The Portland daily press., 1899-09-25
"Pig-pig-pig-oo-ehl"
By Charles Sloan Reid.


There was low rail fence across the
: head of the ravine fewsards from the
mountain highway, and against this
fence Nance was leaning. A great mass
of flowing brown hair reached far down
below her waist, about which her home
spun frock was tucked into large roll,
thus shortening her skirts, in order that
she might move about more freely. Up
to the right Of the ravine was little log
cabin, where she lived.
II was late in the afternoon, and as
Nance called the hogs a great crowd OF
them came galloping up the hill to scram-
Bile over the apronful of vegetables
which Nance threw over the fence. From
far down the ravine came the roar OF
the Tuckasiege river as the waters tum-
bled over the ragged powders that mark
ed its bed. With her elbows on the
fence and her chin resting in her hands,
Nance fingered to listen to the roar of
the water while she dreamed. Small clouds
were gathering in the sky all around,
and the young girls eye watched them
slowly change from one shape to another.
forming TO her mind the outlines of yari-
GUS animals and birds.
While Nance was thus lost in her
dreaming and picture making she sud-
denly felt an arm placed around her.
Whirling around, she found herself in the
embrace of tall young mountaineer. who
held her firmly about the waist and was
looking world of tenderness down into
her eyes.
oh, Zeb. how you scared mel Turn
me loose this minutei" cried Nance.
struggling to free herself. At the same
time two bright tears came into her
eyes.
Won't you kiss me, NanceY' asked
the young man eagerly.
mo, won't. You didn't have any
business to scare me, that's what you
didn't"
Zeb released her and stood back. For
moment neither of them spoke Nance
again stood holding the top rail of the
fence and was gazing away down the
ravine. Zeb stood a few feet away, with
his eyes turned toward the ground. At
last he spoke.
Nance, Pm powerful sorry scared
you"
The girl did not reply. There was an.
other long pause, after which Zeb spoke
again.
did big days work yesterday and
another one today. Nance. Put 40 logs
into the river, nearly all big ones"
He waited moment, during which he
cautiously raised his eyes to level with
the back of Nance's head.
NJ got that strip of land paid for
last Saturday, and-nnd I've got enough
left to build house on it, Nance"
Still no reply.
Wages are better than they have
been" he went on, "and thought we
might as well get married now. That's
what I've come to see about, Nance.
think we've waited about long enough"
Silence still. Zeb sat down on an old
stump near by and waited a long while.
Finally he rose again and gazed up at
the sky all around.
From the looks of the sky the riverll
be high enough to float logs In the morn
ing" he said. thrusting his hands down
into the pockets of his pantaloons and
striving hard to clear a strange huskiness
from his voice.
They're putting in machinery down
Mt Dillsboro to start up a locust pin fac
tory, Nance. Reckon l could get a good
many locust blocks off Of that piece of
land I've bought"
Again Zeb's vision wandered toward
Nance, but she stood still motionless by
the fence, her long hair waving gently in
the slight breeze that was stirring. And
the longer Zeb gazed upon the woman
he loved the fuller grew his bosom, until
he could no longer withstand the press
ure, and his words were almost in the
tone of wall as he sank back upon the
old stump.
"Oh, Nance, amt you ever a-goin to
say anythingp
Nance continued as immovable as be-
fore. At last Zeb replaced his big hat up
on his head and arose.
Il know what's the matter, Nance,r he
said. II can see it all now. Pole Dor
sey's been a-comin to see you of late, and
-yes-I can see it now. Nance. You
don't love me any more"
Zeb paused to steady his voice, which
had grown q little husky.
Nance" he continued, "I'd aided for
you any time. and l thought you would
have loved me right on, Nance-right on
But how'll can't say any more. Good
by, Nancer'
He turned and walked toward the road,
but he had gone only few steps when
he turned and came back again, going
close up to Nance, where he stopped
moment Then he spoke. -
Before go, Nance, won't you tell me.
fair and square, Is it me or Pole"
There was no answer.
Never mind, then. / know that you
just hate TO tell me that you don't love
me any more, and / won't make you.
Once more, Nance, goodbye
He stealthily lifted wisp of her long
hair and fervently pressed it to his lips,
then walked rapidly away. Nance heard
the sound Of his footsteps growing faint
er and fainter as he assembled the hard
roadbed which turned over the hill just
above the cabin. Finally she looked
around. Zeb was just disappearing be-
yond the turn in the road. and to Nance
1t suddenly occurred that he might never
return. A scared look came into her eyes.
and for moment she stood undecided
what to do. Then she sprang away from
the fence and ran up the road, hundred
fears taking possession Of her bosom. But
zeb was gone. "oh, why did he go?
why did he not wait Just moment lon
EerY' She quickened her pace and when