The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-05-30


parture from Bcckett's Mill. Though
four years had passed since that time,
Sim had never returned, and the people
Of PoSSum Ridge were no wiser rs to
his whereabouts than they had been
the day he left. a large reward had
been offered for his arrest, and the OFF,
cials. stimulated by the hope Of earn
ing the money, had made strenuous cf-
forts to locate him. But it had been all
In vain. Now and then there had
come reports to Bcckctts Mill to tho
effect that Sim had been captured; but
rs IS usual with such reports, it always
turned out case Of mistaken identity.
Pap was wondering where Sim could
have gone to hide himself so complete
ly and whether he was still among the
living. He was wondering, too, wheth.
er II Sim still lived he would ever re-
turn to Pcss;inl Ridge and if he return
cd what would be his fate 1t was
with such thoughts US these the old
man was busy when he was suddenly
aroused and shocked by some one close
to Him saying quietly:
"Why, howdy, Pap Sampson?"
Pap started and looked quickly
around, and, his eyes falling on q
bearded, sun tanned face, his mouth
tell open and he stared in stupid
amaZement for almost minute Then
he rubbed his eyes and stared again.
Lord a-massy!' he exclaimed at
last. Am ] drcamin, or Is that rally
Sim Banks!"
ut Is rally Sim Banks, Pap" the
other replied; "whats left OF him any
way"
Zap was down Off the fence in the
twlnkling Of an eye, and the next mo-
ment he had Sim by the hand, shnk-
Ing 1t with a heartincss that was al
most painful.
Great land of Goshcnw he cried.
Who'd "a thought it? Lord a-massy!
It's shore old Sim, amt it,"
Il guess 1t Is. Pap. Are you sur
priscd to see me?"
Surprised to sec you! Why, Lord, I
wouldn't be 40 more surprised If the
Sky was to drop. But think of the
devil an he's shore to make his ap.
pearance, rs the old sayin goes"
Were you thinkin of mcY"
"Jest been a-Sttin thar on the fence
y
had come Of you an If 1 was ever
a-gwine to git to see you any more. l
was Jest a-gwine over them thoughts
when you moughty nigh skccrcd the
life out Of me by spcakin to me that
away. Land, don't hardly seem like
1t can be you, SIM"
Don't it?"
"Shorc 1t don't But whar you been
all these years?"
1--WE been to the war, Pap"
Great day In the mOrnin! You
aln't been fightin into the army, have
you"
Eyes, I've done some fghtin."
But you wasn't killed, bless the
Lord"
mot quite"
"He came next thing to 1t, though"
Sims companion volunteered.
'Is that SOP" Pap cried. "Waal, I'll
be smitched! You come moughty nigh
gittin killed?"
eyes, | had pretty close call once"
"Great land! Tell me all bout it,
won't you, Sim"
eyes, but first you must tell mo
somethin, Pap How Is Loueesy?
"Lord, ain't n great old fool, a-run-
MIN on here that away, never a-thlnk-
IN bout what you'd naturally be jest
a-dyin to know? Louecsy's WELL"
"Where Is she-up at the old placeW
'La, no: She amt lived thar sence
you went away. She's down at town."
"What Is she doin down thcreT"
"She's workin In n store to earn her
liyin."
Sim was surprised.
"To earn her livinW he repeated.
Pap nodded his head.
"What's become Of all the land left
herW Sim asked.
'Its thar jest as It was. She amt
never teched q foot Of it."
"WhyW
'Said 1t was your'n an she didn't de-
serve It," ..---.---