The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-10-05
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
A White
Mans
Choice
By Martha
M'Culloch-
Williams
Copyright, 1901, bg Martha
McCUllOch- Williams



In the mind of Brush Creek Jimmy
had but two redeeming qualities One
was being his fathers son, the other
that he had wit enough to love his ia
TIERS ward. Cressy Oliphant
Upon summer morning Cressy
called to him over her shoulder: Jim
my, do come on! You are the slowest
old thing! And you know hate a man
or horse without lots of go"
4 They We're riding up hill. Cressy's
whiplash whlned accompaniment to
her words. Jimmy had a talent for
saying nothing, still as he came with
In easy hail he piped amiably, "Cress,
l been wonderin all this mornin if
I you won't never learn better'n to gal
lop a horse up Hill"
I've been wondering if you win ever
learn anything" Cressy retorted, slash
/ ing savagely at a near bush. Jimmy
/ opened his eyes. 'Whut's the matter
cross cat?" he asked. You come rid
! in with me-nobody didn't make you
an I've let you pick your own road an
90 your own gait
III you've tired of me, I'll so on by
myself" Cressy said irritably, half
wheeling her horse. Jimmy kept be-
side her. You needn't try to run
away frum me-" he said. Il been
KNOWN all the way you felt bad, an
l reckon l know whut about"
You don't What is it?' Cressy an
swered all In a breath. Jimmy laughed
TRANQUILITY. II fetched you letter yis-
tiddy evenin'-a letter frum Charley"
what business have you to know
that?" Cressy demanded. Hes com
in today. That's why l am runnin'
away"
EFF he posters you. I'll make him go
right back" Jimmy said promptly,
then his face fell "But it'll be sorter
awkward. Old Charles is all the own
cousin I've got. Pappy an nanny
think nigh as much of him as they do
of me-"
You ought to hate him. Why don't
your Cressy demanded. Jimmy stared.
Hate him." he repeated slowly. "Why
should l hate him? He can't help be-
in whut he is-smart an bright an
good lookin'-no more'n can help be-
in what / am"
"And whut is thatY Cressy asked
crisply Jimmy drew a deep breath
"a born fool" he said humbly. But
| got sense enough to know it. All
can do is to be a real white man, an
| 1t amt white to hate Char-anybody
better off"
~ n
made one" Greasy cried passionately.
AN you went stand up for yourself.
You won't even say you love me-yOu
drive me to tcli you | know it,
"You capt help but know it." Jimmy
| broke in. "YOu been KNOWN 1t ever
sence you were knee high / been fool
enough to think sometimes maybe you
might fetch yourself to take mean
the place.
81 do love-the place." Cressy inter
rupted, a smile dawning in her stormy
eyes. AN it has belonged to the Mar
ions ever senee the Indians went
away
II know" Jimmy said wistfully, "but
don't let that bother you, Cress. There's
Jest us two of the name-Charles an
me. You needn't never leaye-the
place-no matter whut happens"
Then persuasively, Lets us leave all
this talk until next year"
Charley is not so patient" Cressy
said swallowing hard. "He insists up
on definite answer today"
~ lay he don't get it-not until you
are good an ready" Jimmy said, With
a quick smile, patting her hand. Then
he ran on haltingly, "Cressy, love you
all / know how, but don't you let that
count if-if you love-anybody else"
They were nearing a roadside gate.
As Cressy went through it she said,
with her head very high: Go home,
Jimmy, an give Charley his answer.
Tell him | don't know-an' l don't
want to know"
As Jimmy went up the walk he saw
his mother at the sitting room win
dow, very white and moaning family.
He rushed inside. His father met him,
all his hale ruddiness changed to ashen
gray. Charley had come and sat at
Squire Marion's desk, his pen racing
| over a sheet Of legal cap. Without
looking up, he called; SADDLE me a
fresh horse, Jimmy. The best you've
agot. The minute this is signed l must
hide like the devil"
whats upT' Jimmy demanded. His
father clutched his shoulder, leaned
heavily upon it and gasped: "Son, son,
we're on the edge of ruin! Charley
found out early this mornin' that Gill
Magee had run away with all the coun-
ty money! And me on his bond for
$4,000! l trusted Gill like ny own
brother|
There there, Uncle JIM" Charley
interposed. walls have ears some
times, and we must not leave one loop
hole in this precious document. It's a
deed of gift, Jimmy. Uncle Jim makes
over to you eyerything-lan money,
stock and crops"
"Whut for?" Jimmy asked, his eyes
| wide Charley laughed shortly. For
l.