The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-29

60 back?'
ave are only twenty minutes away
from home not more"
Yes, yes, every one who gets lost In
these woods imagines that he is only
twenty minutes away from home. ! don't
like these twisted trees. What horrid
creatures may be among the rootsp'
She shiyered, and, bending forward OF
listen, said: stop, do you hear? Don't
you hear that hollow sound? Elush-listen,
listen-it is hollow, hollowl At this hour,
in the forest, what can it be2 The sun is
setting; let MS 20 back"
l listened and heard hollow sound, the
cause of which knew at once. should
have told her that cause at once; but il was
10 pleasant to see her there near me, seri-
GUS, eagerly listening, with half-parted
lips, her eyes questioning mine; was no
happy to feel her tremble on my breast,
seeking her refuge in me, that like an ego
fist, J soberly replied:
Eyes, really it is strangel l hear hollow
sounds. Let us go and see; 1t cannot be
far away"
Go! Are You crazy, George, my dear"
She threw her arms around me, and lift
ing herself to my ear:
II am afraid" she whispered. "Let us
go back, please let us 20 back"
"liow frightened you arel Don't you
recognize the sound Of the wood-splitter's
| mallet2'
DO you think that you can soothe me
with your wood splitters? What do they
split, these splittersY"
"They arc splitting logs of wood to
mako barrel slaves. That is the mystery"
You are very sure"
" Yes, my dear"
And they are good men, these wood
splittcrs "
These are certainly; know them very
well Come and see them; they are not
more than three minutes from here"
| She decided 10 follow me, though not
without tagging behind little. Some
minutes later we found ourselves in Il
most picturesque place, facing two or three
cabins as primitive us the Indian hut one
reads about in CoopeTs novels. Imagine
n heap OF logs covered with moss, somber
and wet in the dark forest, and surmounted
by q white chimney from which rose a
light column Of blue smoke, TO lose itself
IN the green vault above. Around this
cncampment were piles OF logs, mountains
OF chips pyramids Of yellow boards, and,
on cord stretched from one tree 10
another, some clothes hung out TO dry.
The ground was beaten down around
these hutS, and before small low door
some dozen Of fowls were picking up the
grain thrown them by an old woman.
Good evening"" said the old woman,
seeing us approach. won't YOU come
in and warm yourselves bit? 1t i
fresh tonight"
Louise looked at Il all as one looks nj q
successful painting. We entered. The
interior was worthy OF tho exterior. In
the middle Of an irregular cabin. full Of
corners and reccsscs, bright fro wis
burning on the ground between four ban
Of iron, which kept the firebrands in place
and marked the hearth. The flames rose
high; the roof was open in the middle,
like the iihpluvium Of Roman house,
and beyond the opening, through q wide,
gaping chimney through which the light
came down and the smoke rose, one could
see the branches Of the trees and the gray
sky. In the ashes was pot where some.
thing was boiling; and in tho corners o.
the cabin, surrounded by materials
debris and all sorts OF tools, were tire,
men lone OF them little old man, will
cheeks scanned and red like brick, who
struck in turn with their tools. The,
were father, son and son-in-law; and from
one years end 10 the other. summer anC
winter, In this cabin where we were, anC
which served them for n workshop, the,
split and respit the oak logs
About once a week the son went 20 In,
village for provisions, and that was all
On Sundays the entire family played a
bowling under the shade ri the great trees
As We entered, they stopped their work
and each Of them, after having bid "a
good-day, laid down the huge, brigh
Ratchet with which he was armed,
irightful instrument, like the knife Of
guillotine furnished with handle, heay,
blade, sharp and large, well made for Ia,
execution OF oaks but OF sinister aspect
Louise seated herself near me on q It'll
bench.
"wc are interfering with your work,
said to the old man.
"Thank you, no sir; we were jus, goinl
10 eat our supper"
The two young men laid down thei
blades aud came toward largo table
made in a most primitive way of planl
and four roughly hcwn feet. While the,
! were putting on the table the small, thick
blue plates, the old woman had occupie,
herself In getting n large frying pan an,
throwing ON the fire an armiul Of sticks
In that scene. 20 rough aud rude, hos
/, fine and delicate louise appeared 10 me
/, 40 dainty with her long gants dc Suede
her white skirts Just lifted a tribe, and he
/ little boots. With her two hands out
! stretched she shielded herself from In
heat OF the fire, and while ] chntied will
the slayc.makcrs, she watched, from a.
corner oil her eyes. the butter which wa
: beginning 10 sputtcr In tho iryingp pan
Suddenly she rose, and, taking the handl
, Of the frying pan from the hands Of Ia
!. old woman, let me help you with you
omelot, viii you2" she said.
Tho good wife smiled and gave Il up 4
) her, and Louise found herself alone, stand
ing In the attentive attitude Of a iishcrmai
; holding his rod az the moment when III
: bobbing cork warns him ofa nibblc. tn
fire. frightened bit; she fixed her eye
= upon the melting butter, with outstrctohe,
: arms, biting her lips IN her effort
at Is a triilc heavy for madame" sal
g the old woman. 81 will wager that tai
J. Ia the first time you ever made an omolc
in the cabin Of a wood-cuitcr is II not IN
] lady2'
c Louise nodded yes without turning lac
o head.
"Ille oggsl the oggsl" she cried sudden
, ~, and with such AN anxious air that "
a all bunt out laughing.
"Ihc cggsl tho butter Ia bubbling NJ
Quick, or will not be responsible for III
!, result" The old woman hurried 10 brca
the eggs
o "And the horbsl" cried the old man.
= "And the bacon and tho salt" said IN