Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-09-12


to the barn. He would put up the
team and do the chores first. The
team was embarrassed and fed, all the
chores were done, but still he did not
20 to the house. He got a hammer
and mended the gate, he put another
round of rails on the pig pen, he
shucked corn for the morning feed,
and then he got the hammer again
and hammered awhile-a long while
at the barn door.
He turned to the house at last, walk
ing slowly, as one very weary. He
went into the sitting room, already
dark with the shadow Of the coming
night. His wife was busy with prep
arations for supper, and singing as
she worked. He fumbled around the
mantel until she called
George, what are you lookin' for:"
and started to bring the lamp.
"Nothin'," he answered hurriedly,
and went out through the kitchen
door and carried in an armful Of wood,
then took the bucket, already full of
water, threw it out and filed it again.
Then he dropped into chair by the
kitchen door and rested his chin in
his hands
whats the matter, George? Are
you sick?" asked his wife.
"Nothin'," was his reply. 'Mollie"
he said directly.
She set down her pan and came over
and stood by his chair.
"What, George?"
'This place amt ourn," he answered
slowly.
"Not ourn?"
"No. When went to prove up they
said my claim had never been put in,
and the land had been sold several
months. Guess the mans been waitin'
for me to get the crop nearly made
before he makes us git out"
Mollie went back to her work with
out word. She kept her face turned
from him as she busted herself with
the supper.
They both tried to eat, but failed
He left the table first, and went an(
sat down on the door step. She trie(
for time to clear tie table, but foun(
she was only carrying the dishes tt
the kitchen then back to the tabl'
again. She left them and went an(
sat down beside her husband. Neithe
spoke. The baby was asleep and tn
house was very still. She slipped he
his head dropped q little lower, but b
spoke no word.
The last light Of day had died Of
the tops of the Ozark's highest hills
The moonlight came. From the for
est crest Of the mountain to the Yves
it crept down until it touched the doc
step, and then fell upon the grove 0
wild plum trees that grew along th
branch OF the valley field. Now
lighted up the whole valley, and th
soft south wind of May brought th
perfume Of the growing corn. Sti
they sat in silence.
1t had been five years since the
came in the JOY of their simple hone.
moon to the little cabin George ha
bullt in the wild forest. It was Co
eminent land, and he thought he ha
homesteaded it. Five years OF har
est toll and care followed. Now the1
was an open field Of eighty acres,
yclng orchard barns and a neat, cor
portable cottage It was their HON
ana a good home they had made it, to
How plain you can smell the corn
Mollie said at last
Such good corn he said brokcnl
;;nd forty acres Of it,
George" she said quite calnl
we are young yet; we cleared tl
!arm and built this house; we can
1t again"
lie only shook his head. Her wor
brought no comfort to him. He W
,nlnklng of the five years Of ceasele
laoor' the best years Of his you
MANHOOD, which could never be !
called.
"eois5e, simple minded, good hea
eu had always been the best natur
rnu most harmless fellow in the wor
Durihs the days that followed he
~al!e GOrOSe and c1.a hbef TIc seem