The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-21

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with the other boys; but she coddled you
up jest like you was a gas.
Bethune blushed hotly, while Gabriel
and Cephas fairly yelled with laughter
and there was a little resentment In Ga
briefs mirth. But I don't see what
could possess Tolliver," Bethune insisted.
"Shucles, Frank you wouldn't know ef
he was TO write it down for you, an
Nan Dorrin' ton would know wi any
tellin' You amt a bit brighter about
sech matters than you was the day Nan
give you a thumpin',"
At this, Gabriel laughed again, for he
had been an eyewitness to the episode
to which Mr.. Sanders referred. boy
has his prejudices, as older persons have
theirs Bethune had always had the ap-
pearance of being too fond of himself;
when other boys Of his age were playing
end pranking, he would be primping, and
in the afternoon. before he went off to
the war, he would strut around town in
the uniform of a cadet, and seemed to
think himself better than any one else.
Climb in the wagon Gabe an Cephas
an tell us about ever thing an ever
body. The Yanks didn't take the town
off, did they?''
ne DoyS dCCtpltu TIE liNltdlloH WIN
out further pressing. and proceeded to
give their old friend all the informa-
ton he desired. Francis Bethune asked
no questions, and Gabriel was very. glad
of 1t. At bottom Bethune was a very
clever fellow, but the boys are apt to
make up their judgments from what is
merely superficial. Francis had very
handsome face. and he could have made
himself attractive to a youngster on the
ST. A. I. l,o1 ii, q
different line OF conduct and, as a result,
Gabriel had several scores against the
young Fan.
The most interesting piece Of news
that Gabriel had in his budget related
to the hanging of Mr.. Absalom Goodlett
by some Of Shermans men, when that
commander came marching through
Georgia. 1t seems that a negro had told
the men that Mr.. Goodlett knew where
the Clopton silver had been concealed,
and they took him in hand and tried to
brighten him into giving them informa-
ton which he did not possess. Threats
failing, they secured a rope and strung
him up to a tree. They strung him up
three times. and the third time they went
off and left him hanging; and but for
the promptness of the negro who was
the cause of the trouble. Mr.. Goodlett
would never have opened his eyes on the
affairs of this world again. The negro
cut him down in the nick of time,
and as soon as he recovered, he sent the
darkey with instructions to go after the
men and tell the men. and tell them
where they could find the plate, indicat-
ing an isolated spot. Whereupon Mr..
Goodlett took his gun and went to the
point indicated. The negro carried out
his Instructions to the letter. He found
the men. who had net gone far pointed
out the spot from a safe distance and
then waited to see what would happen.
If he saw anything unusual, he never
told of 1t; but the men were never seen
again. Some of their companions re-
turned to search for them, but the search
was a futile one.
You never Know" said Mr. Sanders,
in commenting on the story. what a
man viii do ontcll he gifts rank pisen
mad. or starvin' hongry, or in love"
What would you do Mr. Sanders. If
you were in love?" Gabriel asked inno-
Gently enough.
Maybe I'd do as Frank does" re-
piled Mr.. Sanders. smiling blandly; "shed
scaldin' tears one minnit. an bite my
finger-nails the next; maybe l would, but
don't believe it,
Now. I'll swear you ought not to tell
these boys such stuff as that" exclaimed
Francis Bethune angrily. Il don't know
about Cephas. but Tolliver doesn't like
mo any way"
How do you know?" Inquired Gabriel
Because you used to make faces at
me-" replied Bethune, half laughing.
why, so did Nan" Gabriel rejoned.
milne must have been terrible ones for
you to remember them SO we'll"
The reference to Nan struck Bethune,
and he began to gnaw at the end Of his
thumb, whereupon Mr.. Sanders smiled
broadly. The young man renected-a mo-
ment and then remarked. his race a tri-
fe redder than usuel: isn't the young
lady old enough for you to call her Miss
Dorringt n?'
"she is" replied Gabriel; .'but If she
permits me to call her Man, why should
any one else object?"
There was no answer to this, but pre-
sently Bethune turned to Gabriel and
said: why do you DISLIKE me, Toln-
ver?"
Honestly" said Gabriel, .T can give
you no reason; and I'm not sure that I
dislike YOU. l had an idea that you felt
yourself above me because my grand
mother is not as rich as the Clopton's."
The statement seemed to amaze Be-
thune.
We'll. 1 never thought that boy SO
young could have such thoughts" Be-
The wagon came just then to the brow
of the Hill that overlooked Shady Dale
and here Mr.. Sanders brought his team
to standstil. 1t had been many long
months since his eyes or Bethune's had
gazed on the familiar scene. "Ili tell
you what's the fact boys" he said,
drawing in a long breath---tne purtiest
place this side of Paradise lies right
yander before our eyes. Eff had some
un to give out the lines, ia cut loose and
sing hime Yes. sirs you'd see me
break out an howl jest like my old coon
dog. Louder. used to do when he struck
q hot track. We've fit an we've fout
an we've got knocked out" he went on,
AN now, here we are ready for to take
a fresh start. The Lore send that It's
the right start" He would have driven
on, but at that moment, shabby-look-
Ing vehicle drew up alongside the wagon.
Gabriel and Cephas knew at once that
the outfit belonged TO Mr.. Goodlett. His
team consisted Of a very