The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-21
Playing a Part,

"That must be the place-it answers the
description they gave me. And now for
the trial If he don read me at the first
opening, then Iii feel pretty safe, despite
the old gentleman $ crusty temper"
The words dropped as though uncon-
sciously from the lips of horseman in
certain portion of Doniphan county,
Kansas, some ten years gone by, as he
refined in his steed just within the edge of
the timber that bordered the eastern line
of Elijah Merril's farm. The traveller
for behind his saddle was strapped a sub
stantial valse-removed his hat to allow
the fresh evening breeze to fan his heated
brow, and gazed at the odd collection Of
buildings with an amused smile. First
was the log cabin that had sheltered the
settler when he crossed the Missouri to win
a home for the black-eyed giri whom he
had left behind him in Ohio. In front of
this was substantial story-and-a-half
frame of dozen years later, and still a
l1lIu lIUul Hal hcu uIlUIlICl lCN
brick, square, grim-looking and ungainly.
Besides these there was a log smoke-hOuse,
hen-house and other buildings form
ing chain that reached to the barns and
stables.
''If ali that's said is true, then Uncle
'Lijah has sketched his character here
where all may read. Ha that must be
the old gentleman, himself
The traveller rode up to the stile~blocks
before the collection Of buildings, his
eyes fixed upon man who stood in the
doorway.
"Good evening, sir" called out the
young man, as the other made no move
ment. 81 presume this is where Mr..
Merrill lives p
Gle does on Sunday-rest o. the week
Uncle Lie runs the place. Eff you want
to see me you'd better light an hitch
Supper's jest ready an | don't wait for
no man." and, 50 speaking, the farmer
turned his broad back and disappeared
within the house.
For moment the traveller seemed taken
aback, but then, with low laugh, he
dlsmounted, htched his horse, took the
yalise under his arm and entered the house
The subdued clatter of knives and fork:
met his ear, and through the long hal
there came an appetizing odor of hot food
His hesitation was brief. A long ride hac
made him hungry, and literally followil G
his nose, he stalked into the dining-roon
the one square apartment Of the ole
log cabin.
"Set down an eat,' mumbled Uncle
Lie, his mouth full. 1--WE was spectin'
ye."
"There must be some mistake, Mr."
"Ef they is, ! haint made it. IF you r,
hungry, eat; # not, set by ontel l ain u,
growled the farmer.
Evidently resolved on accepting the sit
uation, the stranger drew chair up t(
the table and said no more until his hun
ger was appeased, though his eyes wer,
as busy as his jaws. lie saw that Uncl,
Lie was as odd in person as in character
He was several inches over SIX feet, of ar
unusually powerful build, and woul(
weigh not far from two hundred and fifty
pounds-good solid bone and muscle. His
beard was full and like his long hair
snow-white, save a narrow strip below
his chin that had, apparently, been stained
with tobacco Juice. just in the edge 0
bis hair, above his broad forehead, was
curious wen, the size and shape of ;
lemon. He sat in his shirt sleeves, tn
garment thrown open at the throat AM
breast. His only other article of dress
for he was barefooted-was a pair O
homespun jeans, dyed with oak k-bark
lie ate with bowie-knife and his fingers
from a wooden plate.
His wife, two sons and daughter wer
present, but only one of these won mucI
attention from the traveller; and befor
that silent meal was ended, he caught him
self acknowledging that he had never be
held a prettier, more graceful girl tha
rosy checked, bright-eyed, curly-heade'
Maria Merrill. She - and indeed tn
others seemed well bred, and strangely un
like the grim old patriarch who filed ON
end Of the table.