypuaon that’shanngry,hot
no-’eount Nick Page?’
“Yu, air: I b’levo yor did.”
whnrtber or no, fur I wan
I., m, . w lax. joz u,u. I ther corners.”
dn't I ace yer talkin' ter him at mootin' I . Tho Crabtrees were utlr at an early hoar
y?’ I tha nsxt morning. “I don’t see whut any-
“I reckon yer moat've.” I body wants ter live this way fhr,” Bla remark-
“Then whnt ther devil—may they Lewd I ed to her mother. "Thar’e alloe eomothln’on
furgivo mo fhr usin’ alch er 'apreaaion on er I ban’s ter drag er body oaten bod.”
£0Dd*y—whnt did yer do it fart” * "Hmi» i>nah v.. —*—
“I—I—didn’t go Ur."
^^Ob, that np, now. t kan talk ter or aonai-
hear mo?”
a.MIVI.1. —
hero, now. I
“Ain’t deef,” Nick replied,
“Wall, then, el*ar out from
don’t want yer 'roun' boro, an’ In tip presence
"men I —
nv there here
fia’r winin’.
got ^io farther argyment ter carry on with |
"Tobiaa, don’t acold tho child,” Mra. Crab
tree meekly euggeited.
“I eln’t o aeoldln’ nv her, Fnee;” the old man
replied. “I only want her ter un’erstaa’ that
she mnan’t fool roan’ with that trifiln’ Alter.
scourin'. Ef •ho’a ao keen ter merry,
w’y don’t aho marry Wilson, ther
sheriff? He's putty nigh deed after her; bnt
no* ibo most fling him ta one aide, like er ole
coot, an’lorn ter er fool not finin'ter be tuk
enter the mod ter keep a waggin’ from roo
tlin'over him. Ershanffi mind yor; er sheriff
nv or county that’s potty nigh oaten debt, bo- I
in’ Hung or lido Ar each a thing os that! Lem
ma tall yer somethin’; there moat bo some good
nlnts iner drunken loafer, bat thor re her
ifer ain't no ’count whatever. When whisky
ii • ver urug cr uoay ouu
"Hnah, Sis; hash. Yar pap'a mad already^
Thar bangs got in ther fier tea' night an' have
. rested np mighty nigh aUnv what littlo dab
talks like er I nv wheat wa bad.”
, ’’Wall, rcur I ksin’t help that. Unit I bo
drag oaten bed ever* time thar hangs route op
inything?”
’ Sla, oh, Sis,”, called Old Tobe.
t|i||y“> I’m er cornin’ efyarjis’ giro mo
“So Is Chrismna or enmin’.’’ tbe old man re
torted, “Come on, now, an'attr your stunipa.
hou an’ yer mother’ll hove er putty tight pull
terdav. Hurry up, fur aomo ur tbor man air
already in sight, an’ it 'ad bo er evorlaetiu’.
sbamo fur ’em to find ony uv ua in bed.”, I
More Sanders and Tal Smith catered tho
yard end were warmly welcomed. Sandora
was a short mu with a red neck, and hair
which looked like the dead' silk on oo ear of
core. He had never been esteemed on aocouna
Of intellectual activity, bat wu noted for the
dexterity with which ho coold liandlo nu ax.
Tal Bmitb.aa his acquaintances aald, (track a
pretty Air average In every way. without being
remarkable In anything excepting, however,
makes er mon loaf, hit gln’rolly lots him go I on oppctitewhii-h defied competition, and which
back ter work agin’ when hit gite dons or pi- I lingered long at table before acknowledging
hen natur tells a man ter I aatlafictlon.
c ter work irm 1
ntnuv him, but when
loaf, thar.ain’t no nae'n foolin’ with Urn, Sis!'
“Yea, pop.”
“Did yrr hear whut I laid ?”
“Yaa. air.”
“Wall, then, mark whut I've told yor, on'
here’s sun thin’ else I want yer ter undsntan'
in uastteulrr.nn* that this: I don’t want that
Alter tvr como on ther place no mof; Ef ho
does bit woa't be good for him, far I wuah I
1 him with tho fast
i nan’ here
Ho was «lt-
tlm^MUha rround cutting np tnfta of grass
“Yer don’t any rat” tha old mam exclaimed.
