Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-07-20
CHAPTER XSv.
"ALL's WELL THAT ENDS WELL"

zap sampson was expecting the ar
rival OF Louisa. He had Immediately
after Sims return sent her word in
forming her of that fact. He had not
asked her to come and had made no
suggestion as 10 what she should do.
He simply told her that Sim had come
nome and was going TO give himself
up and left the rest to her.
He believed she would come. He
felt confident of IL, but he didn't know.
He said nothing to Sim OF what he
had done for fear of encouraging false
hopes. IL Louisa came. ii would be
all right, but IL she didn't Il would be
better for Sim to think she didn't
know.
So IL was that Pap Sampson was all
on edge with expectancy and doubt
and was in continual fdget. He was
so anxious for Louisa to come and so
afraid she wouldn't Then. too. if she
did come he wanted to be the first To
meet her.
or course Sims old ncighbors were
anxious 10 learn the history OF his
HE during the four years OF his alb
sence, and trey piled him with eager
questions until he was forced to tell
much more than he wished. His career
as soldier had been glorious In an
humble way, for he had fought at
the front in many hard contested bat
ties, and he had performed more than
one deed of uncommon valor. But
Sim was modest, and II was trying to
him to have - speak OF these things.
and even when he was driven to it he
passed them over as lightly as posi-
BILE.
Pap Sampson, however, was too
fond and proud OF Sln to allow .:.3
heroism to remain unknown. So. res.
withstanding his excited condition. La
took time % tell the full story of EoGf
Sim had saved Thompson by bra rl-,.'
rescuing him from the field OF b&.;e
IN rain OF shot and shell. Pap to,J
IL all as Thompson had told II, giving
Sim his full need OF credit. When he
had finished. there was long silence,
during which everybody sat with open
mouth, staring at Sim in establishment.
It was full minute before any one
spoke, and even then some one merely
exclaimed:
"Waal, I'll. Jest be doggonedr,
This broke the spell. and quickly
Sam Morgan added:
Don't that beat you? Who'd "a
ever thought of Sim Parks doin any
sich q way as thatY
Lord" some one exclaimed, ST bet
he was skeered, though. Want you,
SimT'
81 don't know" Sim replied YEARLY.
1 don't mind much bout It."
Pap Sampson brought his cane down
with thump.
"of co'se Sim want skeered," he
said. "A man that'll do like he done
amt a-gwine to git skeered at nothin.
Sim Banks skeered! Lord, you make
me plumb tired"
MY land, Pap. you're plumb right
bout that. a Teller fixed like Sim was
| thar don't have no time to think bout
gittin skeered. 1 know jest how 1t are,
cause I've been in lots of Jest sich
| scrapes myself. l mind 6oin putty
| nigh jest that same thing once on a
awful bloody battlefield, an want no
more skeered than am this minute"
WAS that the time you fit Hicks
taters down thar in the cellar, Ebene-
| zer?"
Ebenezer Sparks tossed his head
with an air of fine scorn.
Il reckon" he said, you think you're
pow'ful smart, allus draggn that old
cellar in ever time 1 dast to open my
mouth. But l guess you'll keep on
a-draggin 1t in till you've wore 1t
/ plumb out"
J Pap Sampson, who had been out on
the street, came hurriedly In and whis-
pered something to Sim. No one heard
what he said, but whatever 1t was it
had n magical effect, for Sim was
| transformed In an instant from a state
Of listless apathy to one of eager and
| excited interest. His face beamed, and
his eyes glistened. and he trembled
from head to foot. He sprang up and
started out, but Sam Morgan laid his
hand gently on his arm to detaiD him.
The next moment woman appeared