Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-05-15
CRIPPLE JIM.
BY WILLIAM P. BROWN.


tomorrow night" said the voice.
"Therell be nobody there but Wash and
his wife and that young preacher.
Wasn't it Wash Magee that sent word to
the revenoos and had our stills broke
upl Didn't Wash and his boys run
your son of to Texas, Jack Hardy, on
charge of cuttiu' Mike Wo odsell, which
YOU know was all an accidentl Hain't
Wash into every sort of meanness fust
one way and then t'otherl I've lowed
TO oct even with him for a good while,
and l say now, the time has come"
After this Jim heard clinking of tin
cups, and he knew the men were drink
inc. He shiyered with fear. They
were desperate men, yet Huse Turley,
their leader, wss his own father.
One of the mountain feuds had long
divided the Magees and the Turkeys. Its
influence had extended until friends aud
relatives had been drawn into it. 1t hao
sacrificed life and ruined good names; it
had made men fugitives, and women anc
children homeless.
At this period Huse Turley and Wash
Magee we're looked on as the leaders OF
their factions. A recent affray with the
revenue officers and some reckless testi-
monv 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 Jiml"
Turley brought his fist heavily down
uDon the table before them. " Long O.
that preacher Lamb, was he1 I'll whip
him if | ketch him ruunin' arter HI;
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 or
the bed. He made an agltated move
ment. aud his crutch, which had been
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 hand
was laid upon him, and he was dragged
out into the next room.
"Were you a-listenin'!" his father
asked.
"Icouldn't help hearin' when ye talked
so loud" replied jim.
"Had you any idee of tellin' any one
what you heard-your preacher man, for
instance"
"Why-why, no father I'd ska'ely
thought-of that-yet--"
Turley struck the table with impatlence
as he noticed Jims hesitancy.
"See here, son, he said, "pm man
Of not many words, nor do l che"
'em over more q once. You've heard,
and likely you know something OF what
we're up to. II you cheep a word tc
anv one, I'll find it out-mind that And
then the punishment you'll git from me
You'll never forgit the longest day you
livew
Jim's silence, his very fear of his
father, seemed to exasperate Turley the
more.
"Why don't you hold up your headF
he roared. "You look like a son o
mine, don't your
Jim still did not reply. Then, as the
father gazed, the sons in6rmity began
to plead for him. Turley saw two large
tears upon the lads cheeks, and some
thing stirred him to remember that this
poor boy was, after all, his own son.
"Come, now," he said, more gently,
az only want to warn you what you
might expect if you was fool enough to
ne tattlin'. Get back TO bed, and
here's a dram to settle your narves."
jim, disregarding the cup that was
offered him, fixed his eyes appealingly
upon his father.
"Father," he said, "you know l only
wish you well. Who else have l got to
keer for since mother was buriedl But
l want you to give up this plan. You
and Wash have been a-jowerin' fer
months, and what good do 1t DOR
"Git to bed, | say!'' exclaimed Turley,
his anger rising again.
'I must speak, IL you strike me,'
cried jim, excitedly. "What good do
all this swearing and drinking and fight
ing do2 Father, don't do this thing"
"What thingl Is the boy crazyl'
Turley gazed at the others in pretended
surprise.
"Why-wly-" Jim hesitated. He
had heard nothing definite, yet he felt
that some revengful deed was contem-
plated. "You know what, father"
''Listen at him. He'll be maxim out
next that his pop wants to hurt some
one. See here, jim, don't you bother