The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-23
the Monk brothers and the men who

DldIl WOuJuu WOIhs DdO puC Souh
ty was, the people wouldn't like to be
people in the State.
at would not 90 TO get oil the decent
people down on them," Bill Monk said,
to which Ned Monk sorrowfully assent
ed.
Same time, Bill" said Ned, "won't do
to have people talking about this chap
so much. Tell you what-let's tell he's
not so much to brag of, or feller that
can do so much, and knows so awful
much as Dan Bash does, wouldn't be
fooIln' IN his time Jeachln' school way up
here"
"That's a blame good idea," said Bill
Monk. "We'll work it for all it's worth.
Blamed if think he is straight. He's
likely got powerful reasons for coming
up here"
So that it seemed to the Monks quite
clear now that, If they managed it right,
they would "give Dan Bash q heap OF
bother before long"
Meantime Dan Bash was making
friends every day.
There was a good deal Of speculation
concerning the young man whom NOBODY
knew anything about. further than he
chose to ten. And he said very little
He had reasons to keep his own counsel,
he thought. At least he kept his affairs
to himself.
If there was anybody more than an
other who knew who and what Dan Bash
was, people said 1t was Hank Dawson.
The schoolteacher was frequent WIS.,
itor at the blacksmith's. 1t was pretty
we'll known, too, why he went there.
Club Dawson's beauty and high spirit
was ss we'll known-as widely known
as her fathers smithy and great
strength, for Hank Dawson was q giant
in strength. He had lifted one -four
barrel and set it on top OF its fellow, and
set third on top of the second, some
thing unheard Of.
AS the giant of the Corners sat beside
his fire, smoking and listening to Dan
Bash relating his pranks at college
which Dan did some time for Hanks d.
version-he would laugh heartily.
~There amt many young chaps like
that" he would say to his only daughter,
Club, when Bash went away.
One evening, after Dan Bash bade
them good d-night, Club leaned over her
fathers shoulders and stroked his hair
softly, as she said:
4You seem to think good deal Of Dan
Bash, dad"
swell. a sort Of way-yes He's
mighty knowing chap"
@And he seems to be square out and
out"
"Yes; he does"
@And he's lively company?"
SPowerful lively"
Hank Dawson's mouth was drawn
down now. He was resolved his daugh-
ter should lead the talking.
"Dad!"
"Well?"
"Dan Bash has asked me-"
@Hello! Hello!"
Hank Dawson knew very we'll what
was in the air. He had good eyesight
sYou don't mind, dad"
sYes do. Amt 1t my business?"
ayes OF course it is. And told
him it was. And he knows unless you
like him it's no use his comm round any
more"
"Chub," said Hank Dawson, "you're
the best girl from here to the forks Of
the road. He's blamed handsome fel-
low. / don't know nothing about him
more than just what he tells US; but I
like him, aud IL he can satisfy you and
newly, then, that's all there's to be
said. You'll set the day, and we'll mar
ry you to him. I don't count on giving
you up-I won't do that"
"No, dad. told him wouldn't leave
you, for you've been father and mother
to me. Besides, there's way for all Of
Us here. That's settled on"
uJ Hhnh
@Of course you did. I'D like to see the
man who would take me away from you.
You've got to have your pipe and sit by
the fire, or it wouldn't be like home to
me-"
~That's just like you, Chub-just like
you"
There were tears in Hank Dawson's
eyes, but he wiped them away furtively
and Club did not see them.
So it was soon known to every one
that Dan Bash was going to marry Club
Dawson, the blacksmith's daughter.
Mr.. Potts stood on the porch telling it
to all the travellers as the latest news; his
wife, not content with assisting her hus-
band st the tavern, went around among
the neighbors relating all and much
moru than she knew concerning the
preparations for the wedding
Hank Dawson was going into the town
to buv her O new silk dress-a blue silk
dress, and a white bonnet and white
veil. Club was going with him, Of
courSe-"how could Hank pick things
for a gal?"
1t was true. For some reason Dan
Bash had been very anxious to get the
wedding over. Club wanted more time
she was determined not to be married
lover. He pressed her so that she con-
sented to marry him in month.
The engagement enraged the Monks
The marriage must be prevented at all
hazards. With such an ally as Hank
Dawson, the power OF the Monks would
soon be thing Of the past Two such
men as Bash and Dawson would rule the
coInty-or so much Of it as was useful
to the Monks
they'll never marry" said Ned Monk.
Il won't say they mayn't marry" said
Bill Monk, meaningly; "but If they do
say v-they won't live together very
long"
BILE oath.
Squatty, who was present, looked at
Bill Monk fearfully. He had horror
Of the schoolmaster ever since he had
heard that he could kick nearly ten feet
h!gE, and tumbled Hi Perkins on his
back.
"It's mighty ticklish business"
The Monk brothers looked at Squatty
contemptuously.
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