“I reckon I mid so,” John replied.
“Do you year that, Pais?” the old man
asked, turning to bla wife.
“Yea, I hear it.”
“Wall. I'm goin’ to do whut I sed I’d do ef
hecomreintertUoyird. I'll frail him, I'll
tail him. I tell yer. toll he'll think he’s wore
hod at tea .Jy oat. I won't pot np with klra no
**“§fcie,I wouldn't frail bio,” taid Mra.
Cnbtm.
“Whut," vociferated the old man, “wouldn’t ]
frail him? Pun, I wuah I may dte daod ef I
don’t believe that yor air takin’ up Ar
Uni.”
I’Oh. oO-Tobe- oh no. I ain't. I reckon yer'd I “Wall, dog my cater’ exclaimed Sandora,
better frail him! Tobe.” I atandlDr erect on his corner and shading bis
“I'll do bit jmt aa shore aa be comas in tbit eye* eomjaWetttii
here yard. 8k whut mads him aay ha wu Nick. Whnt birena baa ha got hose, yor
•cornin' hero tonight?" I reckon? Didn’t thtak bo wonted ter hi
Twilight wu merging into deeper desk, but | roan’ uy place whir work wax gain’ on.”
Uiirhtj glad ter cco
Tobe. “Como in. Ha won't bite yor. flit out!”
be exclaimed, storming at a dog. "Walk right
in.”
Tba men ait down. Sis entered tha room.
Tbe two men nodded tbolr heads at her.
“She looks ea putty ex ar pink tbiamawain',”
said Smith.
“Mnat be er thlnkln' uv her oweothot,” Ban
dera raggeatad'.
“I haven’t been doin’ no alcb uv er thlog,”
Sia abarply retorted. “I ain’t got none."
“Ill, bub! yor kaia't tell nt that way,” arid
Bandera. “Nearly ever’ yonug feller lu ther
nelrhborhocd is cr cnttln' ther eyre ot yor."
■•Wall, tbry nce'o ter.”
‘ flenllenif n.” taid Old Tobe, “if yer'»e had
bnakfos’ yer’d better como oo, for 1 her tlicr
other folks romlu’. I did winter get slither
legs pot np terdsy ao'a I ken kiver ther ruff at
my liehnr.”
lit arty collaboration makes hud work easy,
otherwise tho building of an oid-Aahioned
barn would bo a ted ions schoirement. Tho
men went to work with rough bat good hu
mored badinage. Every nan who had ajoko
on uy one alto who was present told it. Chips
flew from the corners where ekillfu! axman
made tha logs join, and atrong arms, with
budspikes and “skids,” staved enormous tim
bers into position.
“Well, dog ray cate?' exclaimed Sudors,
R tlenenlwaat
^er ever pot yer foot in
‘Which foot?” Nick broke in before the old
n could finish tho sentence.
'Hit don't make no diffhnso which cue.
Hull out from bore, now. Como, gentlomen,
an'leu eat soothin'.”
That night, Joat after thaAmlly bad oaten
snppar, Sla, wwduriag tho day had appeared
nervous, arose from a reel where aho had bean
buried ta meditation, drew a shawl around her
in an agitated manner, turned to old Tube and
raidi
"Father.”
It wu tha first tins ah* bad ever exiled
him father, ud old Tube looked op with o
atari. ”
"W’y, 8tasle"—ho always said Stale during
hit tenderrat momenta—“what's tta
ter??'
“Father an’ mother an’ yon, brother John, I;
mne’ leave yor.” 1
“Whet!” tho old man and hia wife In aston
ishment exclaimed. John looked np from a
new ax handle which he waa scraping with a
piece of glare, hot aald nothing.
“Yea,! mnat leave yer," aho repotted ax,
with a shudder, she draw the shawl tightly
aitnnd her shoulders. “Yor'II novor know
hosp much I lore yen but yer’ll think when
''m gone how unworthy I've situs been.”
