Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-04-24

lives Of the citizens Of Possum Ridge,
and when anything strange or out Of
| the common did happen they liked to
make the most Of it and enjoy it to the
fullest possible extent.
Then, too. In this instance. they scent
ed something in the way Of scandal.
and that made them all the more eager
listeners. Unsophisticated and simple
as they were. they possessed that insa-
table curiosity and that morbid love of
the unsavory which are not altogether
things apart from the lives Of many of
the more cultured.
Sam Morgan. finding himself the cen
ter Of an eager group who waited with
open mouths for him to speak. felt his
Importance. and it was excusable In
him that he remained silent for little
while to enjoy the situation. 1t was
not every day he could occupy a posi-
tion like that, and it was very natural
that he should desire to make the most
Of 1t.
But glorying in triumph, even such
a triumph rs that, cannot last forever.
So finally Sam condescended to speak.
"Pd been out a-huntin," he began
IAN, comm long up across Sim Banks
timber land, l felt sorter tired an
lowed I mought's well set down an
rest bit. So turned out Of the path
an went few steps out to that big tree
what Pap Sampson told us he shot six
squirrels out of at one time when be
was a young feller. You all mind bout
that tree, reckon"
They all nodded assent. Then Pap
Sampson spoke.
1T was seven squirrels, Sam, 'stid Of
six"
"You said six last time you told bout
It," Sam replied. 81 mind that most
distinctly"
IAN five time before that" Jason
Roberts added. lord, reckon it'll be
eight next time Pap tells that story"
"Waal, don't squirrels naturally null
tiply an increase?" Pap asked.
"Not dead uns don't" Jason replied.
"Waal. thar was seven squirrels II
thar was one-I mind counted 'em
both before | killed 'em afterward-
seven squirrels settin long on limb
all i'm a row, with all their heads turn
ed the same way. drawed up my old
rifle an tuck aim at the head Of the
nighdest to me an banged away. I'M
agine my surprise when all seven OF
them squirrels come a-tumblin out of
that tree an fell in pile on the ground,
that bullet havin gone clean through
ever one Of their heads"
"An then gone ON an killed wild
turkey over in another tree" Jason
added.
WAL, yes, that's allus been my
opinion" Pap admitted, "but thar was
another feller shot his gun off mt the
same time. an he lowed he killed the
turkey. But. as you was a-sayin, Sam,
you tuck Il few steps out to that tree
"An sot down behind 1t in the shade"
| Sam resumed. I'D been a-Settin thar
bout ten minutes. | guess-don't low
| it could n been mOre'n 10 minutes an
|
git sleepy an doZe off like when all to
| oncet heard voices a-talkin. | peeped
round the tree kinder cautiouslike, an
then see that Mr.. Melvin an woman
i amt mcntionin no namcs-a-stand-
in thar a-talkin. pow'ful Interested. him
a-holdin both of her hans in his'n."
What was they a-sayin" Hicks
asked eagerly.
"WaaI. they talked kinder low most
Of the time" Sam replied. 80 |
couldn't lear much they said. but what
| did hear was moughty int'restin, !
can tel! YOU"
What was it?" Hicks asked. and the
others all leaned forward in breathless
eagerness to listen for the reply.
"Waal. in the first place" Sam said.
IL heard Melvin say, 1t may be wrong.
but | don't b'lieve it Is; but, right or
wrong. love YOU"
Lord" Jason exclaimed. "He was