The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-07-09

asAaA.sAnAs
man and beast, the many insects that
sat out in tho furnacc-like sun, rattling
shrilly with very joy. Then the dense
| shade Of the murky shadOwed swamp
and the big scaly back scorpions and
dainty multi-cOlOred lizards that played
an eternal game of hide and seek among
the rotting rails Of the old snake fonce.
The trio had disappeared into the
swamp and Dave calmly retilled his
riilc, waiting as though lost in thought.
Presently from the rear of the cabin
came the harsh command
"iou cowardly bushwhacker in
there, como out an fight like man !;
If ye don't, we'll burn ye an yer shanty
an the gal with ye."
There was no opening in the rear OF
the cabin, the logs wore thick and the
chlnks were we'll stopped with clay, so
that Dave could not return a leaden an
swer to this brutal challenge. Hofn-
gered the rifle nervOusly and looked at
Sue.
"Oh, Dave, don't open the door," she
| pleaded, meeting the earnest look bent
Dawes frOuzy slOuch hat: 81 amt
afeercd toe burn"
His lips blanched, his knees were
gotten the one boast Of his poor pinch
cd life, uttered SO long ago. "Toe pur-
tee, yo honah an happiness, | 'ud
throw away my wuthless life" Ho ut
tered the words again monotonously,
lingering the rifle that was hold Imply
in his shaking hands.
Poor Sue, there was no answering
laughter in her soul now for those
grotosqucly scntentious words which
broke in husky monotone on her hear
ing like last prayer.
In that moment Dave, who had al
ways been ~ coward, who had all his
life long borne mcel1ly tho scorn and
opprobrium attached to the character,
arouse to IL sense Of his degradation,
calmly arose to the very pinaclc OF he
rOsm.
"l'm coming OUT he called and
shooting back the bolt he stood on tho
cabid step before them.
| "fall back and givo him Il show; res
coming out, boys"' Sue clung to him,
pleading. "Davc don't: there's four to
one. Don't go" but he pushed her
gently back into the room.
bolt the door behind me w he said
and passed out.
Sue stood motionless in the centre of
the room waiting for it to begin. Dave
pulled the trigger OF his gun and turn
! cd the corner, and instantly four weap-
ons barkcd with one voice.
! SCo heard something heavy fall
against the side OF tho cabin: then in.
| stnntly the sharp, clear uttcruncc of a
| rifle answered the carbiucs again and
still again. One cnrbinc only answered
then all was still: only tho fretful warb
ling OF a. wren in tho nearby ChcrokcC
| rose hedge breaking the tense silonct
or the drOwsy afternoon hush.
Anxiety conqucring terror, Suc Dire "
back tho bolt, throwing the door widt
open. n broad stream Of yellow iight
and ~ rush OF heat met her, passing
over Il figure on it's knees that alway.
trcmblcd at the sight OF dccp water
| Davo was gasping his last breath
| l}lccding and shattered, he crcpt tt
her tcct, after the manner OF II faithful
dog, to die. In tho grave gray eye:
that we're raised to hcrs there was tn,
| light Of the cXnltation Of Il passing
spirit, triumphant over the shadow OF
| death which already darkcncd them
| Ills lips moved in tho cOntOrtiOn Of {;
smile that broke in.o an articulatc muir
mur.
81 done said that toe purtcc' yo
honah and happiness | would til 'ow
away my wuthlcsS lifu--an done hit" )"
And Dave, with the crimson glory O
his "wuthlcss lifc's" blood streaming
from many wounds, passed to the judg.
mcnt reserved for him from the begin.
ming Of all things.
| The wren shivCrCd out her fragment.
airy song to Heaven, the perfume Of the
| Cherokee rose filled tho air Of the
fading day and the setting sun, steam
ing through the cabin door, touched
the still figure of Dave, wrapping him
in molten splcndor us though with the
face Of Il dying god
Poor Dave, though Il coward all his
life long, ho had earned the reward Of
hcroism at tho very end. "Grcatcr love
hath no man tni:, that he lay down his
life for his FRIEND"
--~anr