Evening star., 1886-07-17
BET GROW.
WRirrES FOR THE EVENING STAR BY MAT
GRIM. AUTHOR OF STORIES IN
THE CENTURY" ETC.
a DIALECT STORY OF GEORGIA LIFE.
ICOpvright. 1SS6.l

felt that ne could afford 10 sit on the fence and
engage IA the pleasing recreation of whiting.
But 1t was not ON this particular occasion en-
Joyed a. heartily usual Ii seemed to be a
mere mechanical occupation to- aid him iii
sowing "A knOtty problem He was small,
WITy, mild-eyed man, with deeply tanned
complexion ant a good d-humOred expression.
He was prosperous farmer and highly re-
sPectcd in the settlement, where he had a good
reputation Tor fair, honest dealing and clear
judgment, though often permitting his love OF
money 10 overrule the rigid laws OF justice.
'' Hit amt in bein' hard ON emmy cree
tur, lac would say mildly. " We'uns amt all
been tried eriike, an thar mought be extin-
guishin circumstances ter jedge by If wei uns
could sec EN-"
But this morning his brows were drawn to-
gether in PerPlexed frOwn aud he stared at
the slowly sharpening splinter with abstractcd
eyes The steady, even tail OF hoOfs upon the
hard dry road TOused him from his reflection.
and gianclns up ne saw Jim Edwards, his
neighbOr ana cTOny- approaching ON his old
gray mare. Mr. Jesse Crow hailed him with
hearty delight.
won you uns light an come in?'' he asked
''No. reckon not this mornin Nancy's in er
pow iuI hurry for some truck, but don't know
as min Jiniu YOU un> thar little while"
He dismounted, threw the bride over a low
projecting limb OF the great chestnut tree stand
Ing near the gate, and in few minutes sat on
the fence 10y the side of his friend.
~ Ou uns have hesirn erbout Tom Fannin a
taking that money from Bill Sanders, down
~har they air "A wOrkin on the new raitTodd?"
he said tumbling for his knife from mere force
OF habit, and settling himself for little gossip.
"les," said Mr.. Crow. seriously. '.au' don Il
min sstyin' thai / never wu> more TUX down"
We'll, thought better q Tom than that my
sell, but yOu'un know what the scripture say
bout Satan dtIUS having work fer idle hands
ter do AN Int pretty well known Tom Fan
INNS Ia iazy as his hide kin hold
"Ies, that So asserted his companion.
Edwards stole glance at him, shifted the to-
bacco around in his mouth and then
How does Bet take hit?' he rather diffi-
deHtIy inquired
That's what's pe>tering me erbout the
matter. Eda rcis, exclaimed Mr.Crow dropping
the last silver from ms whiting and turning
towards his companion Bet lows he dIdn t
Go 1t, she knows IN reason he didn't, an ter
that point She sticks"
But, man alive. the money found in his
pocket HIT Was tiils way, an l hearn hit from
BIZ hisscif. Him an Tom has been II
rOCmln together since Tom TUX an start TO
work down thar. an Bill one mOrnin' put $50
In the top er his trunk with nobody u Seein' hit
but Tom At dinner time hit wuS gone. The
men, black AN white, wG> all fer haVin their
pockets searched, an when they come ter Tom 5
coat :. htng1n on er bush thar WIS the money
stucked down III the little pocket Some 2r the
boys Say he turned mighty white and lowed he
didn't know twas thar, and kept denyin
hit but the pint Is, how did hit come thar
them:
ave tole Bet that time an agin', but every
time she ser, Pap, know he didn't take hit -
" How do you uns know? says l.
" Cause he SeZ 50, as If that kin clar up the
matter: Thar alnt no re;lsOnin' with wimmen
iOih>, Id ards.
That's 80, Jesse. If you -uns ak 'em WHY
they believe sech an seen they'll Toe apt ter say
Jes cause, an that's all the SENSE you uns kin
Hit amt my fault Bets been a keepin'
eoInpny long o Tom Fannin-hi1's er puzziin'
thing ter me now she kin like him kn0wfn' ne
j. lazy an sorIer trfin, but Bets got er head o.
her own, with a sudden touch of pride and
iunblinS along the rail Tor another loose
splinter.
'ohe's er likely gal, if / do say hit ter YOU
uns, Jesse Crow, an I'd "a been mighty glad if
she u "a TUX "a nkln ter Pink. She knows how
IL hit
"her mann haint split her, that's a fact.
said Nr. crow. mOdestly. Thar she comes
now, ne continued, raising his head and glanc-
Ing across the road.
