Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-10
PART I.

PARE i.
There was a stir in Wilkesburg when the
Pearsons arrived from New York wilkes
burg was small town on a branch rail-
road in the billy. region of Kentucky, ana
time was never very important commod-
ity there. The people grew to be very large
and lived to be very old. The representa-
tive of their district in Congress was the
greatest man they knew, though they hearo
much of New York and their notions or l.
were vague These dim Impressions they
derived chiefly from the county newspaper
that fearless and vigorous opponent OF the
trusts and monopolists, of which Ne" YORK
was the home 1t is said. and from theI
Congressman, who delivered valiant ana
terrible blows at the plutocrats of the east
when he spoke in the little court house
square at Wilkesburg.
So without any direct attempt at an
analysis of their feelings, they thought OF
New York as a great but distant snado"'
a place where most of the people were en-
tirely given over to unholy greed and to
all phases of wickedness. The idea was
firmly inhedied in the minds of every man
and woman in Wilkesburg that Wilkesburs
and the thousands OF other little places like
it 6, attered between the Atlantic ana the
Pacific were the true salvation OF the coun-
try and its rock of hope in mu'iuy sea.
But the one name that conjured up horrors
for them was Wall street. 1t was the apoue
of burnt-in sin, kind of wltchs spot III
which were brewed all the evil plans
against the peace and welfare of the honest
rural population. They were convinced
that New York was rich and maSnnceht
at their expense, and the subject was oltell
discussed, though not In a very bitter way,
but as n thing that it seemed must De, al
the regular Saturday afternoon nail non
day when the men gathered around the
stove in the general store
TkIr iDdrtn1blt
toward New York did not blunt their ap-
probation of Jim Pearson Jim was one
of themselves, a venttrous hehtuchlaii
who had gone to New York twenty years
before, and had shown that he was as
good and as smart as the best of the \ an
KEGS themselves. At intervals in those long
twenty wears reports of Jim s success would
come back No one else in Wilkesburg or
the Surrounding country had ever gone as
far as New York. and at the caucuses
around the stove expressions OF admiration
of Jims daring were given with warmth
and without reserve. 1t was a matter OF
personal pride to every one that ken-
tuckian and native of their own Wilkes
burg should invade New York and do SO
we'll They heard that Jim had married In
New York a few years after his arrival
there. and they wondered how many chill
G-en he had and what he intended TO make
of them They did not suppose ne would
ever conGescend to visit Kentucky again.
But when Tom Crockett, who was jim
first cousin on his mothers side, received
a letter from Jim saying that Jim and his
wife were coming to pay MN VISIT, the
news was known all over W1lkeSburg IN
less than three hours. Mr. Crockett was
bachelor but he kept house. or, rather, an
able cOIored woman kept il for him, i'll a
low but roomy old place that his grand
father. who was of the first settlers,
had built. Mr.. Crockett was somewhat
illustrated" as he described 1T, at the TN
expected honor, but the ties of kinsnip and
hospitality are very strong in Kentucky.
The kentuckian OF the true blood would
rather he a host than guest, in order
that he may do for the others, and MIR.
Crockett was delighted. There a
mighty hustle in his house, and it was soon
in fit condition to receive a kinSman VINO,
a victor in a distant cline. was returning
after many years to visit his birthplace
and the friends Of his youth. At least, that
was the way it was put by jeremiah
Brooks, who taught the public school and
had pOetical ideas.
The circle around the stove had new
topic. The silver question, the chances OF
the next presidency and the relative brav-
cry of the northern and southern troops
in the civil war were retired temporarily
in the presence Of Jim Pearson There
were many opinions to the effect of New
York upon Jim. Young Sol Haselrigg, who
was clerk in the store and had aspirations
OF his own, "reckoned that Mr.. Pearson
would be stuck up" and would think him
self too good for the Wiikesburs people.
AS for himself. young Mr.. HaselTigg de-
clared he would not take airs from any
man. even if he did live in New York. But
Mr.. Crockett. who was a chivalric man.
stood up stoutly for Cousin Jim. He re-
membered him we'll He was a right
peart' boy, but he genuine Kentucky
stock, and ne didn't think New York would
corrupt him.
Mr.. Pearson and his wife arrived one sun
shiny Saturday morning, and Mr.. Crockett
was at the train to meet them. He recog-
nized Cousin Jim at once. despite his New
York clothes and the twenty years that had
passed. Mr.. and Mrs. Pearson were IN
travelling garb, and Wilkesburg did not
have much chance to pass judgment on
them just then, for Mr.. Crockett bore them
off hastily to his house. He "reckoned
they might be right smart tired having
come such long journey, and he guessed
good snack and rest would pearten 'em
up a Reap
MIR. Crockett was mach worried because
they did not bring the children along as he
wanted to have the whole family with him.
but Cousin Jim explained that he dislikej
to impose or good nature, and he mad lief,
the boys-he had only two children and
they were both Doys-at home with friends
The PearsonS reappeared the next day at
the Methodist Church with Mr.. Crockett
and were subjected to a minute exanl:na-
ton by the whole population OF Wilkes
burg 1t was decided after services tina,
their clothes were of very advanced type
ard were the acme of fashion. Young Mr.
Haselrisg himself was convinced of that
for he noted with great care ever detail
of Mr.. PearSOn's attire. The verdict upon
the manners was reserved for further
acquaintance. that was not a matter
upon which WilkeSburp would PASS lightly