Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1901-10-24

Hank had never seen or heard OF
anything like this before, and his de.
llght aud gratitude knew no bounds.
lie wanted to pay his benefactor Cor
the machine, but could only pet him
10 accept tanned wildcat skin. Then
this angel entertained unawares got
into his blackboard and his team rap
idly carried him out OF sight.
But Hanks case was different now.
NJ night he could wind up his little
monograph, and music and song and
oratory and laughter filed his shack
through the medium Of the tin horn.
There was one record that he used
more thanany other and swathed more
tehderly in its protecting cotton, and
as time went on there were evenings
when this particular record vas the
only one that he used. II started of
with a storm Of handclapping. Then
the music ola single violin in prelude.
and womans voice, strong and sweet
and clear, sang:
Round my Indiana homestead wave tho
coruheld
In the distance loom the woodlands clear
and cool.
Oftentlmes my thoughts revert 10 scenes
90 childhood
Whore / nrst received my lcssons-ua-
lures school
Hank tried 20 imagine what she
would look like, and presently identi-
fled her with a colored lithograph Of a
girl feeding chickens. that had come
go him with a months supply OF plug
tobacco.-a biue-eyed, haxcn-haired
maiden with round, white arms and
a pretcruaturally grace iul form. And
10 the singer grew very real TO him.
and he thought about her as he watched
his flock and ever the refrain Of the
song rang in his ears.
Tho moon shines bright tonight upon the
wabash.
From tho neids there comes the scent OF
new mown hay.
Through the sycauores the candle lights
On the banks OF the wabash. FAR away"
well, you don't seem TO have SUI.
Tered none" said Bill Williams, when
he drove up 10 the camp two months
later Fat and happy by links. And
~us cKPectin' TO need Jesus here 20
haul you back into FL Paso. Reckon
you don't need no relief"
IL sure do" said Hank. Jesus kin
tumble out an take hold, an I'll pack
my warsack an go back with you. 1
may be all right. but amt goin' 10
take no chances until after I've taken
in the town fer awhile"
So the Mexican took hold" and
Hank went back 90 RI Paso with his
phsnograph and drew his wages
The second night Of his relaxation
be and his friend William were at
tracted by the lights and the show bills
at the door Of a theater. They went In.
II was about the usual programme
Juggling. dancing. singing. dialogue
all the rest 81 H. and the two men en-
ioyed IL with the abandon OF children.
But suddenly BIZ was aware that Hank
was gazing with far more than ordi-
nary interest on girl who had just
come on the stage a blue-eyed and
extremely golden-haIrcd young WON
an. lie nudgcd his friend and received
Ia return jolt in the side from Hanks
elbow that for the moment robbed him
Of breath; for violin was playing the
prelude 20 The Ranks Of the Wabash"
aud the mex, moment the girl sang in
a clear. sweet voice.
Round my Indiana homestead wave the
cornncld.
In the distance loom the woodland clear
and cool,
Ofteuiimss my thoughts revert 70 scenes
% childhood.
where I nrst received my lesaons-nA-
lures school
II was che voice Of the phonogrsph.
where you going2" asked William.
The show amt over yet. Sit down"
I'm goin' ter see that gal" said
Hank. determinedly. "You kin wait or
not jest az you darn please" He
worked his way with some difficulty
behind and presently was confronted
with Miss Mae ST. Clair.
"well2" said the singer. not unkind-
". for Hank was well-looking man
and he showed something Of the trepi-
dalton he felt, though he had been
bluf and peremptory enough with the
men who had barred his way. You
want me?"
That's what" replied Hank, simply
what is it?"
81 jest told you. | want you. Take
a good look at me. an see e. you think
I'll do. I'm stranger to you, but you
hain't ter me. You've ben with me
IN my shack, singin' ter me for two
months stiddy. Ia like the best kind
ter have you with me fer all ther rest
OF the time there Is"
Miss 81. Clair looked at him for n mo-
ment in amazement and then burst in
TO AZ Of laughter. you must be
crazy" she said.
mo" said Hank. 81 hain't crazy,
nuther You saved me from that. I'll
tell you" And he told her, with a rude
eloquence that moved her strangely
81 knowed when ! seen you an heard
YOU to-nigh; that | wuzn't mistaken"
he concluded. 81 knowed that Their
breath OF Their new-mown hay come
10 YOU right there, an you seen the
moon shinin' on ther ripples in ther
water an hankered after ther OF home
stead You hain't satisfied ter paint