The age-herald., 1897-09-05
CHAPTER [.

tO Il uiIAJ Hb4Rilli tbtll tnSif toIIAgdttu brows recede into the gently swelling outlines that usually round out the mora sontherlY summits of the Chil- homes. 4 narrow road twisted sinuous- ly up the sides of the gorge to kind of basin followed out of the overhanging rocks, where, beneath a beetling crag, yawned the smitby, it's sides, roof and floor of natures own carving, while its front was partially boarded with slabs from the little sawnill at the mouth of Greasy creek. three miles above.
 A small cabin of split logs, clay daubed, and with a. stick chimney," also nestled near by amid truck patch of half an acre, that occupied all the available space within this yeritable "crow nest'' peering over the precipice, BOO feet above the. little ferry and gov ernment stillhouse- below. A faroff glimpse of the broad ridges and mead ows of the Tennessee valley could be seen below the gap, while above the distant mountains, seemingly tumbled one above another, bounded the view toward the east.
 A spring bubbled from a cleft in the mountain side, which here burst up- ward into the vast precipice that lower- ed over the blacksmith s home Under the hollies and oaks thereby was the smiths wife, 'batting" clothes upon block with a portion of the weeks wash sprinkling the bushes around her.
 Jim Cheek, her husband, huge, slow motioned, blue eyed giant, swung himself slowly up tho trail leading from the ferry. He paused to admire his wife's plump figure and brisk, supple movements Wonder had also mingled with his admiration ever since-two years ago-he had taken her from the great hotel at White Cliff Springs, where, though only a waitress, her airs and graces had impressed themselves upon his primitive imaginings as those of queen in dis9uise-a wonder that, with her fresh, dark beauty and viva cious manners, she could have seen any thing in him to love and cling to.
 He knew but little of her past, nor had their welded intimacy added much to his previous knowledge. except that she was from Nashville. that her par ents were both dead, and that she alone in the world--had drifted from one employment to another down to Chattanooga, thence Co the town of Athens, and from there to her summers berth at White Cliff The blessed sense of relief that comes to world tossed feminine waif, in the hope of realizing q home of her own, had rendered Jim's awkward movements, bovine wit and simple ways not only endurable, but at tractive to her. Thus it came about that in transfxing him with wonder at his own success she had come to share his humble lot with the same grace and vi- vacity that had fascinated him at the great hotel, whither the mountain folk were wont to resort ill ramshackle yehi- cles to dispose of their poultry, butter and eggs.
 How quickly she had adapted herself to the narrow, toilsome, isolated exist enee of the mountainsi ''She reely talks jest like we uns," thought Jim. "She makes like us in all her belongin's, and yet somehow she ain't nary a bit like us, alter all. wonder if hits only mako believe, jest ter please me and that thar young un?"
 That thar young un, :" the visible result of their union, was blue eyed, brown haired baby, scarce 13 months old, that now lay asleep upon it's blan- kets under holly bush, while it's mother sang to the resounding accompaniment of her paddle in a manner confrmative of Jim s reflections:
 'Some folks say the niggers won't steal,
 But lzetched seven in my eornieli
 Run, niggar, runi
 Patterol ketch you
 Run, nigger, runi
 Hit almos' dayl"
 "Durn me, how she can sing" said he to himself as he leaned across the top rail of the fence watching her. Glancing up from her work, she saw him there, and in her impulsive way dropped her paddle and was at his side ill moment.
 ''Now ye're at hit ag'in," said she, Eye great big mountain of laziness. We've jest got ter be punished right here"
 The nature of the punishment belied the severity of her words and consisted ill seizing his ears, pulling his big head down to level with her own and plant ing sounding smack upon Jims ele- phantine lips.
 ''Who wouldn't be a-loaferin in sech company" remarked the proud hus- band, smaoking his lips like boy over his candy. But I'm jest pestered about ye, Darthuly. Ye never take no time ter rest onctye git started ter work. Pears like ye wuz afeerd ter spell yerself D "Listen at this yer man," she replied playfully, yet with a serious droop of her large black eyes. "Ain't ye allays a-hammerin and a-blowin in that thar shop, and shouldn't I do my part as we'll? Reely, Jim, I'm a master sight better off ter be busy, and-there's a nan and horse right now at the shop door a-waitiu fer ye and here ye air a-ccurtin mo as ushel."
 Hits the new gauger as comed last night ter the stillhouse He wants d new shoe on his critters off fore foot. Don't ye hurt yourself worl1in, honey, jest bekase ye can''
 With this chronic injunction on his 1s~... |. A.. I T