The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-30

the machine, but could only get him
to 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.
At night he could wind up his little
photograph, and music and song and
oratory and laughter filled the shack
through the medium of the tin horn
There was one record that he used
more than any other and swathed more
tenderiy in its protecting cotton, and
as time went on there were evenings
when this particular record was the
only one that he used. 1t started off
with storm of handclapping. Then
the music of a single violin in a pre-
lude, and woman's voice, strong and
sweet and clear sang:
Round my Indiana homestead wave
the cornfields,
In the distance loom the woodlands
clear and cool:
Oftentimes my thoughts revert 10
scenes of childhood
Where l first received my lessons
natures school,"
Hank tried to imagine what she
would look like, and presently identi-
ned her with a colored Autograph of
a girl feeding chickens, that had come
to him with months supply of plug
tobacco-a blue-eyed. haxen- haired
maiden with round, white arms and
a preternaturally graceful form. And
so the singer grew very real to him,
and he thought about her as he watch
ed his flock and ever the refrain of the
song rang in his ears:
THE moon shines bright tonight upon
the Wabash.
From the fields there comes the
scent of new mown hay,
Through the sycamores the candle
light is cleaning
On the banks of the Wabash, far
away"
We'll, you don't seem to have suf-
fered none" said Bill Williams, when
he drove up to the camp two months
later. Fat and happy, by links And
l wuz expectin' to need Jesus here to
haul you back into Ell 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. l
may be all right. but amt goin' to
take no chances until after I've taken
in the town fer awhile"
So the Mexican took hold and Hank
went back to Ell Paso with his phono-
graph and drew his wages.
The second night of his relaxation he
and his friend William were attracted
by the light and the show bills at the
door of the Theater. They went in.
1t was about the usual programe-
juggling, dancing, singing, dialouge-
all the rest of it, and the two men en-
joyed it with the abandon of children.
But suddenly Bill was aware that Hank
&c, h.,
nary interest on a girl who had just
come on the stage-a blue-eyed and ex-
tremely golden-haired young woman
He nudged his friend and received in
return a jolt in the side from Hanks
elbow that for the moment robbed him
of breath; for a violin was playing the
prelude to 1.-THE Banks of the Wab-
BASH" and the next moment the girl
sang in a clear, sweet voice.
Round my Indiana homestead wave
the cornfields,
In the distance loom the woodland
clear and cool;
Oftentimes my thoughts revert to
scenes of childhood,
Where / first received my lesson-na-
lures school.
1t was the voice of the photograph.
Where you going?" asked William.
I'm goin' ter see that gall said
Hank, determinedly. You kin wait
or not jest as you darn please" He
worked his way with some difficulty
behind and presently was confronted
with Miss Mae St. Clair.
"Well?" said the singer. not I'M
kindly, for Hank was a well-looking
man and he showed something of the
trepidation he felt. though he had been
bluff and peremptory enough with the
men who had barred his way. You
want me?"
That's what" replied Hank. SIM
ply.
what is it?"
II Jest told you. want you. Take
a good look at me, an see eff you
think I'll do. I'm a stranger to you,
but you hain't ter me. You've ben
with me in my shack. singin' ter me
for two months stiddy. I'd like the
best kind ter have you with me fer all
Their rest of the time there is"
Miss St. Clair looked at him for a
moment in amazement and then burst
into a fit of laughter. You must be
crazy" she said.
NO" said Hank, II hain't crazy,
nuther. You saved me from that. I'll
tell you" And he told her, with a
rude eloquence that moved her strange
ly. Il knowed when l seen you an
heard you tonight that wuzn't mis-
TAKEN" he concluded. 81 knowed that
Their breath of Their new-mown
hay come to you right there,
an you seen the moon shin
in on Their ripples in Their water an
hankered after Their oil homestead. You
hain't satisfied ter paint up your face
this-a-way an sing ter a mob of whis-
ky-soaking loafers-are your"
The color came where the rouge was
not and she did not laugh now.
Mo-" she half stammered.
"Well, then, come with me an I'll
make home fer you, an eff it hain't
a happy one 1t won't be my fault
You don't know anything about me-"
she said. quickly.
Nor you don't know erbout me-"
But l know" she said smiling. For
a moment or two they looked at one
another very earnestly. Then Hank
put out his hand and she put here with
in it.
That is how IL happened that Miss
Mae st. Clair--who is called Polly by
her admiring husband-left the pro
fession" almost at the outset of a
promising career.