Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-05-30
CRIPPLE JIM.
BY WILLIAM z. BROWN.

had hardly slept at all, and now he was
fully aroused by hearing his fathers
voice, somewhat hushcd but still heavy,
through the thin board partition.
Il tell you, boys, it's got to be done
tomorrow night" said the voice
.,ThereHl be nobody there but Wash and
his wife and that young preacher.
Wasn't it Wash Magee that sent word to
the revenoo5 ard had our stills broke
up2 Didn't Wash and his boys run
yout son of to Texas, Jack Hardy, ons
c!a,. ..c Of cuttin' Mike Woodsen, which
voc know was all an accident2 Hain't
Wash into every sort Of meanness fust
one way and then t'other? I've lowed
to get even,wth him for a good while,
and say now. the time has come"
After this Jim heart clinking of tin
cups, and he knew the men were drink
ING. He shivered with fear. They
! were desperate men, yet Huse Turley,
their leader, was his ownsfather.
One of the mountain fealds had long
! divided the Magces and the >Turleys. Its
influence had extended until friends and
| relatives had been drawn into it. It had
sacrificed life and ruined. good names il
had made men fugitives, and.women and
children homeless.
At this period Huse;Turley and Wash
| Mapec were looked on as the leaders Of
| their factions. A recent affray with the
revenue officers and some reckless .testi
mony at the county court had Intensified
the ancient hatred, and occasioned the
plotting which was partially overheard
by Cripple Jim.
THAT preacher, Lamb, is some kin to
the Magees," said Jack Hardy; "and
that minds me t l see your Jim and
him together down by the gap this very
day"
MY Jim2"
Turley brought his fist heavily down
upor. the table before them. "'Long O.
that preacher Lamb, was heE I'll whip
him if | ketch him ruunin' arter his
fathers enemies. But like enough he's
a-listenin' now. I'd forgot he was sleepin'
IN yander."
jim had risen to a sitting posture OF
tod
mcnt and his crutch, which had beer
leaning against the bed, fell to th'
floor.
The talk had stopped. Then jim
heard his father rise, open the door and
approach his bedside. A heavy hano
was laid upon him, and he was dragged
out into the next room.
..Were you a-listenin'2" his fathe
asked.
.Icouldn't help hearin' when ye talked
50 loud, replied jim.
.sIIad you any idee of tellin' any one
what you heard-y our preacher man, to-
instance
..Why-why, no father! I'd skasely
thought-of that-yet-'
Turley struck the table with impatienct
as he noticed Jim's hesitancy.
tSee here, son." he said, "I'm a mar
of not many words. nor do chez
'em over more'n once. You've heard
and likely you know something Of wha
we're up to. !. you cheep word t
any one, I'll find it out-mind that! An
then the punishment you'll git from m
you'll never forgit the longest day 20
live"
Jim's silence, his very fear of h
father, seemed to exasperate Turley tn
, more
'Why don't you hold up your head I
he roared. ..You look like a son {
, mine, don't your
Jim still did not reply. Then. as th
father gaZed, the sons lnhrmlty Oegs
to plead for him. Turley saw two lars
tears upon the lads cheeks, and som
: thing stirred him to remember that tn
t poor boy was, after all, his own son.
Come, now," he said, more gentl
! Il only want to warn you what yo1
q might expect if you was fool enough
$ be tattlin' Get back to bed, and
q here's dram to settle your naryes."
: ,Iim, ,'iisresariins the cup that W
II oHerei' him, fixed his eyes appealing
upon his father.
Father" he said, ''you know I on