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(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