Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-06-25

some time ago that the family in the
cove might be peaceably deported if
the Bynum farm could be purchased,
and I suggested it to some of our peo-
ple in New York, with the caution that
the colonel mustn't be told of it until
the purchase was fact accomplished.
They put the matter in the hands of
our attorneys and told them not to bag
gle about the price. don't know how
the negotiations were conducted, but
imagine the Bynums found out that
the company was in the deal and they
refused point-blank to sell at any price.
That settled it, and it means that they
propose to stay and fight it out.
There'll be a fight, too, when we try to
open the McNabb vein; and hope we
can keep the Latimers out of it,"
but you mustn't get into it your
self, Tom," interposed Mrs. Ludlow.
Ludlow smiled grimly. "You think
I wouldn't cut much of a figure rs
fire eater, don't you? Well, now, you
Just wait and see. When the time
comes I'll not 60 out of my way to pick
a quarrel or to avoid one; but if those
fellows interfere with the work they'll
have to stand from under. And they'll
find that they haven't whole-soulcd,
irascible, generous southerner to deal
with, either"
1t was during the summer of Ring
brands visit to Tregarthen that the
question of resuming work in the aban-
doned tunnel came up again. jeff
Bynum heard the news in the store in
the village, and he told his brother Jed
when they were driving back to the
cove in the evening.
"Does you-all aim to low hit?" asked
the younger Bynum.
Not much!-they-all done beat us
out O. the coal mine, but it amt gwine
do them no good"
What dye low for to do, jeff"
"Nev' you mind; you-all jest wait an
see. Ye can he plum shore O one thing,
though; they-all amt new gwine take
no coal out O. that vein."
Don't We reckon OIL Latimer's put
EN- up to do hit?"
II dunno an don't keer; but jest
tell We that thar crowd up on the noun
ting's gwine to let on like they heard
somethin' drap; we-all We KEEP quiet
for a pretty tolable spell, now, an I
reckon Latimer lows we done forgot"
II reckon julie wouldn't let nobody
forgit; she does hate the Latimers
ch In,
was big enough to reflect when daddy
was killed" Jed Bynum was the
youngest of the three brothers, and he
had never quite shared the bitter ami
mostly of the others.
II can reflect on my own account,
reckon" rcjoined JEFF, sullenly, a dull
flush reddening his sallow cheeks. II
amt likely to forgit the day when Lat
inner put the cowhide on to me, an I
low he remembers bout the broken
arm, too. new could tell what made
my ham shake that thar time. Ididn't
aim to break his arm"
II s'pect hits sort O. lucky We didn't
aim no BETTER" replied Jed. Thar was
heap O. talk about gettin' ye for what
We did do"
The talk was interrupted by their
arrival at the farmhouse in the cove,
but it was resumed again at the supper
table when julie and Bud were told of
the threatened resumption of work in
the McNabb tunnel.
THAT'S some more O. Latimer's do
ms, We can jest chalk that up on the
dol" exclaimed the woman, vindictive-
ly: "Thar'll new be no peace for we
all S long as thar's airy one of 'em left!"
"Thar's like to be one more of 'em
fore they's any less, reckon" said
jeff, making harpoon of his fork and
spearing another corn pone from the
dish on the other side of the table.
"How dye make that out?" inquired
Bud.
II done saw young Teller a-ridin'
round with the colonel this evenin',
an when asked Jim Dobles bout him
he said he was mighty thick with the
Latimers-lowed maybe he's a-shinin'
up to the gal"
II didn't see him." said Jed. "What
for kind O. lookin' Teller was hep"
sort O. biggity-lookin'; like he
mought We jest got out of ban'-box;
has middlin' heavy musstache, an
wears his beard whitfield down to a
pint. That's about all notice, 'ceptin'
that he looks at we mighty hard, sort O.
like a catfish. Seem like l done met up
with him somewhars afore, but cayn't
reflect when r whar."
''City Teller, reckon" said Jed, with
contempt in his tone.
"Oh, sure; don't believe he ever dds
lick O. work in his life; don't look as If
he ever did, nohow."
II don't see what gal like Hester
Latimer lows to find III Teller o. that
Sort" said Jed, passing his cup for more
coffee.
"What do you-all know bout Hester
Latimer's likes an dislikes?" demand
ed his sister, pausing with the cup and
coffee-pot suspended.
"A good deal less N ncthin', I s'pose;
but I've got eyes, an reckon can use
'em same's anybody"
"Well, don't ye go an forgit that they
amt no sleeps eyes," retorted julie, an
grily. "You amt got no call to he th'ow'
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