Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-11-17
BRISTOL VIRGINIA TENNESSEE FRIDAY NOVEMBER IT, 1871 Vd

l shant tell you what it is Ter. So now
If you won't travel. why take off your
coat and get ready fer a thrashing."
The master took off his coat and
showed his slender arms, But laid off
his, and showed the physique of 4
prize-fighter. q
you amt agoin to fight nae ~ said
Bud.
Not unless you make me-"
why could cl,aw you all up.p
~ know that" - - ats
We'll you're the grittiest feller I
ever did see, and eff you'd just keep Off
my ground 1 wouldn't a-touched you.
But amt a gOin' to he cut by no fell
Ter livin' thout tirashin' him in an
inch of hisiife. You see WANTED to
git out of this Flas Crick way. We
are lOw-livcd set here in Flat Crick.
And l says TO myself, l try to be
sOmcthin' more nor Pete Jones'. and
dad, and these ether trifiini good7for-
Earthin' Ones bout here. And when
you come says, there's one as'll help
me. And what do you do with your
bOOk-larnin' and town manners but
start right out to git away the gals
that I've picked out, when | picked
her out kasc thought, not oein' Flat
Crick born herself, she might help
feIler to do better! Now i won't let
nobody cut me out without givin' 'em
the best thrashin' it's in these 'ere
arms to give,
''But I haven't tried to cut you
OUT
"You can't f:,ol me-"
MI isfn IN n IN
me if you will. I went with that girl
once. When | found you had some
claims, gave her up. Not because
was afraid of you, for | wOuld rather
have taken the worst thrashing you
can give me than give her up. But
haven't spoken one word to her since
the night of the first spelling-schoOl."
you lie" said Bud, doubling his
fists.
Ralph grew red.
You were awaiting on her last
Sunday right asore my eyes, and a-try-
in to ketch my attention too So
when you're ready say s0."
"Bud, there il some misunderstand-
ing" Hartsook spoke slowly and felt
bewil,iered. ~ tell ysu that Il I'd not
speak to Hannah last Sunday, and
you know di,ln't."
:" Hannerr' Buds eyes grew large
Hannerw Here he gasped for
breath, and looked around. Han
ner !" He couldn't get any further
than the name at first. Why, plague
take it, who said Hanner?'
Mirandy slid you were cOurting
Hannah" said Ralph. feeling round
in vague way to get his ideas tOgeth-
er.
Mirsndy! Thunder! You believed
Mirandy! Well! Now loOky here.
Mr.. HartsOok. ef you was to say that
my sister lied, I'd lick you till yer
hide wouldn' hold shucks. But say,
atwixt you and me aud the gate-pOst,
don't you never believe anything that
Mirandy Means says. Her and marm
has set themselves like fools to git you.
Hammer! Well, she's u mighty nice
gal. but you're welcome to her. new
er tuck no shine that air way But ]
was out of school last Thursday and
Friday ashucking corn To take To mill
Il Saturday. And when come past the
Squire's and seed YOU talking to q gal
as is q gal, you know here Bud
hesitated and looked foolish II felt
hoppin' mad"
Bud put on his coat.
Ralph put on his coat.
Then they shook hands and Bud
went out. Ralph sat looking into the
fire. There was no conscientious diff
Guilty now i'm the way of his claiming
Hannah. The dry forestick lying on
the rude stone andir0n. burst into a
blaze. The smoldering hope in the
heart of Ralph HartsOok did the same.
He could have Hannah il lie could
win her. But there came slowly back
the recollection of his lost standing i'm
Flat Creek. Thcre WIS circumstan-
tial evidence against him. Ii was evil
dent that Hannah believed something
of this. What other stories Small
may have put in circulation he did
not know. Would Small Y 10 win
Hannah's love t0 throw it away again
as he had done with others? At least
he would not spare any pains To turn
the heart of the bound girl against
Ralph.
The bright flame on the forestick
which Ralph had been watching flick |
cred and burned low.