“Lewd bless my soul,” vociferated tho old
man, “what does aha moan?"
John hod retained tta work of senping tho
ax-bondk, bat apon hearing hia father’s last
exclamation, looked up and said:
“Air yer all Mine? Kaln’t yor am, pap, that
iho's goln’ or way; gobs’er way ter marry Nick
The aid man with a rear sprang from his
scat.
‘Toble, Tobia,” aald Mra. Crabtree, “Tobin,
mind yer m’tf she gently took hold of her
husband's arm.
“flit away, Pots, don’t temper with me.
Sia!”
‘Yaa, air."
-Whut air yer gain’ ter do?”
'I am goln' out la ther woods whar Nick la
waitin’ Air mo. Then mn on’ him air goin’ ter
git married. I knew that ta ain’t no ’count,
Ather; oh, yea, I know that,” clasping her
hands, “hot I cxn’t he’p lovin'him. Oh, pip.
I nush yer could know how I do lure yer, list
yr r cain’t; no, yer cain't.”
The old man struggled with bimwIC lllo
wife, with solt words attempted to soothe him.
“1 know yer will hate me,” the MmhHeg
girl continued, “bnt I ain’t he’p It. I no!
liko somebody lias tied o rope ’round my wain
an’ ea erpullm’ it."
“Sis,” said the old man, raising his left arm
— his right am waa held by Mra. Crabtree—
“Sla, I tape ter God that yer’d sink inter hell
afore mawnin’.’’
“Ob, rap, don’t any that,” pleaded tta girl.
“Yu,Ido. I hope-no I don't,"her-rotinned,
becoming strangely calm. "Pose,” turning
with sorrowful gentleness to hia wtfe,*I btl
hoped, hath uv na had taped, that this tima
aevir would come. Bis, I mutt tell yar
reffi^K^'h’irau
They aivoro vcngcanco. Soou an i
mob hail collected In tho vicinity or „
The sheriff called on Ills friends to hoL JB
protect tho prisoner in case tho jail ware at
tacked, but tho shcrlira frionda wore alio the
friends of tbe murdered man. An anxious
night set in, a night which Wilaea. tho sheriff,
know would bo eventful. Tho mob had built
ramn fircsin the woods, and, hy tha-light of
[tho fire*, Wilson raw a Jog passed ronnd anil
round, Tho fires buraod low. A.wild yoll
arose. Wllaon sprang upon a homo and gald
‘Break down that do;" abouted tho leader ofl
toettob*
bSsssjsas■5*H
“Step,” Nick demanded, '■flentlemen, If
yer do anything rash yertl bo mighty sorry
“r It tcr-mor’, Yor don’t know whether
Bandera committed murder nr not Stop, I
•® n Jfrt »•“ * much or count, an’ail
| that, hut the feat man that hits that do' gits
er aockdollger.” He drew an immonas rovol-l
Ivor. Er man that ain’t no 'coant don’t kero
ranch ter lira, yer know. Say, tnthor day i
hard a man read oaten er yankeo paper that
law In this hero counter, anl
right then I lowed tor rnvrelf that if I otr
lad or chance I’d Ms of thar won't. I’ve got,
thor ehauco an’bays sorter como ter thor’c"a-
rirathat thar is »littlo law iayin' ’roun’ ram- I
‘‘What’i that matter with vert" some onsl
leried. “Hero yer Argot that Mow Sandora
woagwlno terwhup yor aa soon as ta natch
ynr cat.'
jookJflffup whon bo nrrivod nt'tho and of .
uw WIicj Tbomi»*on ilttinx on tho
j«nco. - v
•"IWtin’ ftir.yer, Kick," cciil Thompson,
bo «ot off tho fonco nd shook Iiautls witli tho
plowman.
'‘WaiJ,I'mhanJ* . .. .
I Wo, nn' now that air h«ro, r want
ortcll yer somethin’. Las’n^Iit me an’
potsal nv tbor boys had a mootin', an' wo all
[lowed that KlclcJ'ngo wua dotJJish K »od tin
bar fur sheriff. Tho 'icokshorl ain't far off hi
'Iwtod c*»»y m Callin' offon n law#:,
ML AnaaxU* u W^y,^don’t sremi w .,„ t
“Sw’or I do..’
