The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-18

,rritated. so much so, indeed, that you
will inquire with some scorn IL TINS -
what the people around here call
clearing. The boy whilst at you again
with half smile playing around ms
pale lips. and say. as he runs his thumb
under the lone suspender to give II a
firmer seat on his shoulder:
"Tbev NV been calm it that ever
sence granny came here from dunno
where's"
Then YOU will ask how far 1t is to
Mrs. Pruett's, and the boy will say with
more animation:
"Hit amt no ways, skeersely. I'll
show you wher. She's my granny.
Whereupon he will turn and walk
by the buggy, examining horse, harness
and vehicle with critical eyes. To keep
up the conversation you will ask him II
he's ever been to Atlanta, and he VIII
say, with an unconcerned air:
~ never has, but my Buddy Bill, he
ever has. They tuck him thar. Mister,
that hoss is plum tired out"
If you are wise you will fall to talk
ing about the horse and so take the
mind of the boy Off the compulsory
tourney to Atlanta, for such things as
these do not constitute the pleasantest
memories of Tray mountain, nor of any
other mountain or valley whatsoever.
The boy will conduct you cheerfully,
II not gayly, along the road, and in a
little while you will hear the hens caclS-
ling in Mrs. Pruett's horse lot. This will
give the lad an excuse to run on ahead
of you. He will exclaim, with as much
energy as his plaintive voice can COM
mand:
"oh, Lordy! them plegged dogs is
done run the oil dominicker hen off'n
the nest"
Whereupon he will start to running
and pretend to go to the horse lot. But
il is all pretense, for when you come
in sight of the house you will see three
or four, maybe half dozen, white
headed children on the fence watching
for you, 'and il you have said kind
word to the boy who volunteered to be
your guide Mrs. Pruett herself will be
standing on the porch, the right arm
stretched across her ample bosom, so
that the hand may serve as rest for the
elbow of the left arm, which is bent so
that the reed stem of her beloved pipe
may be held on n level with her good
humored mouth. You will have time
TO notice, as your horse ascends the in
cline that leads to the big gate, that
the house is very comfortable one for
the mountains, neatly weather-boarded
and compactly built, with four rooms
and "shed," which serves as dining
room and kitchen. Two box wood
plants stand sentinel inside the gate,
and are, perhaps, the largest you have
ever seen. There is also ragged hedge
OF privet, which seems 10 tack thrift.
A little later you will discover why
matters and things at Mrs. Pruett's are
ordered somewhat differently from
those that prevail Mt other mountain
homes with which you may chance tc
be acquainted. Mrs. Pruett herself is
not native and to the manner born.
though you would never discover il
until she told you; and this information
will not be long delayed. You will find
that she was born in Jasper county,
that her father moved TO the Cherokee
country after she was grown, and that
she married Mr.. Pruett, who, after
many ups and downs, settled on Tray
mountain, "an' done mighty well tell
the government got to begrudgin' poor
folks the little bit er money they made
by turnin' Their apples an the'r grain
into sperrets."
But this is running ahead faster than
the boy did, and you can't do that com
fortably in buggy drawn by tired
and hungry horse. The most you can
do is to drive within easy hailing dis
tance, take off your hat to the mother.