The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-16
CHAPTER II

CHAPTER II.
 Raney, followed by little boy, en- tered the room. He was a quiet looking man, with face of uneducated intelli- gence. He bowed to the company and sat down. His little boy stood beside him
 " Peers like there's gon' to be a change in the weather" said Raney.
 Goostree stretched out his legs, clasped his hands back of his head, slowly turned to Raney, and replied: wouldn't be so powerful much s'prised if thar wuz. Thar has been ca pers enough cut lately to make it pretty d-d cold day fur somebody fore long" Somethin' goin' wrong, Goostreer Raney asked
 "Yes. somethin' is goin' wrong-mortal wrong, too, ken tell you"
 Whu,s the matter2"
 "Well, all the boys have got pretty good idee of whut's the matter, an they ain't passel of men to shy at a mares nest, nuther. Ain't that about the way you figure it out, boys? Ain't that pretty nigh you're carclation, kinch 2"
 don't know that you're talkin' to me in particular" Kinchloe replied, but l don't hesitate in sayin' that it ciphers out in about that shape"
 don't understand you, gentlemen" said Raney, with an expression of sur prise. Make your meanin plain open an shet an then Pm with you" Goostree unclasped his hands from the back of his head, drew up his long legs, looked at Rancy during several moments of meditation, and said: "As you say, the plain open an sh ct is the only way to deal with a subjeck, an am glad to hear you say it fur am open an shet man myself. Now le, me ask you few questions: Why did you quit work ?"
 "'Cause I've been thinkin' about leavin' the neighborhood."
 "What fur p
 "Well, don't know that it's anybodys bushes but mine, but" "Plain open an' shet, recollick," kinch- Joe suggested. "Jes' give me time, if you please. don't know that it's anybodys business, but I'll tell you I'm tired chopin tim Der that don't belong to me I'm tired layin' myself liable uv goin' to prison Pm tired uv lookin' at my boy ap' gal an Fern is woman now-an' thinkin' that the'r daddy mout be led away an they left to starve. Them's the reasons want to go way from here"
 "What air you goin' to do after you git awayT Goostree asked.
 "l aint settled that in my mind yit, but Tow ;o york at somethin' that's honest"
 The company of trough customers |" roared with laughter. Old Murray scratched his chin, and Kinchloe struck a box with his hat.
 "Somethin' that's honest" Coostree repeated, "why dog your ugly cats you kaint do nothin' that's honest"
 "Well, Pm goin' to try it anyhow"
 "Yes, an you'd look on it as bein' mighty honest if you was to give us fellers away, wouldn't your
 "I ain't thinkin' about givin' nobody away"
 "That's what Judas said jist fore he sold ont fur thirty dollars"
 "Thirty pieces of silver," suggested Kinchlee.
 "D-n it ain't dollar a piece of sil- yer? You jist hold your jaw awhile, Kinch, or hanged if don't talk to you in perticuler." He again addressed Raney; @ Yes, that's exactly what Judas done, an let me ten you that we don't want none uv that sort nv business in ourn, an we ain't goin' to have it, nuther. have vested all my capital right here an the man what tries to break up my business will find out his mistake only when it's too late"
 "Who the devil is tryin' to break you up in business~ Raney exclaimed.
 "It looks mighty like you air."
 "I don't see how you make that out"
 "No, reckin not. No man ken see when he shets his eyes. What did you go down the river for luther day"
 @Went down to see ef could find an openin' somewhat"
 "Yes, SO did a fish" said Kinchloe.
 Hold your jaw, will you ?" Goosetree angrily exclaimed. "You air wuss than a ole maid at a house raisin'. Wanted to find an openin', eh p he added. turn ing to Raney. "Did you find one?"
 .No, kaint say that did find one in satisfaction"
 @FoonG somethin' else, though, didn't your