“W<y.” raid Nick, rata cloaned tho mold
board of hia plow with hia foot, “of thoy wul-
ter loot mo J might mommox thar olllrojr'T
NonUI.r been cr two-banded L
Jflek replied. "Wo air talkln tout rem'thln’
alto now. I’d like ter reason this thing, Cal-
!»?»’ y eteVtejUIn* tar do it, bat yer mu.n’t!
tech that do’.” '
.‘‘ J1 e.»ln'» got no rao’ unre then ter shoot or
feller.” said a nun who felt that his cause was
growing weak.
“Now yo’vo struck, It pad oar.”
This raired e laugh. Niek continued: 'T..
been tryln' ter find out fur many er day what
I n> fit Ar, an’ I have Jest djxklvered that it la
ter hill remn fellar. I never wouldar found it
out «f 1 hadii'Wr kep’draamln’ uvlt. Bays,
1 know mighty well that yor could kill ms
r. (
“W’Y, Ts» lUTXTu shoot asm nxaomsiao
vucsu ituusa yod at*”
and toko charge uv this yer eotebUshmoat,but
whut a shame it’ad be. Tta prreetar would
say, ’taws or moaxy, they've killed that no
’count Nlek un’erbfoaaed poor pieee nv work
Iboy’ve done, too.’ No, boya, 1st ther Uw toko
her crane, We nil know Hsndsra on’ wo
“W’y. I’d hat* tor abort rich er promisin’
E ng feller re yon air. That's er man, Wliay,
g it down. Hold on thor.” Urelmg tta
ptatol at some one who ateopsd to take np tta
“No danger uv that, Ar all yor want Is tor
git at clo’k to do yor writln’ part. Jla’ think,
Nick, nv tho monny yor can make. Thar
alnt no doubt er bout yer ’icckxbun fur
yer name’s in erer’body’a niooth. ' Whnt do
watmjT' v, e jxiriattiitei r
"All right, of they loct too 111 serve.”
■ Bo was sleeted. Eveeyonoiv.n so K»vb.in
to aeo a “pore boy,” whom all had denounced,
rewarded for bla daring achievement, that no
candidate, In apparition' to Nlek, was an-
I *on need. Shortly attar the now sheriff w*a
inotaJled. and while ho waa sitting alone In
hia office, old Tobe Crahtreo, after mueh oxer-
tlon In wiping hia feet at the door, entered
tho room, Nick quickly arose and brought a
chair for the old man.
"Mr. 1’ago,” xaid 1
I Bara, tiaa woods wua L.......
■ ’’Ob, midlln'.”
“.'•iais veil, I hone,’’
"Yoe, .he's well, but i
teen peart eento
; she ain't peart. Ala’!
“Yaa, she's well, bo
won peart aenoo that night when yar tad'yar
'rangemonUtormoet h or In thor woods.”
"Wall,I’ll toMyoriNIck." He then ml
tbe ineldant which bad occurred
on tha night
hove Ar her that—wall, tbar ain't no nae’n
talkin’ erbottt polortlcka,” summoning an air
of ranJeasneSa “Ever'thlng'll como ont all
right airier while. Ain't got no ’Jsotloa ter
me marry In' Sia now, bars yet?"
“None under ther heavens.”
"Jea’ beresuse I bantered thar mob an' saved
cr mcn'fl life. I reckon."
"No, not by ar blame right,” old Tata re
plied, vigorously punching the fioorwlth his
•tick.” “Not hcrratlM Top «n r
mob, hot
jo yor ain’t afeered nv ar boao
an- plow. I do felovs that creek bottom Hot'
nv yohrn will moke thw finest eo'n in th.r
curmnnity. I tall yer {tat rack eo’n as that
ongMcrbo.r rick.rm.ndatlun ter any man.’!
"I'm glad yoriva oomo ’roond all right, ola
man,” raid Nick.
