Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-06-08


an answer 'em. But. say, air you amin
TO help me or not2"
Melvin had thought of the time when
lac had met Hi Jenkins and sought
little aid from him and of the treat
ment he had received. and IL had oc-
CURED TO him that now would be a
good time to retallate. SO with cool
nonchalance he replied:
1T makes no difference to me wheth-
er you get loose or not"
Jenkins looked surprised, but after a
moment he said:
1T don't, eh?"
Certainly it doesn't. 1 didn't mt
you in there. did II"
Course you didn't"
Then l guess I am not responsible
Tor you being there. am To-
NO. But what of thatf"
Nothing. only IL am not the cause
or your being there l can't see that You
have any reason to expect me to helm
you OUT"
Amt you got a grain of accommo-
dation bout you, not nary a little
speckY"
''oh, attend to my own business
jenkins was silent aud thoughtful
for a little while. Then he said. al
most humbly:
Look here, young Teller. know
, what you're a-,lrivin Mt. You're a.thInk
In of that time you cum acrost mo over
thar I'm the woods, an you're a,layln
out to git even with me for the way
done you that day. But it hain't fair.
Tor then l was a-settin thar waitin for
my chill to come on, an nobody amt
goin to stan 10 be peStered under them
circumstances. Hain't one man out of
a thousan' that wouldn't "a done YOU
wuss'n l did. You amt got no excuse
Tor cuttin up no capers with me, cause
you amt no ager workin on you, so
you ort to help me out"
well, l guess will this time. since
You put it that way. But how shall I
proceed? Shall cut you loosen"
An Spite my pants? Great Sam
Smith! Not much you won't"
How, then?"
Why, jest maui that wedge in thar
till you open up the crack enough to let
me loose. Lord, looks like you'd have
sense enough to know that much with
out beIn told
Melvin took up the wedge and stuck
it in the end OF the log. Then he took
the maui and began to pound II with
all his might. Slowly with each blow
the crack opened until finally the old
mau found himself released from his
humiliating and wearisome imprison-
ment.
The moment he was free he rose to
his feet and started toward home with
out speaking one word to Melvin or
even so much as grunting Thank
you" Melvin looked after him a mo-
ment In establishment. then called TO
him. saying:
Where are you going. Mr.. Jenkins?"
The old man glanced back In sur
prise as he answered:
why, home, OF course. Whar else
you reckon I'd be a-goinl"
"Well-but-you seem to be In a
great hurry, don't your"
mot special whyY
"Oh, l thought you must be by your
walking Off that way without a word"
Il amt got nothin that know OF to
stay here to talk about. Have your"
Nothing In particular, guess.
presume you think your family are I'M
easy about you and you want to get
home to relieve their anxietyg"
Reckon nobody amt much uneasy
bout me-"
Don't you suppose your folks are
searching for you?"
Not any to hurt. Ha!n't no folks
but the old woman, an she amt likely
to strike out an trapse round huntin
after me-"
"Why?"
"'Cause she lows I'm able to take
keer of myself. an she figgers that III
turn UP somewhar some time all right.
Then she amt able to bother after me
nohow."
a thought occurred to Melvin.
Perhaps that Mr.. Waite may come
out to look for YOU" he said. at be-
lieve he IS stopping at your houseY'
"Hain't no Mr.. Waite stoppin at my
house." OLD 81 replied.
THAT SOP
II wouldn't "a said it If it want
So"
''Alr. Turner said a man of that name
came over here today to secure board
with you
'Waal. ne did come"
and didn't stoDT
HE amt stopped yit."
us he going to stopY
said he was"
"WhenT'
putty soon"
This week?''
"Mebhy-this week or next"
Where is he nowy'
Went on down, the country some
whar. Coin to stop when he gifts
back"
Melvin drew a sigh OF relief and, re-
mounting his horse, rode back to Tur-
ner's. He decided that there was no
immediate need for him to take his de-
parture from the Ridge, so he would re-
main on a few more days. II would
have been better, far better, however,
for both himself and others If he had
gone then.
CHAPTER XIV.