Wichita eagle., 1888-08-04

curious combination He is ignorant. but
courteous, unlearned, but sharp; poverty
poor. but open handed: suspicious and
cunning, yet scorning any unfair advan-
tage- he is shiftless. but virtuous; most
always a sinner. as the word goes vet
holding to some of the Commandments
with grip more tenacious than a Chris
tian's | have eaten ais hoe cake and pos
sum. slept before his rude freplace,
walked and hunted with him. studied
him from all sides and yet he is as much
Of an enigma as the day first saw him
One evening. after hard days climb
in the mountains beyond Athens. L came
upon log cabin near the road | said
evening. because everything after ~ is
evening" il the south IL was about
O'Clock in the afternoon. A man sat on a
log at the door smoking and whiting,
three children were playing about, and a
woman sat on the door sill with elbows
On her knees and her face in her hands.
as came near the man looked up and said:
''Howdy. stranger
The woman slowly lifted face the color
Of sundower. gazed at me for half q
minute. and then added:
''HowdyT'
The children sat down on the log in
bashful way. each sucking a finger. and
the father pocketed his knife knocked the
ashes from his pipe and continued
Make yerself right to hum, stranger.
Children, bring the gourd. and you. Jen.
hunt up bite to eat
| explained that all asked was drink
OF water and some information about the
route. but he spoke up with considerable
energy
You must stop with Us tonight.
There's no other place for ten miles whar'
they are fixed TO take you IN.
demurred and he insisted, and
finally sat down beside him. We had
scarcely begun a conversation when the
woman looked up and drawled:
Say, Hi"
What
WHY
cause Robinson's coming"
The man rose up passed the woman,
and next moment came out with rife in
bis hands He stood on the log and looked
down the road, and as | cast my eyes in
that direction I saw 8 man leave the road
and take to a tree.
Yes, that's Robinson" muttered my
host. Stranger. you'd better Squat
Children, lay lowI Jen. look out fur
YOURSELF
sat down OF the ground beside the
log. while the children took cover on the
other side, The woman never moved
Who is Robinson and what does he
WANT finally asked
Lives down on the creek. and wants to
shoot me, was the calm reply
Hes gittin yer range. Hi!' remarked,
rather than exclaimed the woman.
h,,1 la laI
head and the report Of RobinsOn's rifle
came to our ears
He couldn't hit barn at the end Of
his gum" nuttered HI, who stood with
rife ready TO raise to his face.
There was long silence. and then he
stepped down and said
Guess we'd better go In. stranger.
RObinsons an emery skunk, and is prob
ably creepin up on Us for a clusser shot
Jist don't mind Us, but make yerself to
hum"
The door had not been shut to after US
as we entered the cabin when a bullet
struck il This aroused the spirit Of the
woman. and she exclaimed:
There. Hi Skivens. didn't l allus say
Robinson was g cowardY'
Yes, you allus did"
And you hev got TO wipe him out?"
Yes. hev faint no use putin up
with him no noah.
Have you and Robinson been at this
thing very longs' asked. as sat down
Bout three years.
Its what they call a feud. is it7'
That's the name. | guess. I'd have
had him twice if my gun hadn't missed
fire, and he's hit me once.
Only tride, though" added the
woman. as If l would regard the wound
as a stain upon his honor.
I'D like to see the man as could kin
popi" exclaimed the Oldest child, girl
Of 10.
Go long. Nancy. and take that with
you said the mother, as she bestowed q
sound cuff on the ear
Robinson now fired bullet through
the only front window and uttered . war
whoop.
Coin to stand it," queried the woman
as she looked over to her husband
In course not. Stranger. I'm sorry
fer this mass That emery Robinson has
took advantage OF your bein' here to raise
= tarze- Don't blame il on to me,
/ excused him and asked him for the
origin of the feud He could not give a
clear reason and after ten minutes argu-
1ent he oonseated to lei ME go out and
talk with Robinson opened the door,
waved the only white cloth the woman
could find In the house. and soon after /
went out. Robinson was behind a tree
scroSs the road.
''Eowdy, stranger he queried as /
came up. Has HI surrenderedY'
When told him that had come to act .
Rs peaceulsker he laughed the idea to
scorn-