The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-03-21

whup no battles, an it looks like we
unS war right"
81 did start to jine the war;"
EbcneZcr stammcrctl. "but how could
| git to go any fuducr when | done
got kotchcd under them derncd ta-
tcrs:"
did YOU low the war had done
rctchcd clean to Hicks cellar Pap
Sampson asked. IAN war YOU down
thar lookin round mong them tatcrs
for Il battle to whup:"
EbcncZrr grinnctl, but made no reply.
His wife, however, who had come up
just in time to hear Pap's question,
said:
Il reckon, Pap Sampson. YOU oil
thinks YOU unS is powerful smart. NY
land, didn't none OF YOU uns never
start nowhar an git lost on the way?
1Iumph! Like as if Ebenczer couldn't
"a fell into that cellar or gtr sort Of
ratified an run into 1t by mistake.
Reckon the next thing you all ill be
tryin to make out that EbcncZcr are IL
coward"
'I.ord, Mis'uS Sparks, we don't need
Sampson replied promptly. "Ebcnc-
Zcr has done made that all out as plain
as the nose on your face hissclf. Yes,
Stree"
"t;uc#S EbcncZcr an Sim Banks has
done showed jest how brave they are"
Jason Roberts observed, with Il laugh.
"Onc OF 'rm a-hidin in Il cellar an the
othcrn tearin down the road lippcty.
clippcty, IN all on account OF a drove
Of old COWS. Say, bet the ward soon
be fl, If they uns had a whacll at It,"
Lord. Wouldn't it. thought" Pap
said. with Il chuckic. "Why, it'd Jest
be whipped all to fraZZles in no time"
Then everybody aughed--evcrybody
except Sparks and Banks and their
wives. The two first hung their heads
in shame, Mrs. Sparks briStled up In
her husbands defense, while Mrs.
Banks gave her husband q look full of
disgust and coolly turned her back on
him.
Mrs. Mann noticed the conduct Of
Mrs. Banks and promptly called atten.
tion to 1t by saying:
Lord, Louccsy. YOU amt nigh so
quick to stand up for your husband as
Betty Sparks IS for hcr'n. You acts for
all the world Jest like You Is plumb
ashamed OF Sim"
81 am," Mrs. Banks replied fatty.
"Who could help being ashamed OF a
coward, I'd like to know?"
Sim looked up at his wife, n panied
expression in his eyes and his face very
red.
"Loucesy," he gaspcd, "you dnst to
talk that away about me an we uns
Jest been married ycarY'
II dare to speak the truth" Mrs.
Banks replied cuttlngly, her lips curl.
ing with scorn. "I'm plumb ashamed
Of YOU"
Then you don't love me none," Sim
whlmpercd broken hcartcdly. "a wife
what loves her old man amt goin to
run him down aforc other folks. Lou.
eesy, you don't love me; you don't love
me"
Mrs Banks, instead Of being touched,
gave her husband one scornful glance
and turned and walked away.
with her utter want Of tact Mrs.
Mann said:
II guess. Sim Banks, Loucesy's been
a-contrastin you with that Mr.. Melvin,
an | reckon she thinks you amt much
shakes compared with him."
Sims eyes flashed fire in an instant,
ana. trembling with anger, he cried:
"1ou are a-lyin, Mrs. Mann, when
you say any sich n thing as that, an II
you was n man I'd whup you till your
hide wouldn't hold shucks. Haint no.
body got no call to speak nary word
agin Louccsy, an I ain't goin to stand !
still an let no slch a word be spoke. |
That's jest what I got to say, m I |
mean it,
Mrs. Mann shifted contemptuously.
"Sim Banks" she said, "you kin lest |
stand up for Loueesy all you plcases.
but mind she didn't stand up for YOU
none, an my notion Is she haIn't goIn
to stand up for you, no matter what
anybody says. I've got eyes, I'm what
see see. Loucesy was plumb struck
with that man. an you mark my words,
Sim Banks, If She ever gifts to know
him she'll learn NO love his little finger
better than slelll ever love your whole
body. You jeseAbear them words in
mind, Sim Banks, an IL you live you
Will find that they are the goapel truth"