St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-07-05
With q Harrow Tooth.

is not likely to adjust differences, nor
does the paternal roof always serve to
cover in harmony the heated blood of
brothers. An unsatisfactory settlement
of small estate brought about law
suit which was decided in Tam Joles'
favor. Hank Spain swore that no law
should deprive him of his rights.
| What can you do2n Tam asked.
"What could Cain do?' he replied,
turning on his bro.her-in-law look
the molten anger of burning revenge.
..Cain could kill his brother"
"Well?" without removing his gaze.
He could kill his brother with a
| club, but can you kill me with one?"
with one or with two; it makes no
| difference"
.Now here. Hank. I don't want any
trouble with you. This affair has been
settled by the courts" ]"
"Was Abel settled by court?"
20. well, if nothing but blood will
satisfy you. am willing that you should
have enough of it. Name the weapons
and will be with YOU
.sDid Cain ask Abel to name his wea-
pons?"
You are a blamed fool"
Hank turned away without replying.
When he had climbed the fence, he
wheeled around. shook both fists at
Tam. and passed out of sight.
Both men were known to be desper-
ate. when aroused. In boyhood they
had come from Kentucky to the Ozark
mountains of Arkansaw, and attaining
manhood had taught school together.
Hank had attempted to preach, but
was driven from the pulpit in conse-
quence of having Killed man.
| Tam was admitted to the bar, but hav-
ing shortly afterwards killed promi-
nent attorney, was forced to surrender
| his license.
One day, about week after Hank
| had declared his violent intentions, Tam
was walking around in his door yard,
carving his little boy in his arms. The
child had been ill, and the fresh morn
ing air, the birds, the old dog, and the
scenes which for so long had been denied
him. revived his little spirit, and in de-
light he clapped his wasted hands.
Hank crept along the lane fence. The
child took off his fathers hat, threw it
on the ground and laughed Hank
thrust his gun between two rails, and
sank on his knees. The father kissed
the little fellow. and lifting him, sat
him on his shoulder. Hank fired, and
the child fell from his fathers shoulder.
A stream of blood ran from his fore
head He quivered, and was dead.
The murderer escaped. For years
Tam followed him. AT last the father
came home. In the meantime his wife
had died Of grief. The miserable man
lived alone. When the war came. he
Joined the army. Peace, peace be.
| tween bloody asSailants, but not peace
for weary man, found Tam again at
home. He had no companions. save
two graves in the orchard. Here he
| would sit for hours and hours.
| Strangers who saw him there, often
said:
Wonder why that old man sits so
long under the apple tree2'
| '.One night recently old Tam sat
under the tree. The moon was shining
brightly, and the young waving leaves
above wrought sad shadows on the
grave stone.
Thirty years ago to day since hefell
from nv arms, mused the old man. He
knelt bv the two graves, and long re.
mained with his face pressed against
the damp moss. He looked up with a
start. Some one with long, white
beard, knelt opposite him.
| "Who are you?"
"Hank," replied low voice.
| Tam arose and held to the tree for
support. His hand struck something.
An old harrow tooth in the fork of the
| tree. He grasped the iron and turned
| to the now erect form of Hank.
'.Are you ready to die::'
.sFor Gods sake don't kill me. ]
have suffered enough. | have been
dying for thirty years. | have come
here to pray.
S.And to die"
"Would you murder me when I am
so penitent.
The condemned murderer is ever
penitent. Yet justice calls for his guilty
blood
Tam, sure. when you lay on the bat
tie field wounded, l gave you drink OF
| water"
"And years ago, you gave me a
drink of grief
Look at ME, Tam. am old, and al
most helpless. There are not many
days left for me in this world. have
come far TO seek this peace and pray
for pardon am afraid to die. be-
lieve in an endless hell. Would you
see me go there"
Il would go with you to see you
squirm.
Tam seized his victim and threw him
across the graves.
80 Cod"
The harrow tooth mashed his skull.
Long after life was extinct, the avenger
continued his work of retribution.
When morning came. a bloody mass
of flesh lay scattered over two graves.
An old man, holding in his hand a
bloody harrow tooth, sat with his back
against an apple tree dead.-Opie r.
Read, in Teras Sitiings.
An English provincial newspaper
has a correspondent in London who
holds lucrative place under the Gov
ernment, and is consequently indolent,
forgetting sometimes to write his letter
but never forgetting to draw his pay.
The other day. at the end of silent
week, he wired. "No time to write let
ter. Send check" To which the editor