New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18

am SICK. There Is filth in their thoughts. Good
Heavens have cried my eyes out trying to think
how could save themr
Mrs. Aver getting excited She from her
chair and began walking up and down the room.
want 10 save themr she exclaimed. =" They arc
all ready TO be wicked now What do you think we
should be II we had in the blood Of generations of
such depraved ancestors The mother OF
these twins has had husband. but a succession
OF men have occupied her cabin with her. An elder
sister is abandoned in Ashevlle. and some
timcs she makes a visit TO tho hut on the mountain
here. These children know all about their mother
and their sister, and they are not shocked by tho
knowledge. Have you any idea what these mountain
people are7 hadn't untll I here to live. OF
course + had read about them. Does Miss Murfrec
know Are those people over the Tennessee side
different from the and women hero? She has a
glamor mist from her much-descrbed hills and val
leys that obscures clear sight. such charac-
tiers. / see vile, low, centious, sly people, aud they
are sIngularly devoid Of any capaby 10 understand
anything different from themselves. OF course that
is natural There isn't person on these mountains
that does not think took the twins to nave then
hoe corn and potatoes for us. When was explaining
10 our next neighbour he leered and wnked, and said
he thought we had done good thing, for tho gals
coud hoe now as we'll a Niger did not say any
more ! was disguised. Those children affect me
in the strongest way I have plying affection FOR
them that wrings my heart. Sometimes think they
love mo a little. but am not sure. They seem 70
want to be helpful they will work half day ike
small slaves but their way OF working is Kind Oh
way suitable to savagcs, and they are not quick 10
learn most things. They arc quick to learn evil
though not bold wIckedncss that can be forgiven.
but cunning permeating low-down kind of evil. that
makes me despair
Mrs Aver paused moment From further up the
hill came the sound of shreks Of children and the OK
cited barking Of dogs.
"They are coming back from the spring. she SAID
We went to the door which opened to the noi1E'
The twins just coming down from inc oro"
of the mountain They carried largo bucket Oh
water between them the dogs careerfng, and a
little in the rear, standing full up against the due
sky and looking immensely tall was hsuio Ill
a gown, apparently, and sln-bonnet IN anothor
moment Ristus had descended so that tho mountain
was his background. He also bore pail OF "a'cr'
eI suppose l have been too sweeping In my
| remarks said Mrs. Aver. 81 My husband says WOMEN
always But you stay here SIX mohtnS' anu '"on
| tell inc what you Think
Twins and dogs came flying down the rough path,
| the water splashing from their pail Presently one
| of them hit her toe and fell, the other on TOP
| Of her the water over them both. More screams
and scrambling and dogs flying about, IN the MIDST
| ~ which Risus arrived at the scene Of disaster
lie put down his pail and lifted the bpra"ihs
| and dripping twins to their feet Then they all
came on not dishcartened in the least They wouid
have to 20 up one hill and down another tc the
hollow where the spring was In an ola heiu' anu
GET more water But what of that! 1t would put OH inc
| washing of dishes still longer and do not suppose
the twins any more than children q higher grahe'
| like to wash dishes As for me- feel thae can
forgive child a good deal Of Sinking II IT De zone
| 70 delay or to get rid of this kind Of work TO
| member my childhood
| The twins precipitated themselves toward mrs.
| Aver They always had the effect OF hurhhB vi
| nrecipItating themselves, instead OF walking
| They had been taught to call their friend Aunt
Nary and thoy now began babel OF explanations
and apologies concerning the accident we had Just
witnessed mingled with offers TO go to the spring
and fill tho pail again. They said their CLONES
| would dry the way.
Meanwhile Ristus had put his bucket on inc grouhu
| and had seated himself the chopping-oioch 10"
| rods away He was evidently warm, Tor ne reino'eu
| his sun-bonnot and held it in his hand
| Amabel and lost time in hurrying out I'd sec
| Ristus uncovered a,,,
| Had not some one told us that he had an loea
| bead,1 But We we're far from being prepared Ior
| what VIC saw and It seemed Impossible that 'n's
| face and head could belong to a rough fellow VIM
| said "naws for no and who slouched ana was