Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-10-17


By the end of the afternoon some light
crept out from sunset. and there was
a clearing up in the west. Lincoln
climbed the buryipg-ground fence, and
found Antywine lying asleep across the
new-made grave. He was so CHASTITY
that Lincoln at once shook him, feel
ing relieved when he opened his eyes.
The boy looked up at the mole like
a warm pulsing heart on his friends
cheek. But his friends eyes twinlaed.
What are you doing here on old
Daddy Cameron's grave, Antywine?"
Antywine sprang as from a rattle
snake. He was exhausted, so that Lin
coin gave him both hands to help him
rise.
Daddy Cameron died last week and
they buried him in the same row with
Shickshack. He was a fine old man.
but if l were you 1 wouldn't lie out
all night and all day on his gravel"
sally have tell me this is where she
ts bury!''
who? Peggy?"
AT the tavern"
"She is not dead?"
mot a biti"
but Sally have tell me-"
Haven't you summered and wintered
Sally long enough to know when she
is paying you grudge?"
But l run to the tavern myself"
And scare Ann, and run away again
without asking any questions. I've
had long jaunt through the mud and
searched the better part of day for
YOU"
Antywine threw his arms around
Lincoln and sobbed and laughed like
woman. He swayed, and could
scarcely stand.
you've made yourself sick being so
downhearted when you ought to have
kept your wits. That Lorimer fellow
is back at the Grove again, and he's
making a bold stand now. If he had
known l carry that snakeskin ]
reckon he would have followed our
chain. But Dick Yates is here. We
tried TO find you last night, and
couldn't"
'T tell Sally not believe herl"
shivered Antywine.
And then you leg It out here and
pass sentimental night and a watery
day on Daddy Cameron's grave! I'm
surprised at you'll"
The American way Of Joking over
what had Seen tragedy seemed
delicious to the Canadian boy as he
tramped back the long seven miles.
When he reached his house at the end
OF the village Lincoln did not think it
advisable to take him any farther.
Antywine was so Ill that he lay down
upon the floor, resisting any suggestion
Of food.
Through delirious eyes be saw the
blaze, which Lincoln contrived to start
In the chimney, interlace sticks piled
there months before in readiness for
first house-warming.
Lincoln was on his knees blowing
1t when he heard Sticky Green pant
through the door:
Are you here, Abe? You're wanted
ut the tavern
what's the matter at the tavera?"
The Grove boys are coming to
throw everything out of doors if you
don't give that Lorimer man the Span
lard Snd her money"
How do you know"
Martha Bell Clary slipped off on
her fathers horse and brought word"
Where's Dick?'
Hes looking somewhere else for
YOU"
Lincoln stood up and glanced at
Antywine, who had suffered, but was
unable TO fight, resting like log at
the hearth corner.
Poor Antywine!" he whispered; and
carefully shut the door as he went out
to settle the unconscious boys fate.
The self-appointed censors of the
Grove had once wrecked a store in New
Salem, and kicked the merchandise
about the street. The population OF
the village was about 100 souls, few
O whom could be mustered as fight
ing men; while the Grove males were
all fighting men.
The night was starlit and cloudless,
put there was no moon. Dull panes of
oiled paper revealed candles in some
houses, but a hush like expectation
seemed to stretch along the unseen
windlhgs Of the street. When the Grove
boys mounted for a raid of any sort
they usually rode at fun gallop, yelling
like Indians. Lincoln was ahead of
Sticky Green in the race to the tavern,
when both stopped. halted by a pro-
cessiOn with lanters. There had been
no noise Of shouting and no crash Of
destruction. The quiet approach of the
company seemed wsrrs than its ordi-
nary riSting.
"They didn't stop at the tavern!"
whispered Sticky Green.
They has sS--ssn TO the tavern, for Dick
Yates, bareheaded, was leading them
peaceably away from 1t, walking IN
front of the cavalcade; and a girls
figure could be discerned sitting upon
q led horse. The velvet dust of a
village road muffied the tread OF hoofs.
But along house fronts on each side,
where &ootpaths were marked by daily |
use, sounded the uneven patter OF |
many feet Men, women ana children
If New Salem, suffered to witness what |
hey could not prevent, were lowering
around Eincoln and the little Spaniard. |