The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-07-13
AN INCIDENT.
BY GEORGE WESTON TOWNSEND.

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sic was ter hav' $40. an me. bein' a
CURL an alone, ter hav' $50, an fer yer
to hay what was left. We've alters
kept it tight in under ther chimley
shelf, jest waitin' fer yer comm. fer
ma sed you'd be back some day. sure.
We used 81 onct. Was hard pushed,
warnt we. Dorsie?"
Dorsie nodded. but his keen eyes
were watching his father. The father
spoke, and It seemed an effort to
speak steadily.
1--WE gut nun fer me- Youse can keep
1t in thet Their chimley. don't want
it."
The girl was silent Perhaps she
cared less for the money. although 1t
was needed. than for one little word,
some little show of interest from this
man whom they welcomed home as
father. in her and her departed
mother. Surely he would ask some
questions about her last illness-how
they managed to live. and the priva-
tions they had gone through with.
Disappointment was plainly written
on her face as she arose from the
table, crossed the room and from a
shelf took down faded photograph.
She mechanically brushed it with her
apron and placed it before the man.
"She had tibet there taken nigh on
ter three years. ago. It's purity good,
only she looked alters more pleasant.
She was cheerful-and good. too."
NDorsie gave a furtive glance at his
sister and saw that her eyes were
swimming with tears. He never
could talk or bear to hear her talk OF
their mother. The father shuffled his
feet on the uneven floor. carelessly
glanced at the photograph. and say
ing he would take a look about,
slouched out at the open door.
When Dorsie returned some time
afterward, he found his sister at the
table, her head on her arms. crying as
il her heart would break. Dorsie felt
badly enough. but when it came to ex-
pressing himself. he simply could not
do it. so he started for the door. Then
he hesitated. turned and looked at the
forlorn figure and went silently over to
her, placing big brown hand on her
shoulder. He stood there until her
sobs subsidized, then he spoke.
"It's tough. sis. He's poor un. an
hope he won't stay here. ! can't
breathe when he's in Their same room
with u.s."
He stopped and looked around the
cabin undecidedly. He wanted to say
more to comfort her. but he'd said
considerable for him. He waited.
She lifted her wet face to his.
ooh, Dork. eft he'd only sed ies' one
leetle word bout ma-ies' . leetle
somethin' kind-it would seem easier.
But he's so hard. and he looks SO
orful." And she hid her face again
and sobbed aloud.
She must have dropped into weary
sleep, for an hour after she still sat
with her arms on the table. her head,
| with it's tangle of brown hair. resting
upon them. The shadows were deep
ening, and just as the moon was rising
above the sandy stretch that lay in
front of the doorway. a man stealthily
crept through the open door. crossed
| the creaking floor, and approached the
mantel shelf. A muttered oath. fol-
lowed by half stifled cry of exulta-
| ton, then something was knocked
| from the shelf and fell to the floor
| with a crash.
The girl jumped up quickly. just as
the moonlight flooded the dingy room.
| She was half afraid. then as she saw
| who the intruder was, and that he was
looking at the photograph of her de-
| parted mother. she forgot her sorrow.
Her father was forgiven. He left the
house soon after. and she stood at
the doorway. watching him go down
| the road with happy smile. Why
should she know that he was heading
for the nearest tavern. He had been
warned to keep away from this town,
but he had something now in his
ragged shirt that he knew well would
guard him against any serious deten-
ton, beside giving to him the amuse'
ment he craved.
When Dorsie came home he found
the girl troubled.
"Dork, tibet Their money behind thel
shelf has gone. Jes' mist 1t as was
a goin' ter count out dads part, He's
been here. an was asleep. an wher
I woke up he was 'stanin' by mas
pictur, alockin' at it. an guess be
felt purity bad, too"
| Dorsie's face grew dark.
(Which way d'he go. sis?"
Down Their road ter town."
Dorsie ripped out an oath. and went
through the doorway like an unbridlei
colt. He knew just where to go, and
when he burst into the crowd al
Mealey's place. where the toughes
element for miles around congregatet
every night. he saw his father sitting
at one side of the card table. steadily
dealing the pack; the uneasy ant
shifting manner was gone. Evidentl!
this was his element. He was per
fectly at home.
| Dorsie pushed his way into thu
crowd, elbowing the boys right ant
left until he reached the centre. ant
when the gambler glanced up from
tn game 1t was to look into . vel
aimed revolver and see behind 1t
| steady barrel the flashing eyes full o
hatred.
"Toss up tibet there cash. Their whu
eighty, and be quick. tool"
1t was tight box for the gambler
for anyone could see that Dorsie mean
business. All his life this man ha
.gambled, and it was no new thing 70
him to be in place where he mus
lose everything just because some on
had the upper hand. So it was with
smooth tone and with an expression
s~rooooo< that bo mot IN