“Who wouldn’t come ronnd oil right!” Tdbi
replied. “I tell yor wbofo o feck, that eo'n
will ketch Us bnt av 'am. I boom thotyar’v*
rot Mora Sandora an Tal Smith aa da port Ws.
I’m rlad nv It,” Tobe added, when Nlek had
answered afllrmallvcly. “Tal had or mighty
clean ralL Hay, Nick-mnat call yor by y»
fust name—eposon yor ooan* ’long tamo with
It’o a I;nog way., L’nk Tobe,an’ we eouidn’
tit tbar efui nlabt."
“I knew Uat bein’ aboriff It lita er man
ealio’ pop eo’n, lakes all hia erteotloa, bat
•bet op yrr shop an’ arm*.”
Niek bad resoivadn*vartogotoTob*’ih*aa*
■gain, but now Uat ta knaw why 8b had flsll-
l old Tobo Itnpjr-
rd to meet him, and now that _
terad bj 1 ”’ taaraaralod Aa Ue two men rerio
along Nidt wondered what Sla would any when
be entered the house. A tremor soiled bhn aa
be neared tba place.
“X« d * T rjreJoha ter feed thar c.tUa,"aaid
^ *l e w “ * ola tar ran Arstarto;
tat wtan ta beam you ana goln’ ter ran (is
wouldn't oomo out agin yor."
Nick did not reply. When bo dkmrantod
ot Ue *x!o he kicked, first wttb out f.»t and
then willi tho other, io smooth down hia pan-
talooDf.
^ el»-a know how -ppm-l.te.or .Us. wm
Tohifil^d^fek^. Altewal I ‘ UM *” B ^
“ms. Via ACK J.IKK YKR WANTIB KUSVICK
BIOUT nxnx.” , , ,
Old TObtr took tho shovel, throw the chunk
Into Ue firejilaco and arid: “Slerie. I told him
Whnt yrr done when yer found out that me
snM’uaetnckyorwhen yorwuza pom little
thing without no father all' mothor. PuM.yer
ack liko per winter kiss Nick right boro.
Wall, or man that’s got that sorter eo'n ia
tilled tor—Uat’a it.”
Nick had put hia urma around Sla, or per-
haiiPuas Crabtree would have killed him.
. “Honey,’’arid Nick, aa ho atill stood with
hia arms about tho girl. “I niter wtihyor
wua aa ugly aa homo-mado sin,”
“Why, ifickr
“Bercauso I true orfeord yer aruz too putty
Ur live.”
“Tobe," raid Mrs. Crabtree, "wo anghter
offer up pra’r right now.”
"Oh, no,” old Toll* replied, looking errand
at tho chunk which he had thrown Into tho
fire; “Jos’ wait till wo git a snack ter cat aa’
then WO'll feeler lectio mo* thankful.”
THE LQVg-StCIC SENATOtt.
DxtnoiT, Mich, March 83.—A reporter waa
eourfronaly received by Senator Janos, of
Florida, at Ii Is room In tbo llon.ll houso. Tbs
.enatorwaa In hia ahlrt ilsovoa smoklag a
cigar. lit bad ovldentlybeen writing aletter.
Before him on tho table was strewn a mail of
correspondence, Fecplug out from among
burinria letters and ofilciri documouts weru
kviraldainty euvolopea addressed inn feiul-
nlno hand.
-' ^Senator, would you liko to deny authorita
tively the .lories which are being circulated
throughout the country about you?” ho waa
linked,
JTh. ignitor, assuming a look of xurpria., as
Aa this wua tho first tlm. j
per man hwl approach^ tho senator din™,
on thodcllcato matter of hia attention- to a
Detroit lady, and M Mr. Jonca waa atratchod
to his full toworlng hoigbt, tho quo-tloner
hesitated, bnt went on: "Why, you know,
senator, thow storlra Uat havo been tele-
grapliol all over the country from boro,
and havo been pnbllahed In varlona forma In
all ibe leading papors.”
The aenator’a .tern feature! relaYoil some
what, but ho waa atill serious and dlgnlfiod.
