Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-01-06
TcHOESH AMONG THE HILLS.
A STORY OF WEST VIRGINIA.


ment OF the squire by the tree, that in
dividual was not noticed by the fretting
Blfner.
No, Jasper" be resumed, 81 would
have stuck in that prison through a
dozen lives II possessed them, rather
than take the oath."s
At this remark the squire craned his
neck arouod the tree 20 see who was
speaking, and Colonel BfTner was pain
fully aware that for the first time In
several years be was face 10 face with
the man he so abhorred aud whose giant
stature and muscular capacity he had
carefully weighed in his pugilistc con-
temptation, but somehow that morning
his gold-rimmed glasses seemed sud
denly TO possess such unusual magnify
ing powers as 10 make the squire ap-
pear as II he was Initiating the frog IN
the fable. Colonel Biffner moved his
hat slightly 10 one side and meditative-
iy scratched his head. His reputation
for veracity aud CON bativeness vas az
stake, yet be prudently hesitated 10 en-
gage 10 an encounter which be
was positive would terminate
victOriously for his antagonist For .
few seconds he considered his physical
Disadvantages, and then concluded
that rather than have Colonel Marisw
consider him a poltrOon and liar, he
would take the splendid chances Of re-
ceiviag a thorough trouncing. The
squire was seated; there was that muca
10 Colonel BliineF's favor, not 10 his
credit 10 make an attack. The first
impression that the squire received Of
the presence OF an aggressor was an un-
expected blow from Colonel Mariew's
cane, that the irascible Biffuer had
rudelY snatched, across his shoulders,
which caused him to spring 10 his feet
just In time 70 ward of another dealt
with all the little ColonePs energy.
what does this mean, sir?"
thuRdered the squire, Selling
his antagonist By the arms and
pinning him 10 the tree. What does
this mean, | say?"
1T means that you have caused the
ruin Of my health and property"
Kissed Colonel Biffner.
"How did l cause the ruin Of your
health aud property? Tell me, sir"
furiOusly demanded the squire.
''By having me sent to prison, sir, "
vas the Snappish reply accompanied
with q vicious but ineffective kick.
You accuse me- falsely, sir" roared
the squire. Il had nothing TO do with
YOUR Imprisonment or the destruction
Of your property. Now go and bother
! me no more" and be gave little Bifner
| a thorough shaking that caused his
teeth 10 chatter, and then pushed him
aside contemporary. But little Colonel
\ Bifner was far more memorable
than the squire imagined, for the In
slant thaS he found himself free he
sOrang uimbly into the air like game
cock and dealt the squire such deX-
ferrous and singing blow upon the tem-
pie that he staggered violently and
came near falling; aud he was in the
act OF repeating the blow when friends
| Of both parties made timely Interior
euce. The squire was thoroughly in
dignant and desired very greatly TO
! totally demolish the aggressive little
colonel, but was prevented from doing
so. He picked up his hat, which had
been knocked off IN the encounter, and
after venting numerous eXpletives and
threats for the antagonistic cOlOnels
! oeae6t, walked OF with deep mutter-
ings.
The curious aud motley crowd that
the difficulty had caused to Bile
finally dispensing and with il Colonel
Btffner Colonel MarfeW was again
alone. Occasionally ne ran his hand
over bis fragment Of limb as thong h
striving 10 alleviate the pain from which
10 was seldom free. Finally, his hand
lay carelessly in his lap, the great
smoking bowl Of his pipe had gradually
sunk until il rested on his breast, smoke
was no longer emitted from between his
lips, for ae had fallen into a doze from
which he was shortly after awakened
by the loud and labOriOus rafting OF an
approaching vehicle, and turning he be-
held a gaunt, hungry looking mule
hitched 20 a creaky, dilspidated cart in
which were squatted two negro men
and a woman, their mouths wide open
and their dilated eyes concentrated on
/ him.
"Mastan, mastah" they chorused,
/ tumbling out OF the cart so precipitate-
~ as to menace its immediate destruc-
| tion and 20 cause the sorry mule TO
I spraddle like a granddaddy-longlegs in
order 70 maintain his equilibrium.
1--WE sca'cely knOwed yuh, mastah, "
Moke remarked sympathetically, "6e-
case yuh looks so OIL an has a stick 10 q
iaig.'
YES, 1 have changed" said the Col
onel. forcing a smile as he grasped one
after the other of the three black hands
extended TO MIN; II have changed, and
not for the best, Moke. Am glad TO see
YOU all once more. my faithfuls, You
have not suffered, hope? And where
have YOU been sll the time?"
Yves been Twin out in Ohio, mas
tab" quickly responded Moke.
yves lived dab evan sence Mr..
Slaywick bought de OF place an
driv US ofen IL. But we couldn't
stan dem Ohio niggahs, mastah;
dey's too mucn edicated TO- us; so we
gatbahed uD an come back heah I Vlr-
ginny Z live 'mong de kin O. niggahs
dat we s used 70. Wat muss than 5
been, mastah, sence yuh went 'wayl
Didn't know white folks could act de
way dey has. An now, mastah, wants
yuh T. 'splain one thing: Aftah all dis
fghtin' an KILN o. one an Z othah,
which O. de soldiers whipped 10 de en'F
Niggah don 'peah I unde'stan' de thing
'xactly; dey knows dey ; free, an dat 5
all dey does know. Some niggahS says
one side whipped an some says t
othah.
An, mastab, :" said old Mandy, before
the Colonel could reply TO Moke's ques-
tiOn, "ain't yuh gwine : git the ia m o
Mr.. Slaywick so we kin all live dan
ag'in? Mist'ess said she reekoned yum
would"
''Your mistress didP And when did
she say SOP"
- hout a weak ago. mastab, she did. "