The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-18

I tTuE1TOl, DOT
| or SO prosperous as Others, Pink Edwards and
| Bill Sanders, she loved him. The heart or
woman is past finding out. Bet Crow might
/ have had pick and choice among the heart OF the
settlement, and instead OF favorlng the suit OF
| one of her smart industrious lovers she chose
! Tom Fannin the poorest, least fortunate young
| man in the county. He had farm, but it did
not prosper, and his stock were neglected and
/ shabby.
Hes shiftlessr said his neighbors, and Bet
knew it to be true, though too loyal even to ac-
| knowledge it to anyone but herself
| The shadows were growing long across tne
| yard, and the soft lowing of the cows vending
| their way home could be heard, when step
sounded in the entry, and Tom Fannin himself
i walked into the room where Bet sat weaving
| mis- Crow said jest walk right in, he said,
stopping near the door, holding his hat awkward
! ~ in his hands.
''Tu be shure, Tom" said the girl, feeling his
| new embarrassment acutely and longing to put
| him at his ease, and make him understand that
story would not change her regard. "Jes take er
/ cheer. :"
up near the bench, laid his hat on the floor, and
| then for the first time looked straightiy and
| frankly at her. His eyes were clear and honest
| if not handsome Bet felt MS steady look and
/ flushed, and the hand holding the shuttle Lrem-
| bled slightly
"You'uns have hearnr he said at last with a
/ deep, detected sigh.
.'Yes, suddenly facing him and looked intohis
eyes They did not waver, though his SUE burnt
/ face flushed.
| "Iit wus in my pocket Bet but if hits the
/ las word I'm ever ter say don't know how hit
| got thar" he said, solemny
II know'd you'uns didn't do hit" she said with
| generous faith. bill Sanders mus be at the
bottom O. hit hisself.'
| II don't know I don't know nothin erbout
! the matter atal I can't seem ter understan' why
| ennybody'd wanter Spite my character. I've
/ been shiftless an lazy, III low that" humbly,
4 tfaOi T 1onit know vou'1nS 0nphfar a
| with me, but l never TUX nothn that didn't
berlong ter NE, an never lifted or finger to harm
a human creetur.D
His voice shook slightly, and he leaned his
head upon the weaving bench, his face hidden in
| a fold Of Bets dress.
| She trembed in passion of tender sympathy,
| Tears filed her eyes, ran down her face, but she
| would not let single sob pass her quivering
/ lips She laid her hand softly on his ruddy hair
and when she could speak without crying said
| 'Hitl never make emmy difference with me.
| don't keer what they say"
| But the whole world IL be turnn agin me
| now, Bet. I've come to tell youurs / won't
| think hard o yer fer takin' back yer promises "
he said with an effort.
Promises air promises. an never make EN-
| 'thout wantin' ter keep 'em," she said steadily
lie raised his head, he saw the tears on her
face, the trembling of her lips, and, starting up,
| threw one arm around her. and pressed her head
| against him.
"God Almighty bless yer Bet, honey, for keer-
| in fer sech poor creetur as l, when you uns
| mought git the best If / don't make somethin'
O. myself now after this, I'll never ak yersto keep
| yer word, /" he whispered, passionatelv pressing
| his rough cheek against her smooth, warm one.
For q moment the girl did not move, then she
/ gently removed his arm and sitting upright
| began to look confusedly for her shuttle, flush
| ing, paling, not daring to meet her lovers eyes.
.Cant nothin' be done to clear up the matterF'
| she said finally in low tone.
| Fannn shook his head sadly.
| - fhar NJ hctp a
provin' l didn't put hit thar"
That was true, and gossip was rife throughout
| the settlement, and the members of Cool Spring
| church met in solemn conclaye to deaf with
| the erring young man, who persisted in denying
| his guilt. thereby adding the sin of lie to the
| sin of stealing He lost his situation on the rail
| road, he lost his friends, and seemed to sink to
| the lowest ebb Of fortune. But his trials put a
| new spirit into him. else called forth great
1 deal of latent strength, for he met the sights of
his associates and neighbors with quiet dignity
and went to work enerEstically on hisfarm.
II lowed you'uns 'ud be huntin'a new
home" said one of his neighbors to him, cycling
| him curiouslv.
NO. I'm goin' ter stay right t'hum, he re-
/ piled doggedy
! He's err turrible sinner said the gossips, on
| learning his determination to remain at his old
| home.
/ Those long summer days were wretched ones
| to Bet Crow. She devised thousand plans for
| clearing her lover, but they all came to naught.
| She firmly believed Bill Sanders had caused the
| trouble, though why or how she could not deter
| mine. He had been one of her most ardent
/ admirers, and betrayed much anger as dis
| appointment when she refused to keep
| cumpny" with him, but she did not connect
| that with Toms disgrace After that one after
| noon visit her lover did not come again to see
| her, and if they met accidentally at church or
| elsewhere they only exchanged the brefest and
/ quietest greeting, but eyes may speak as well as
! lips, and there were glances eloquent and sweet
/ to both.
| Bet did not parade her feelings, and people said
| she had come to her senses at last, and had sent
| "that trifn Tom Fannin adrift."
| One day Bill Sanders stepped boldly up and
| asked permission to walk home from meeting
| with her. She CURLY refused.
What's the matter, Betl It's oniest to treat
me in sech er way 'thout or cause" he said in
| wounded tones.
You 'uns know can't be wantin' emmy O
yer comply" she said, and before the righteous
| anger of her eyes he shrank back abasiled.
The summer passed slowly, dewy cawns Ian
| guild, sunlit Moons, and dusky evenings. The
| corn rpened and the cotton fields promised e
| fair yield. Tom Fannin worked steadily early
| and late as though finding in constant occupa-
| ton panacea for his troubles.
/ He'll soon git tired o that: min what say
said one prophet IAN go ter idlin' round agin.'
| But he did not, growing thin and Drawn with
/ constant toll But the change had come too late
/ The charge of theft could neither be forgiven
| nor forgotten in that community.
| Farmer Crow carefully refrained from men,
| tioning Tom Fannins name to his daughter
| since the morning he sat on the fence and talked
with Mr. Jim Edwards. But his shrewd, kindly
eyes observed the young mans demeanor with
approval
Hes got more grit than we 'uns calkerlated
! on he unused.
| At last he preached the subject to Bet
Hits pity Tom Fannin split his fortune
a takin' that money, he's doin' so mighty well
now.n
Bet looked reproachfully az him. "How do
| you uns know he took hit. pop"
'How do weuns know he didn't, Bet? Honey,
| don't be decelvin' yerself I'm mighty proud
| you 'uns have dropped his cump'ny."
| II haint dropped hit pop. Weuns are jest
| waitin'."
| He sighed.
"You'uns air powfully sot in yer ways, Bet,
1 for or nunc craatur