The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-09

Buck will let us have his Gum Hill place free of
rent until can make enough to buy one of our
own"
He felt his mother'give slight shudder at the
mention of the name of Black Sinkler. His
fathers face became yellow.
Your cousin Buck, hail." he cried, trembling,
with more than one wretched thought.
Already maxim your arrangements, hah!
Ryais right, damned if he amt! I'm goin' to
Ryal. and swear"
1t was horrld oath. Then ordering his horse
it was late in the evening-he rode away.
"What upon earth did he mean by those
words, motherg" asked Wiley in stupefed aston
ishment
sOh, Wiley, Wiley!r
She threw her arms around him, and they
both wept sore.
CHAPTER H.
For fifty years Long Tom Towns had been
what they called rusher. Beginning his indie
pendent career poor orphan he accumulated
property rapidly, and at the death of his first
wife, leaving one child, was one of the wealthiest
men in the neighborhood. His plantation ad-
Joined that of Mr. John Sinkler whose daughter
and only child, Sally, was then twenty years old.
Buck Sinkler, her cousin of about her age, liv-
ing mile further on the west side OF Dukes
borough. had always loved her the best in the
world. But, somehow, Long Tom, employing
his accustomed energy, prevailed and, the
second wife's parents having died shortly after
the marriage, the two plantations were united
The conversation recited in the foregoing
chapter must serve for a brief history of this
ill-assorted marriage. The law in Georgia then,
as in most States of the Union, in imitation Of
the common law of England, gave to the hus-
band all his wifes estate that he could reduce to
his possession in his e-time, and even made
him administrator without liability to render
account; and, therefore, heir of all the estate in
which, when dying, she had an interest, vested
or contingent. Such rights and powers, in such
a man as Tom Towns, often led to unhappy con-
sequences, especially where the disparity of age
in the husband and wife was great, and in this
case, and the husband prone to suspicion and
even to jealousy. Matters now seemed to have
eliminated. Broken in health at last by age,
by exposure in all sorts of weather, by long
yielding to all stormy and evil passions, Tom
Towns had gradually fallen under the control of
Ryal, his elder son, who now dwelt at the house
where he had lived prior to his second marriage.
On the day following that on which the last
interview was held with his wife and Wiley, he
and Ryal went on horseback to the county seat.
Their way lay for half mile toward Dukesbor-
ough and then diverged southeastward to the
highway leading from the latter to the former
village On the same day Wiley Towns went to
Dukesborough. His taking his gun along was
not extraordinary, as such an action was fire.
quent among country youth in those times when
game OF several sorts was abundant
But Wiley was not himself that day. He
came early under the influence of liquor for the
first time in his life. Then he talked freely and
treatment of his mother. He blamed and even
cursed himself for having submitted to it so
long For such as that man had many time
died. In this case, however, Wiley argued that
it was himself that ought to die if any body, be-
cause he had submitted so long to hear his
mother abused ard-yes gentlemen, slandered-
slandered! by Godamighty. Gentlemen-you all
don't know-slandered !"
1t was late in the evening before he could be
induced to leave. Finally old Mr. Leadbetter
got him upon his horse, and he went Keeling
away, holding to the name, his gun swung by
leathern strap dangling at his side
Bang! bang
Two shots. with short interval between.
The sounds came up from the bottom 500 yards
north of Little Joe Willis's and half mile east
of Tom Townss How they did reverberate in
the still evening. They heard them distinctly
at old Mr.. Jonikin's mile further south, where
Mrs. Willis was on visit. Mrs Towns already
anxious about Wiley's prolonged Absence es-
pecally in his state of mind. was startled put
up her sewing, and walked to the gate. Two
horses came up saddled, brdled, but riderless,
galloping They were her husbands and Ryal's.
A few minutes afterwards, as she was walking
rapidly down the road, she met Joe driving
slowly his wagon, and Ryal leading Wiley's
horse. In the wagon was the dead body of Tom
Towns.
MY God!" she exclaimed, what is this.
Ryalp
''Where's Wiley?"
s'Wiley? He's down in the bottom or 'twixt
here and there"
She looked for moment upon her husbands
body with horror, and then rushed on down the
road.
''You see how it is Joe" said Ryal.
"Jes SO, Ryal," said Joe.
They turned into the yard and drove to the
house door. Soon Mrs. Towns came UP. leading
her son, whose swollen face and blood-shot eyes
were piteous and terrible to see.
II hardly think it was done O. purpose Joen
xr,hn how hid to1-o hod
carried it into the house and returned to the
gate. II can't hardly believe it was done O pur-
pose"
Joe Willis was much confused as we'll as hor-
rifed.
II hope not Ryal Leastways, should wish
i'm fact should both wish and hope"
''You better 60 for Mr.. Jonikin, Joe, hadn't
you7"
II think So" answered Joe, eagerly, and
started off.
"Joe" said Ryal, OBTAINING him for moment
''See here, Joe. It's not exactly the time to be
talkin' about business; but want to tell you,
Joe, that pa told me- no longer'n Yesterday that
hedidn't hardly think that he treated you exactly
tended to let you have it reasonable terms
But he told me that if he died, and, Joe, pa
seemed to have a suspicion that he wasn't going,
somehow, to live long. You mind what I'm
sayin', joel"
''Co'se do, Ryal."
Eyes, he seem to spicion that too many was
agin him for him to live long, so he told me, Joe
that if he should die-he was very keerful to say
if-he wanted me to let you have the heater on
reasonable terms, and / made up my mind to let
you have it--well, for little or nothin' Joe. 1t
amt exactly the time to be talkin' about bust
ness, Joe; but yit, KNOWN how you'd been wor-
ried and put to trouble about that heater, l
thought I'd let you know what passed about it,
and what done already made up my mind I'd
do You mind JoeY'
YES, Ryal; thanky, thanky." said Joe, NOV
ing off. Then he muttered to himself:
'Dammdest cas- l ever see or heerd Of"
CHAPTER III.
They buried the old man behind the garden
The funeral service was short and constrained
There was agitation in the public mind, but it
silent What sympathy was expressed was
mostly for the widow, and next strange as it
seemed for Wiley, whose heart seemed broken
by remorse. Ryal was pale and fearless He
gave minute direc tons about the burial. When
the grave was filled, he took spade from by