The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-20
PART Ill.

Die rode off, leaving Loorany sitting
close to Hildreth, of Hall, under the big
umbrella. And yet, he wasn't feeling
very much out of sorts, either. His pa
thence was of that remarkable kind that
mountain life breeds-the kind that be-
longs TO the everlasting hills, the over
hanging sky. 1t can best be described
l(if you have mind quick TO draw para
bles) by a story that has been told on all
Abe mountains in the world where peo-
ple abide since--oh, since the year /.
The weather comes up and shakes
hands with the mountain. "You are
still here" it says. "Oh, yes" replies
The mountain. Well, I'm going Off
and warm up" the weather says. "lll
get warm here" the mountain rejoins.
The next time the weather comes up
and says: I'm going OFF somewhere to
cool off," and the mountain answers:
s.Ill get cool here" 1t was the same as
TO taking n bath or getting dry. The
weather went after il, while the noun
tain sat still and enjoyed it. At last
the weather got mad and invented a
thunderstorm, thinking to frighten the
mountain, but the mountain was SO
tickled with this that after it made
friends with the weather 1t insisted on
having thunderstorm at least twice
week during the warm season.
So John Wesley Millirons, as he rode
home, laughed to himself at the
thought that he was the mountain and
Ioorany the weather. 1t was an un-
couth thought that couldn't be worked
out logically, but it pleased John Wes-
lev to hug the idea to his bosom, logic
or no logic. Aud so he carried ii home
with him and nursed it long and patient
ly as an invalid woman in poorhouse
nurses sick gerapium.
After the camp-meeting Hildreth of
Hall became familiar figure on Tray
mountain, especially in the neighbor-
hood of Hatch's Clearing. AS the year
1853 was period of war, you will won
der how such strapping young fellow
as Hildreth of Hall kept out of the
confederate army, since there WAS sueh
a strenuous demand for food for the
guns. big and little. The truth is, il was
a puzzle to good many people about
that time, but there was no secret at
all about it. The Hilderths, both of
Hall and Habersham, had n good deal
Of political influence. il you think war
shuts out politics and politicians Won
are very much mistaken. On the con-
trnry, it widens their field OF operation
and thus sharpens their wits. In the
confusion and uproar their increased
activity escapes attention. Thus it hap
x1.aX Il y. ~ II,I
missary. He had horse and buggy at
the expense of the government and the
tax payers of the country had to pay
him well for every trip he made to Tray
mountain.
Under these circumstances, you un-
derstnnd, counting was not only easy
md pleasant but profitable as well, and
Hildrcth Of Hall took due advantage of
the situation. He would have made his
Headquarters at Mrs. Pruett's, but
somehow that lady. who was thirty odd
years younger then than she is now, had
mo fancy for the young man. She po-
uitely rejected his overtures, and so he
unade arrangements to put up at old
man Millirons'-of all places in the
world. 1t was such a queer come-off
ahat John Wesley used to go behind the
corn crib and chuckle over it by the
hour, especially on Sundays when he
had nothing else to do.
1t was plain TO everybody except
John Wesley Millirons that Loorany
was perfectly crazy about Hildreth of
HAL, but good many, impressed by
Mrs Pruetts prejudice against the
young man, had their doubts as 10
whether he was crazy about Loorany.
On the other hand, there were lust ns
many, including the majority of the
young people, who were certain, as
they said. that Hildreth of Hall loved
uoorany Parmalee every bit and grain
as hard as Loorany loved him. Between
fhc two friendly factions you could hear
all the facts in regard to the case and
still never get at the rights of il.
Once Mrs. Pruett took John Wesley
20 task in kindly fashion. 'I never
know'd you was so clever, John
Wesley, tell seed you give the road TO
Hild'eth o. Hall-an' Loorany a-stand-
in right spang in the middle waitin' TO
see which un 'ud git TO 'er fust. Oh,
yes, John Wesley, you er cen about the
'cleverest feller in the worl'."
"How come, Mis-. Pruett? he in.
quired blandly.
why bekaze you was so quick to give
way TO that chap from below"
"Shucks! that feller hain't n botherin'
me." exclaimed John Wesley.
"oh. hope not" said Mrs. Pruett:
"the Lord knows 1 do. Fer ef he amt
n-botherin' you, know mighty well he
amt a-botherin' Loorany. Efyou could
"a seed 'em swingin' in the bulace
vine, as 1 did yestiddy you wouldn't n
thought Loorany was bothered much.
Well, not muchl" Mrs. Pruett added
sarcas;ically.
~ seed EN-" remarked John Wesley,
chuclxling.
''yon did?" cried Mrs. Pruett. She
was both surprised and indignant.
''Lor', yassuml I thess sot up an
laughed. s.. 4; The feiler thinks be.
kaze he's got his arm 'roun' Loorany