The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-02
Len sprane to his feet but Dockery.4

Be quiet" he whispered. They have merely come to tell the old man what has happened and they won't say any thing as long as we are here. They are pretty good fellows and will give us a chance to get away"
 When the men entered the room with decorum which made Len shudder, and which called forth an expression of sur prise from old man Gansett the editor attempted to smile but the result was so barren that Lens heart sank, if possible, deeper than ever. The visitors sat down and each one, unable to conceal the de- pression which he felt, gazed into the fire.
 Bob Gansett-" Boys, you don't seem in yo' usual sperits, to-day" Asa More shifting uneasily in his chair)"I aint hearn no complaint"
 Andy Tillotson-(clasping his hands back of his head and stretching out his legs)"I don't know how it is with the rest but ain't feelin' so powerful brash."
 Bob Gansett-"I don't know how you feel but you look like you'd jes' come from fun'al. Didn't see nothin' O Mrs. Haney ridin' O the bay nag, reckon ?"
 Malone-"l ain't seed her in some time, an morn that, don't want ter sec her soon."
 More" Rufe, ain't yer got no sense Kain't yer keep yer mouth shet~
 Malone-(frownlng) "I've got right ter talk, l reckon"
 Tillotson-"Yas, when yer talk light"
 Bob Gansett.-" Come now gentlemen, what is the matterI You talk like every thing had gone to rack an ruin. Where'd you leave Haney9 I'll bet you was all carousin' together when he should 'uv been goin' after his wife. Set down, Len, an you too, Dockery. Dog it, the old Nick pears to to have tuck possession O you all. was jus' sayin' a while ago that Haney would ketch it one O these days. reckon you all recall the day at Brannon's log rollin you recolleck, don't you Asa? ?"
 More" The time when he punched Ali Settle with ham pike an then lowed he'd shoot him 2 Oh, yas, re- colleck it, an if Settle hadnter lacked sand, Haney would got it that day."
 Bob Gansett-" He couldn't chunk everybody round that way. He'll meet his match yit. Boys (addressing Len and Dockery) I'll swear l don't know what makes that nigger keep the horses away so long,"
 Malone, More and Tillotson exchanged significant looks. The old man con- tinued: "Len an the editor Tow that they want to take short ride"
 More-(in an undertone but not so low that it escaped Lens ears) "A long ride, l reckon"
 "What did you sayp" Bob Gansett asked, putting one hand behind his car and holding his head to one side.
 More-"I said that it was pleasant weather for long ride. I'd ruther ride now than any other time uv the year. How is it with yerse'f, young man~
 Len (nervousls )--" don't know"
 More" Never rid much, l reckon"
 Malone" It's putty nigh time he was rarnin'." ~q I
 Bob Gansett-" Oh. he can ride, T reckon. Tillotson, you are the nearest, wush you'd see who's that at the door,"
 Tillotson opened the door. Mort Haney stepped into the room.
 "Great God P Len exclaimed, spring. ing to his feet.
 Then there arose mighty roar of laughter. Old man Gansett took hold of the mantle piece and laughed until the tears gushed from his eyes. For a time Len was speeches., but when he saw Dockery jerking like sainted negro in trance, it dawned upon him that he was inc vfCUlm or )oKe.
 "All right, gentlemen" said Len, ''you may laugh as much as you are mind.to but rest assured that l am the happiest one of the party. MT. Haney," he added, shaking hands with the man who would ketch it one O these days" "I am de- lighted to see you enjoying such excel lent health"
 "No gladder'n am," Haney refbined. " A 6ghter-w'y, young feller, never fit nothin' in my iife-never hurt nobody, CT haw, haw, haw l"
 Every one laughed. Old Bob wiped his eyes and said: "Ah, Lenqubees, I thought l heard chicken squawl. MyI son. don't trv to tanner with vour prand-