The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-02-12
,r was II a sly way of discovering

one could, Jack was sure, who saw her
often. He had heard that some simple
lookinp SoutheIners were desperately
crafty and it was plain to Jacks prac-
1iced eve that this fellow, in spite of his
rpde exterior, was no fool; had he not
discovered, through his own unaided in
! telligence, that Jack himself was "a
pooty decent kind of a feller?" What
could he be up to? Well, the most
straightforward course was the best,
particularly with man who always
carried gun, and was astir SO early in
the morning.
MY friend" said Jack, Il give you
nv word as an honest man that all I'm
thinking about down here is the bee
business. I like the people I've met
along the river, and the young woman
you have been talking about is very
charming girl. but I've a mother and
sisters of my own, and I've too much
respect for other women to trifle with
their feelings"
Il didn't 'llow that you'd do anythin'
mean-no siree-not a bit Of it," was
the reply. 1T amt you I'm afraid OF
doin' anythin', it's her, bless her big,
warm, natural, innocent, heart. You're
somethin' new an strange, not that she
amt seen other men that wasn't brought
up in these parts, but reckon you amt
like the rest Of 'em; she thinks so, any
how"
jack had been studying the man
closely while he talked. Unless all
rules Of human nature were false, this
man was no sly dog; there were traces
of the gentleman in the expression of
his countenance. 1t was natural that
he should not have said bluntly that he
himself was in love with the girl; he
had displayed admirable taste in the
way he put the case. Jacks heart
warmed toward him, and Jacks hand
went forward as its owner said:
Your manner does you great credit.
old man, and wish you Joy Of her.
promise solemnly that will not 60 near
her house again. When l find myself
feeling lonesome III tramp in the op:
posite- direction and find somebody to
talk to. We Yankees are great takers;
everybody has his weakness, you know.
But as for that girl, again give you my
word that won't see her again"
The visitor dropped Jacks hand and
his face grew long as he sighed:
-That'll be awful hard on her.
Jack stared in astonishment; then he
began to lose his temper and he eX.
claimed-almost shouted:
See here, old man, you talk like
fool. No man can be near that girl
without admiring her great deal;
you've told me certain things about her;
you don want her to get more inter-
ested in me. nor me in her, yet
Yes, do came with great energy
from the visitor, while Jack in his sur
prise stepped backward and nearly
tumbled into the river. Il only want
you to keep away il you don't mean
anythin' serious. Nothin' would suit
me better than for her to git man like
you for her husband"
What? And you give her up?"
Then it was the visitors turn to be
surprised. He began to straighten nim-
self to standing posture, and he con-
tinued until he seemed giant when he
said:
What have I got to do with it? ! amt
her beau. I'm goin' to marry friend
Of hers as soon as my cabins DONE"
"Oh," said Jack, with whole gamut
OF infections as the change Of condi-
tions became clear to him. Then he
found his brain In whirl. 1t was ut
terly ridiculous, the discomfort he had
suffered In abandoning that girl, whom
he had first seen only twelve hours be-
fore, to the man whom he supposed WAS
her lover. Now that he learned she
was free he wanted to shout with Joy,
which Of course was equally ridiculous.
Besides, the fellow was probably mis-
taken; any man in love imagines every
body else In the same condition. He
would question his informant farther,
not that it would be possible for him to
fall in love in earnest with q woman Of
whose family he knew nothing, but it
would be delightful to be sure that so
glorious q creature had really become
interested in him.
Its born in her." said the visitor, af-
ter short chat about the indications
which had aroused his interest. Her
father and mother went the same way.
I've heard ag'in an ag'in how her
mother, who was the most run after gal
in these parts, never took a shine to any
feller till one day Sam came along.
There'd been some land flooded down
here by break in the levee, an Sam
come down with some more fellers from
up-river to 60 for deer that got punched
on little rise of ground that the water
didn't cover. He stopped at her old
mans house to light his pipe; he didn't
git no deer with his gun, but he got q
dear with his tongue oefore mornin'."
Then the visitor INDUCED in a long and
gentle laugh over this time-honored
joke Of the vicinity. AS for Jack, he
murmured beneath his mustache:
-Heredity! heredity!"
Sam could have done good deal
better for himself, in the money way
said the visitor, If he hadn't been so
fond Of his wife He's got good head
for business, an more'n one big planta-
tion owner back Of the river has offered
to 60 shares with him if Sam would
manage the place an let the owner go
off North or somewheres else an fool
away his money, but Sam won't live
anywheres but in the cabin where he
fust met his gal. Well, don't blame
him. If feller has got that sort Of
stuff in him good and solid, he gifts more
good out Of the world than money could
buy him-don't you think so, stranger?
The old gals just as sweet an pooty in
his eyes as the fust day he saw her, an
she can't see no change in him. Amt
that enough?"
1T certainly ought to be-" said Jack,
with great deal Of feeling The Wis
itor, who had been studying Jacks
half averted face, offered his own hand,
which had grasp like wise, as he
said:
Il thought you'd say so; I saw 1t in
your eye. Well, must be goin' I'm
after a buck that I saw in the