The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-05-23
DRIV FROM HOME.

| was resting on log at turn In the
road which RAJ along the Yadkin river,
with half mile of tho stream in full
sight, when caught sight Of canoe COM
ing down. It appeared to have broken
adrift, and as the current set 1t directly
toward tho lnarshy spot in front of me I
waited and watched with some interest.
The craft finally drove into the reeds
and came to q standstill, and q minute
later u mans head slowly appeared to
view. It was the head of q real live No
tive-long haired, sallow faced, high
cheek bones, unkempt whiskers and yell
low teeth. The head regarded me with
| surprise for time, and then body
came into view. Its long arms, dun COL
ored garments, talon like finger nails,
stoop shoulders and long neck proved
the presence of q native cracker" He
gazed and gazed, and as he did not
seem inclined to be the first to break the
silence finally said:
Hello! What are you doing there?''
Stranger, I've bin driv from hum!'
he replied, in voice so full of sorrow
that I could almost see burying ground
behind him.
He used piece of board to paddle the
craft ashore. A closer inspection re-
vealed that he was the essence of sorrow
and dirt boiled down and caked hard.
He was six feet tall, loose jointed, lanky
and evidently rs lazy as he was long.
Had been sure that he was 900 years
old would have bet one dollar to shil-
ling that he had not combed his hair or
washed his face for 900 years. He held
out paw like . washboard, and greeted
me with:
STRANGER, eh! Well, old Bill Smith
bids ye welcome. Las' mite he had a
hum to take ye to, and q cheer to cot
out fur ye, and some pone and bakon to
offer ye, but this mornin' he kin only
shake ye by the hand. All is gone-all
is gone"
HAS some calamity happeneda"
asked.
''Some calamity .4as. I've been driv
from hum, stranger. I hain't got no
place to lay my head no more, 'cept in
that thar leaky canoe"
''Thats bad. Who did it?''
''Selutha, sah-and nobody else-driv
me right away from tho hum in which I
was born
"And who's Selutha3''
my wife-the woman who vowed to
love and cherish and support me. Mar
ried her more'n seventeen years ago, and
we've got five children, and last mite she
driv me from hum!''
You had fuss, suppose?'
'Furse? Fursc? No, we had no fursc.
She jist lit down on me and pulled hair
and clawcd, and said she'd stood it long
enough. She driv mo out in the cold
world, and went to bed in the canoe
cast her adrift and yere am, stranger.
I'm wuss nor IN orfun. Won't you 20
back hum with me and argify to the ole
woman?''
"How far is it:''
"Six miles, and I'll take you up in the
canoe. Do it for me, stranger. Don't
stand by and see q husband and father
driv from his hum"
We got into the canoe, and ho used the
paddle in a vigorous manner. l sized
him up as lazy, good natured native,
and it wasn't long before he ''gave him
self away"
"Ar' ye lawyer he asked as we
drove along up the river.
Something Of one"
''Good! was in hopes you was. You
can argify the ole woman in ten min
utes."
What made the fuss?'
"Jist notion o. hern. I hain't well
and can't work, and she's got q notion
orter. Jist tell her that I look like q
man who won't live a year. Tell her
that hard work would break me down
in week, Tell her you never felt 70
sorry fer any one in yer hull life"
We voyaged along for awhile in ST.
lencc. and then noticed that the man
was weeping. Ho wiped the tears away
and asked:
Stranger, was ye ever driv from |
humT'
Never"
"Then ye don't know how it breaks a |
Teller down. In argifying with Selutha |
Just nenshun that l wept, won't We?
She's heavy on tears"
We landed at the bank below Smiths |
cabin about moor. He decided to 70
main in the canoe until l should 20 up
and ''argify." cut across u field to
the road and approached the house from
the front. At the door was q broken
gun and three or four steel traps, which
had been pounded out Of shape. also
saw splintered powder horn and an old
fur cap, and there was q faint smell Of
whisky from some broken glass. II
found Mn. Smith to be 4 nervous little
woman Of 40, and the five children were
hike pair Of stairs In height. I WA