The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-02-16

sought me to consult q vital interest which lay 50
close to me, but which, by a little negligence ON
my part, might pass forever beyond my reach. AT
school had won distinction as debater and sud-
denly encouraged by the recollection of this
began to plead my cause, but they trOd upon my
argument. Finally, in tone OF voice that left no
doubt as to my sincerity, | told them that If
mountains were selling at two dollars apiece,
could not buy mole hill. A white dust instantly
arose on the pike" the town lot "boomers' were
stalking toward home.
There is nothing more beautiful than a Ken
lucky day, when spring is warmed into bushing
loneliness by the approach of summer The turn
pike, smooth and white, stretched out in = wSver-
ing line as far rs could On each side of the
road there lay broad farming lands, with here and
there a rugged knob, sort of hiccough, it seemed
to me. | had gone but short distance when
saw a tall, lank fellow skulking along, weaving
from one side of the road to the other. | dis
covered that he was kicking an oyster can. Once
the can, upon receiving an ill-directed and unin-
tentonally vigorous kick, flew oven a rail fence
and startled lark from her dewy bath. The fell
low stopped, cast calculating glance at the fence
hesitated moment longer aud then climbed over
lie took up the can, climbed back, carefully
placed it on the turnpike, looked ahead "a though
making sort of calculation and then gave the can
resounding kick. By this time had oyertaken
him.
Good morning. said |.
lie turned with start though had rudely
broken his meditation. Ills face bespoke a nature
of Incidence and his eyes looked the drowsy pic
ture of laZiness. lie WAS sh0uldered his legs
disproportionately long and his feet were of
unusual size. I noticed him thus closely, for in him
recognized type of a shifless and irresponsible
class of natives.
"Mornin'" he answered, and then looked toward
the can though unable to decide whether to con-
tinue his association with il or to cultivate my
acquaintance but his mental struggle brief
for, turning to me, he remarked:
OFF you air goin' my way I'll jine you"
"All right; come on"
mighty putty weather." he said as he cast a
farewell glance at the
"Yes, beautiful"
81 oughter be plowin', right now" he added
with tone of anxiety in his voice. 81 pitched out
to town yistidy airter tellin' my wife that
wouldn't be gone long, but Pm Jest gittin back.
live little this side NV Colonel Osbury's.
II am going to his house." answered.
"Sho nuf? Wall, then you can do me mighty
big favor-you ken drap in at my house-won't
take q mint"
"What for?" asked.
lie took off his white cotton hat, bumped his
shoulders, reached down between his long neck and
shirt collar, pulled out string and then said
ITO tell my wife that | couldn't git away frum
town no sooner"
"But don't know that anything kept you in
town."
"You ken tend like you do, KANT you? Wife
she Amt in good health, an don't want her to
think would stay away on my own acco'd. Help
me out, Mr.-what mout your name be3 l told
him. "Wall, then, help me out, Mr.. Burwood, an
mebby kin help you git outen q scrape sometime
Dinged eff oughtenter be plowin right now. Been
a-breakin' up some terbacker land whar clover's
been fur year two an dinged ef it don't smell
as sweet as pie when you turn il up to the sum-
I'll tell you sumpn eff you won't say nothin' about
it. Promise?"
eyes"
He closer to me and in hoarse whisper,
said:
al was chuck up last night. Got bottle from
Teller an whooped it up with the ole major that
runs the hotel. Lost my recollection summers an
didn't find it till about daylight this mornin'. l
don't feel so bad though. When q feller has hill off
from Ticker fur good while an then gifts at it, wy