“I know of no atorleo that havo boon pnb-
Uabod about me save those of tlio moit strictly
prlyato nature. They oroof a matter with
wblob publio papers, Washington people amt
Florida peoplo have nothing whatever to do.
Tliey aro my own affairs, and I prop.mo to a.y
nothing about them.”
“But your continued abienco from Washing
ton J. It not ora public nature?”
‘Toaalblv It may ho."
“When do you return?’
“I shall certainly not-go back until I got
ready. “Mfiaftt ready yet.”
U paired on political queatloni?"
_ , . - Hint matter witli my friend! at
Washington. I’understand from them that
they havo paired mo with Senator Bowen of
Colorado.”
“Then you wish to aay nothing at all about
thofctorlcV/'*
“Atthlatlmo, nothing,” Tho senator scowl
ed a little and ait bis lips firmly together.
Then ta continued: "Bat tho tlmo will como
when I shall bare something to say eoncorn-
In* theeo things. When I do lay anything It
will not bain any nncertaln tons. That you
csji Mf m com lug from mr.”
Wamiinuton, March S3.—It la raid that
Senator Jones, of Florida, last last to return
to Washington. He has at last learned that
Ue object of his undying affection has loft
Detroit and lias not bean there for aomo tlmo.
It la aald tbe father of Ml-i I’alm some tlmo
ogo, despairing of cerardng tho unpleasant
notoriety connected with tho eenstor'e por-
elstcnt ridewalk eourlehlp of bla daughter,
unlrtly sent her out of towo.
Thereout of her departure waskopt for some
time. It Is Mid by soma of the friends of tho
Amily Uat eta ta lu Florida, Hcnator Jonea's
own state. Others aay aho baa gone to Bn-
ropc. Evidently If abo had come to Waehl ng -
toaatateoold havo boon safer from pursuit
than anywhere else, aa Jonca baa a perfect
horror cf returning to tho sonete on
seconnt of Ue merollcta ridicule which
be knows owslta him thorn. Homo of
tho Florida people hero think Jouoa'a
pcirieteat and willfol aheenco from tlm
u rate ecnotitates a vacancy, and that the gov
ernor at Florida would b« entitled to apimlnt
a lurreraor. It may bo tbo governor will ap-
1-oint a anneesaor to Jones merely for the pur-
poto of making a Uet of tbo case.
Tbo flirt* All In Bed.
Item au Kxrhanjcc.
|lrl ud woman la now wearing rod In
or other," * Now York modUte re-
A few week* ago It waa all yellow, but
don't u* any yellow at air. TRo red
with a how lu luo liaty or bonnet*, then
.became all red. trimmed with a buck
•Uk cord, and were mado liko the Lillian Kuweit
hat. Du n the crate for re«l extended to frown*.
r l he ktrtet coktume, or rctl aack triunited with blaek
flic cord, a Tery military lfMiklnir coat, it all
tbe rtjltj and the moro military tho t>eUer.
For the opera red gowns aro quite proper. Krery-
ulsiwlgtjwn*, red •upper», red feather*,
tread to foot. Moat of the red drtan aro
ow, and are trimmed with white lace.
■ that t’AUMrd a ufftt (-eiiaalirm waa worn
aycuna lady at the opera recently. One-half
ec walstWas red idiac ami ono half white lace,
reparation runnlac from tho left
qutlv acroMher waltt to right »wlo
joked a* if a loofee red w«Ut had
flipped far down over the right ahouliler.”
Get* a finlwcrlber From Xearly Kvmrj Copy.
All Uiat I* needed to get fnbwribcr* to Tub Cov«
nmnioH la to let tho peoplo kce a copy and tell
them how cheap U U. Generally the drat Mmpto
*r, bat the aecond nerer falls.
— * '■ Mr. James M. Hunt,
*ly to sen-l lu.
watch for oao
... k pmBO
rent out nmple eople* to the best men In tho
, an<l got a subscriber from nearly erery
f-end wore ■pcclmvns at once.*'
• Mr. Hunt aclsd wisely in giVlt/r the specimen*
to the hist wen In the county, for It i« always that
class that know how to appreciate, or that will
C“
indistinct print