The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-07

you amt ntten 10 marry.
But why amt 1 fitten?" he pleaded.
t'I can lick any man round here. an
YOU said yourself only yes'day that I
was harnsome an. mighty good-na-
tered"
An barefoot" she broke in scorn-
fully "Sakes alive Hamp Paddleford.
YOU amt s'posin' I'd marry a man
who's got nothin' in the wide world
but a runt pig his pap was too lazy to
keer for? 1 amt that Urinary, hope"
and she drew herself up to her full
hight with flushed cheeks and flash
ing eyes. "Mebbe you're fifteen the
way Coon Flatters generally are"
with a proud. comprehensive sweep of
her hand toward the earth floor of the
cabin My pap brought mann bere,
an she's been here ever since, with
not so much as a new shovelful of mud
put on the chimbly that was only fin
ished half way up. An pap was jest
as harnsome an good-natured. an
an no count as you are, Hamp.
'Tain't cause I'm not usen to such
things" slowly and with the blaze go
ing from her eyes; its the Coon Flat
way. But faint goin' into my mar
ryin'. | do like you. Hamp. an l amt
'shamed to tell you so: but my mans
got to have a ca bin with a floor to 1t,
an COW an hens, an shoes for meet
in days"
'In get al lof 'em, Posey. every
cussed one" he urged eagerly; you
know"
Eyes, l know mann says pap was
goin' to make her a plank floor but
he never did. Now there's Tyke-"
His humility vanished instantly.
"Doggone TylSel'' he snapped. He's
got a cabin with a floor. l know: an
he's a COW an hens. an is dickerin'
for a mule: but he amt got nerve to
fight a possum. An he's bow-legged
an squints an ant more'n five feet
high. If gal like you is willin' to
stand up 'longside of Tyke, then I
amt in the hunt"
She looked at him p1acidly.
Il amt sayin' but you're the better
favored Hamp," she commented; but
you're twenty-five years old. an amt
never owned a pair of shoes for meet
in' yet. Tyke was here yes'day an
lowed to sheer all he'd got, an he's
a still in the mountain thatn bring a
plenty right along"
AN what did you say?" sullenly.
Posey laughed a little, then her face
grew sober.
WELL I run him from the cabin fust
off" she confessed: "but he wouldn't
take that answer, and sneaked back to
the door and begged me to think it
over. He said he'd come ag'in to-mor-
rer." She was silent for & few mo-
ments, then threw her head back de-
family. looking squarely into his eyes.
San I have thunk it over, Hamp Pad
dleford, an made up my mind for good
an all that I won't end my DAYS on
no mud floor. That's all the answer
I've got"
She looked superb as she stood there
in the doorway. and Hamp caught his
breath in a half-sob of longing and
despair; then he turned and slouched
down the path.
Opposite his own cabin he paused
hesitatingly. His mother was seated in
the doorway, pipe in mouth, ready for
a talk. She had seen him with Posey.
So. he slouched on to the next cabin,
to where his particular friend lay
SPRAYED at full length upon the leaves.
Done seen ye," the friend drawled
Significantly; went up the path full
swing, an come back with head droop-
in Hope the brook amt runnin' over
no rock nor nothin'.''
Hamp grunted and threw himself
upon the leaves.
THAT Urinary Tyke was hangin'
round thar right smart yes'day," the
friend continued refectively. Course
they's nothin' to it; but gals"
He's lottin' to marry her, SAM"
Hamp said listlessly.
What" and Sam raised himself on
elbow and looked at his friend queer
ly. "Tyke carryin' off your gal, an
you lynn here a-dreamin'. Why don't
we shoot him?"
whats the use?" mournfully.
"'Twould only. put me furder away
from Posey. You don't understan'
her. Sam. She's say I was too big
to jump on a little sawed-off thing like
Tyke-an' she'd be right. Not but
what I'd like to shoot him, though"
vehemently; 'jest like would a skunk
or snake. It's all he's fit for, to be
shot. But l can't resk hard feelin's
with Posey."
Sam dropped back disgustedly.
Gals are cert'ny queer" he grum-
bled. I'm glad I've never got in with
one of EN- The idea of a harnsome
critter like Posey sidlin' up to Tyke
when a man like you was maxim eyes
at her."
"Oh, faint the man, Sam. Posey
likes me well enough; but 1 amt no
plank floor. nor even cabin; an Tyke
has both, an other things. I've never
thought much about floors bein' need
ed to prance round on; but when
Posey spoke like they was, knew she
was right. If Poseyd say everybody
ought to wear coats even when twas
hot, like preachers do an that we
should have shoes for every day in
the week, an l was lookin' in them
eyes of hers when she said 1t, I'd
know she was right. Posey amt like
no other Coon Flat girl that ever
growed. Why, SAM" earnestly, "if
one of them little birds should drop
twenty-five whole dollars right down
here on the leaves, I'b be willin' to
cf,a Of Int
plank floor for Posey to walk on"
Sam gave a long, low whistle, and,
dropping his head back upon his
hands, gazed thoughtfully at the bits
of blue through the interstices of foli-
age. Ten, fifteen minutes; then he
suddenly returned to his position on
one elbow.
You must get Posey the floor
Hamp," he declared.
Hamp merely murmured something
about getting his granny.
But you must" Sam insisted, rising
TO his feet in his earnestness. why,
man. you're the one who ought to be
shot, not Tyke. / amt no gal man,
no cussed little floor could come
atween us. She should have floors till
she couldn't rest, if l had to bark my
knookies an keep my gun barrel red
hot to git EN-"
"fyke's comm to-morrer." Hamp
muttered, rising dejectedly to his feet.
Right to-morrer: an from the way
Posey spoke there amt to be no II