The Washington times., 1905-04-30

right It's life. Its the one thlnS AZ |
which the good fellows stick and the :
siSulks kinder give out"
NOW here the boyish voice fall |
tered awkwardly, Il was raised on a |
rocky farm in my State and know only |
too well what ready money means when
you want to make a new move. I've a |
hundred on me. Pack up. / know !
man or two in Buffalo and Chicago
who'll see US through. Go with me on
a whackup. Is it a deaf?"
Slowly John raised his head. Extend |
ing his hand he grasped the others |
firmly.
Yes. TE go. if father is willing"
Father thought Frank. looking at
giant standing before him, but for some
reason he wisely held his peace.
Come on, it's supper time said
John, land I'll take it up with him
Passing to the top of a little hill they
looked on Gray's home. To the North
ern eyes. used to the bleak hills of
mountain valley, it seemed paradise.
The old dull brick house, its white high
pi1Iared front and deep tiny PANIED win
dews CHANGING in the sunlight; the thick
Iy massed trees with their varied leaves
under the ma gicaI light ef@the over
topping Blue Ridge seeming blue rather
than green, and the very strangeness of
the clear-out shadows combined to make
a picture fated to rest in Howefs. brain
cells forever.
Say, Gray. do you live there?" he
asked.
Yes" answered Gray in surprise
"Whv?''
':Well. I thought you were some poor
cuss of a farmer boy
Sorry to say you about hit it, was
the laconic answer.
Yes he continued modify, that
is about the rating of the Gray clan at
present. Before the row we had with
you people the old place supported 200
slaves. and I am the first of the line
who would have been found counting
corn hills
I'VE will be late to supper" said
John after q short pause
Down the gentle curving road. up
: : through a drive under the murmuring
boughs- 70 the house steps. AT their top
stood a man-tall. eagled-feature6
bearded like a patriarch The kindly
| eyes rested urson Howe and. after the
/ easy introduction lle extended his hand
! with the simple remark. You are well
come, Come in boys.
They passed under the great fan-top-
| ped entrance into the long. cool hall,
| simply furnished. There were broad,
| open stairs, with spidered banisters.
Come, let's slick up" said John. IS
! clutching Howe's arm. he led him
/ through the hail into the yard behind
/ the house, where under the curling
| boughs of great willow stood a long.
wooden trough. Howe thought that
never had dip felt so good. The soft,
cool water. rough towel. and the cool
ripple of mountain-chilled leaf-dltereG
breeze were the reverse of CRIME, heat.
and dust
After completing the grateful task
John said:
Well let's go in and eat something
| Returning 10 the house they entered
the dtning-room. a slender. dark-hafred
| lady rose from the head Of the table.
| My mother" and my friend" clasped
| hands Again new set of mem
| DRY cells were stored Howe never
| forgot certain sweet face, brown
frank eyes. and firm cool fingers. Then
after the good cid ham" fried chicken,
and melting hot biscuits had fulfilled
! their predestined task the men repaired
| to the gracious cool of the long quiet
! porch
Well John" said Mr.. Gray. as he
/ settled with a sigh into waiting chair.
| 1t rests, with you TO gather the smoke
/ offering"
John quickly disappeared to return
| q moment later with a long cigar box
and a handful OF long stemmed red
pipes. Mr.. Gray set the box on the
wide ledge of the chair and selecting
/ his pipe said TO Howe: My lad, YOU sec
| before you the best we can oFtr, and
l assure you it's not a bad collection.
| The pipes are the genuine Powhatan,
from back of Richmond, the stems are
| our own homegrown fig, and the to-
bacco Is best FIuyanna leaf. shredded be-
fore my fireplace by nay own hands.
In my estimation. at least. 1t is far
ahead Of Dutch clay and Cuban leaves
The long shadows grew into purple,
then all pervading black The shrin
twang Of the katydid rasped from the
! gloomy trees, the perfume of dew-en-
| crusted roses freighted the ripping
breeze, Through Howe's mind ran
| many thoughts. The lazy. kindly life
the feel Of Natures pulse in her sweet
est mood appealed strongly 10 the lad
| whose only experience had from early
boyhood, been 10 see the great mother
| as a thing of hidden stumps, Gathering
| sawmilis or tumbling logs Then as the
| whippoorwiIl sounded from the cIoakIng
trail, the mountains robe. Mrs Gray
Joined the group.
/ The talk changed from war and poll
tics into channels where great names
formed the banks OF swift flowing
glowing words and deeds. The moon
| had come up when from a silyery aisle
| of feeting shadows emerged a couple
| who were warmly greeted. Howe car
| ries yet a misty recollection of a gentle
man-gFay- haired and slight-and of d
| dim, graceful girl Of haunting, bird
like voice to whom he awkwardly re-
sponded. They were DR.. Deane ard his
| daughter Madge.
The conversation became general +:
| Howe listened in establishment. What
manner Of farmers were these to whom
| the shining names of music, art, or 1T
erature were well known and beloved
| friends? Then as the moon shone higher
and more bright Mr.. Gray held up his
hand