Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-25


house. He was an iii visaged fellow.
His features wore the unmistaksble
marks Of cruelty. cunning and sensual
ity. His face was dark naturally, but IL
was colored deeper dye by the smoke
OF his forge, for Van was the black
smith OF Chincapin Hollow. His burly
black head was set upon a thick neck
and thus fastened to herculean trunk.
He had all the characteristics Of crua
and ferocious icing. He wended ms
way slowly up the Hollow. muttering
curses as he went.
II know who she's stuck ON; its that
darn Sam Gray. but by thunder III get
even with EN-" he hissed between his
teeth "She wouldn't own to to it, but
I've had my eye ON him, confound him"
1t was "a lovely Sunday evening In the
month Of September, In that part Of Ar
kansas called the Boston mountains.
The sides Of the mountains were covered
with luxuriant chincapins, scrubby oaks
and trailing, heavy laden muscsdines.
The scenery in Chincapin Hollow was
delightful to one in aframe Of mind TO
enjoy il, but Van Jones saw none Of Its
beauties, In fact it is doubtful II he ever
was conscious Of them.
II he took any further notice Of them
at all it was as rock, water and brush.
He soon reached his shop, which stood
some distance up the hollow. II was
an old log building, whose caving roof
bore striking resemblance to sway
back horse. The tottering chimney Wis
ible above the gable had the rakish air
of q battered silk tile ON o drunken
sailor. The door, hung on 2 single
hinge, and being partly open, exposed
the interior Of the building TO view.
The tools were lying promiscuously
around. and 1t was evident that Van was
not a heat shopkeeper. He entered the
building, still bitterly cursing his luck
and swearing vengeance against his
rival.
"I1l get even with him II II takes fifty
years." he snarled. He shan't marry
Mandy Piggin because he's got q good
farm and o horse or two more'n I've
got. I'll get even with him IL I've got
to burn his barn or pizen his well. III
let him know that the man he's buckin
agin i'm this business amt no slouch,"
and q diabolical scowl settled over his
features a. he ceased muttering and
drew from his pocket o large clasp
knife, which he proceeded to shaEpsn
upon grindstone.
While Van was thus occupied the sun
was slowly sinking. Long shadows fen
across the Hollow. Gradually the dis
tapt mountain tops were wrapped In
roseate mists, and over the valleys float
ed purple vapors. The shadows begin
to deepen in the Hollow, and finally the
last ray Of light yanishes from the noun
tain's peak. First one bright star and
then another rises In the east. peering
down into the shadows below. Slowly
the heavens become decked with the
myriads Of bright scintillsting gems Of
night. 1t Ii calm, delightful night In
early autumn; the pure mountain air,
like an ethereal elixir. exhilarates and
cheers both man and beast.
In the starlit night a man on horse
back is seen slowly riding toward JEFF
ferson Piggin's house. He seems TO be
m no hurry, for he allows the splendid
mare he Is riding to choose her own
gait. He rides up TO the front Of the
picket fence surrounding the house,
throws the bride over one Of the pickets,
and knocking gently at the door Is met
by the blushing Mandy and bashfully
invited in.
"Howdy do. Miss Msndyi How air ys
this eveninY'
"Purty we'll, thank ys, Mr.. Gray.
How air ye and how air yer iolksy'
I'm purity well. l thank ye. and the
folks air about AZ common. Been enjy-
ing yerself today, Miss Mandy
"No, haven't, Mr.. Gray. It's been
an uncommon dull day 10 me. You
been injying yerself today, Mr.. GrayY'
mo, l can't say that I hev, Miss
Mandy. I was down at Shootin
match ut Cowskin Fiat, but there wus
no good shootin done, and l came home.
But looks like o purity gal like you
shouldn't feel lonesome-hsy, Miss
Mandy
why not, Mr.. Grayf Don't yer think
gals git lonesome sometiInesY
well, thought, Mica Mandy, ye'd
have plenty cump'ny, spesh'ly ON sun-
day"
"Oh, yes, I've had cump'ny, but 1t
waIn't q bit agreeable. I'd rather be
alone at eny time than to hev It,"
If it's fair question, who's been yer
cump'ny today, Miss MandyY'
Nobody in pertic'ler-at least that's
whut think Of Van Jones'"
"Why, seems to me, Miss Mandy, that
Van ought to be purity good company;
he's right smart feller, allus
thought"
"Well, don't like him, Mr. Gray.
and hope he'll never call ag'in"
"Why, Miss Mandy. did you and him
hev any troubley'
"A little, not much"
Would ye mind tellin me what 1t
was about, Miss Mandy and Sam bash
fully hitched his chair o few inches
nearer the blushing Mandy.
I'D rather not, Sam" she replied,
hanging her head in modesty at calling
him for the first time by his given name.
"Of course. Mandy. IL it's q secret !
don't want to hear 1t; it's none Of my
bizness no how, reckon. is it, Mandy
and Sans arm began cautious jour
ney around Miss Mandy's apron strings.
Mandy (unconsciously, no doubt) help
ed Sans arm along little by leaning
toward him. as she answered:
"Wpll Sam I hyuesa won won't tall