Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-05-08
With A Harrow Tooth.


ways serve to cover in harmony the
heated blood Of brothers. An un-
satisfactory settlement Of small es-
tate brought about a lawsuit which
was decided in Tam Joles' favor.
Hank Span swore that no law should
deprive him of his rights.
"What can you do?" Tam asked.
"What could Cain do?" he re-
Piled, turning on his brother-in-law
a look-the molten anger Of burning |
revenge.
"Cain could kill his brother
sWells' without removing bis
gaze.
"He could kill bis brother with q
club, but can you kill me with one"
with one or two; it makes no
difference.
Now here, Hank, / don't want
any trouble with you. This affair
has been settled by the courts"
"Was Abel settled by court?"
"Oh, well, if nothing but blood
will satisfy you, 1 am willing that
you should have enough of it.
Name the weapons and I will be with
you."
'Did Cain ask Abel to name his
weapons?"
"You are blamed fool"
Hank turned away without reply
ing. 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 des-
perate, 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 pull
pit in consequence Of having killed
a man. Tam was admitted to the
bar, but having shortly after
wards killed q prominent attorney,
was forced to surrender his license.
One day, about a week after Hank
had declared his violont intentions,
Tam was walking around in his door
yard, carrying his little boy in bis
arms. The child had been ill, and
the fresh morning air, the birds, the
old dog, and the scenes which for so
long been denied him, revived his
little spirit, and in delight 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 bis fathers shoul-
der. A stream of blood ran from bis
forehead. He quiyered, and w.s
dead.
The murderer escaped. For years
Tam followed him. At last the faith
er came home. In the meantime his
wife had died Of grief. The mis-
erable man lived alone. When the
war came, he joined the army.
Peace, peace between bloody assail-
ants. 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 tree?"
'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 he
fell frem my arms" mused the old
man. He knelt by the two graves,
and long remained with his face pres
sed against the damp moss. He
looked up with a start. Some one
with long, white beard, knelt op-
posite him.
''Who are your" =
''Hank," replied low voice.
Tam arose and held to the tree for
support. His hand struck some
thing. 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 %
''For Gods sake don't kill me.
i have suffered enough. 1 have
been dying for thirty years. have
come here to pray"
"And to die"
"Would you murder me when ]
am so penitent.''
''Ihe condemned murderer is ever
penitent. Yet justice calls for his
guilty blood"
"Tsm, sure. when you lsy on the
battle field wounded, I gave you a
drink Of water.''
"And years ago, you gave me a
drink Of grief"
''Look at me, Tam, I am old, and
almost helpless. There are not many
days leftfor me in this world.
have come far to seek this peace and
pray for pardon. / am afraid to
die. I Ibelieve in an endless hell.
Would you see me 60 there"
81 would go with you to see you
squirm.''
Tam seized his victim and threw