She had been 10 the spring, and walked
brlskiy up the path and across the dusty road
her sun-bUnnet swinging from one hand q pail
vi water poised evenly ON her head. Her black
hair hung IN y thick braid down her back the
sun had tanned her skin To u fine brown tint a
TGdd} glow IN her cheeks and full, firm lips.
Her bright, steady eyes Were dark gray and
when she smiled two rows of even white teeth
Were disclosed 10 view.
"A likely" girl indeed dressed in a neat. clean
cotton gown. its clumsy folds not able to hide
the graceful development of her figure. She
was Jesse crow only child. and he regarded
Aer with a just feeling of pride, and, though II
had now taken u perpleXing turn, Iet secretly
pleased at her disposition and ability to have
her own way. Edwards nodded To her with a
friendly smile.
"MorniI Bet"
''siornin, Mr.. Edards. How's Mis- Edards
anu the chlilun' she inquired in pleasant
soit-toned voice. paHsing al the gate
" Bout as common, Bet"
She looked iEquiringly at him. Mr.. Edwards
cleared his throat.
Vow, Bet, YOU 'uns amt agoin' ter be on
reasonable bout this Fannin scrape, air yer?'
sudden flush passed over her face and she
lifted the brlmining pail from her head and
placed IL on the fence.
Depends on what youuns mean by that
Nr I'd ards, hopin' you'll take offense a
taIkin SD piain.'
II mean you'uns amt agoin' ter hold up fer
s1.LIE .-St hni
Her lips trembled; she looked at her father.
rap KNOWS amt meanin' ter poster
" e, honey, we'uns know that" he said. her
appealing glance melting his heart To tender
hess al once. When had be ever failed to re
spond 10 her joy or sorrowe
Vow. thars Pink, an ,ile JILL and Bill San
Don't be namin' Bill Sanders ter me. Mr..
Eo ards, II yer please" she exclaimed quickly.
But hit amt Iair ter be "A blamIn' him fer
4oih amin lauIt, Betsy, shaking his head
reproNingly-
How Kin help it. Mr.. Ed'ards, when 1 feel
an KNOW thdt IL some way other he's the
cause mt, hecried, with passionate tremor
III ner voice :. Hit amt "a hurtIn' nobody fer
Aie yer HeNe IN Tom, spite % everything, an
help it, '""
she opened the gate, took up the pail of water
anu went Oh into the house, and Il lew minutes
Iater The men heard the steady click clack OF
;ue loom
All day she sat on the high bench WEAVING
steadily stripe vi blue and a stripe of brown
counting the threads carefully, but her heart
lay heavy IN her bosom and her ewes We're.
grave. she had been deeply shocked at the
charge against Tom Fannin. but her faith in
A4s honesty reInalned unshaken. She under
ssoou II faults, his weak knesSes, but they only
aPPea4eu !" her woInaniy tenderness. He was
generous. honest and truthful and If he was not
So s"od-iookIns or SO prosperous Others, Pink
f-d~.lrds ana BlIl Sanders, she loved him The
Ltart Ol WOMAN Is past finding out Bet Crow
might have had pick and choice anon. the
Aesrt Oh the settlement, and instead of filvOrin-
tHe SUIT OF one OI her smart, industrious lovers,
she chose Tom Fannin, the poorest, least fortIl-
nate young man IN the county. lie had "a farm
but IL dld not prosper, and his stock were neg
iected and shabby.
Hes shlftleSs,' said his neighbors and Bet
Knew IL 10 DC true, though too loyal even To
uchno"ledye IL 10 any one but herself.
Inc shadows were growing long across the
yard, and the SOFT lowing OF Che cows vending
their way home could be heard when "A Step
sounded III the entry, and Tom Fannin himself
walked into the room where Bet sat weaving
Nils crow said jest walk right in he said
stopping near the door, holding his hat awk
WaTdIy III his hands.
"lu be shure, IOrn,' said the girl, feeling his
new embarrassment acutely and longing 10 put
t.ul AT his ease and make him understand that
story would change her regard. "Jes take er
Cheer.
she did not stop her work and he drew a
cii.tf up near The bench, laid his hat on the
HIOr. ana then IOr the first time looked
stfss-ghtly and frankly at her. His eyes were
GEAR ana honest II not handsome. Bet felt his
steady look and flushed, and the hand holding
the shuttle trembIed slightly
''l Ou uns have hearn:" he said at last with q
ep. detected sigh.
y e., suddenly facing him and looked into
LIS eyes They did not waver, though his sun.