The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-12-21


-n.t ~ enu-~. Tins b. NOT true unless
a- possibly might have been tlr ea>e.
/, -....-s must have had "a small amount
NJ .-.H4 aud an enormous degree O.
honor I:ut ID j. fac, That IN TINS
community man placed very hl-a
estimate upon his own word An" "
NAV naturally he inferred that the
.-nt,. f'1uri~hed as fever that followed
the. chilly Observance Of trivial though
rr.-t4 rules OF social conduct The
code. did flourish, aud il houri~hed -
iuNuriartIv that every man in the com
anuit. became 50 expert Il shot that a
duel meant almost certain death for
both parties
m this community there lived two .
Young men who had grown up in /
rivalry. not in the nature Of love +
affair, but had early learned to de /
spi>e each Others good points Bill /
Iirg~ acknowledged one day that he .
really did not know why he hated |
podeIev Tut do YOU really hate him|"
some one asked.
Hate him. Why hydrophobia !
never hated pure blood as hate that
fellow lie hcsitatcd moment and
then added Rather an odd com
harrison. gentlemen. admit, but when
think OF that man have manla-a
feeling that have been bitten by
mad dog And yet, | stand here ready
to commend him, acknowledging him
to be a man Of good manners, OF good
family and good graces. But hate him
and he hates me"
that Won We never come
together" man remarked.
Yes, il i rather strange, and yet
not SO strange either. when you con-
Ter the fact that neither of us has
ever given the other cause to take
active offense. hated him at school
and have hated him everywhere; and
what is strange to me is that instead
of my hate wearing out as the years of
Judgment come on. it seems to become
deeper, as the roots ofa poisonous vine
that push their way further and fur
Their into the earth. | suppose we'll
come together some day"
Billings had been waiting for the
blacksmith to shoe his horse, and as
the work was now done he mounted
and rode away. He had not been gone
long when Podsley rode up. He did
not dismount, but turning sidewise in
his saddle he began in his easy and
withdrawing way to harangue the
party of men sitting about the door.
Il have just seen the new circuit
rider" said he, land he told me that
he expected to do a great work in this
neighborhood. | informed him that
there was plenty Of material lying
around, and that as soon as | got
through with my own particular har-
vest would help him with his. Oh, |
| think that ! can swing a cradle in the
tangled wheat and tares of sin. But
don't think that the preacher took my
! offer in good part. He asked me if |
were professor, and had to tell him
| that there still remained several de-
grees Of sanctity that / had not taken.
| Thereupon, fellow-citiZens, he rebuked
me-"
And he served you right" said the
blacksmith, who stood in the door,
wiping his hands on his sheep-skin
apron.
q suppose you're right, lobe" Pods
ley replied, but it does rather chafe
me to see a young fellow just from
school, just from an ambitious exam,
nation into which his earthly pride
urged him by promising him prize-1
say it chafes me to hear that young
fellow talk to older men about the sin
of the world and of the great work
which he himself is expected to per
form. And yet, If it hadn't been for q
certain man in this community I sup
pose that should have been a preach
er. 1t was my mothers prayer and my
own intention, but as the time drew
near | found that my heart was too
full of hate to preach the gospel O.
love-"
But couldn't you let the love for thu
many overcome the hate of the one?'
the blacksmith asked.
mo, l threw personal inclination
' and a mothers yearning on the side o
. love of the many, but there stood tn,
hate, defying everything"
eve all know who the object Of hat
is" said the blacksmith.
"Oh, / suppose you do, for there ha
never been any concealment of it. Al
his friends and all my friends know 1t
And yet, to tell you the truth, don
know why hate him. 1t has been
mystery to me nearly all my life. But
remember that about the first luci
thought ever had was the idea tina
he had been born merely to annoy me
His annoyance, though, was always Q
passive kind. have never been abb
to call him to account for anything
that he has said or done. And thi
makes me hate him still more Well
boys, take care of yourselves"
He rode away, turned to the RICH
and galloped down the county road
He had not gone far when he saw,
short distance ahead, man sitting O.
horse, talking to a girl who ha
brought gourd of water from hous
near by. Podsley knew the man an
he rode past him without turning hi
head. but the girl must have seen tina
he cast hard look, for she drew bac
from the fence and said something i
an undertone. Podsley rode on. Bi
nngs' horse soon came cantering afte
him. The road abruptly dipped dow
end crossed a small stream. Podsle
3 halted to let the horse drink Billing
70 rode into the stream and halted.
q bright weather we're having" sal
10 Billings.
N Eyes, rather. But don't think tina
10 little rain would do any harm"
N mo, except to some weakling VIII
M might chance to get wet
~ That's a fact" Podsley rejoined
NJ and, by the way, there are weakling
In this neighborhood."
Yes, know of one"
: "And know Of one"
Then there must be two"
n 81 know of but one"
1. They rode out of the stream, rod
# side by side. Billings" said Podsley
Il hate every hair on your head"
IL 'Podsley," retcrted Billings, g