The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-11-30

I
Undoubtedly" was my answer.
Judas Priestl" said he, taking out
his wallet again, TO look at the trophy.
Tibet air mus be with suthin,."
More than a years salary" said I.
He looked up at me with a sharp
whistle of surprise
"Ain' no great hand fer soch funny
diddles," said he, as he put the medal
away.
ITS a badge of honor" said I.
1T shows you re a brave man"
Got 'nough on EN-" said Dirt
"This ere rip n the foreheads bout
all the badge I need"
Its from the emperor--the great
Napoleon" said. 1T s a mark Of his
pleasure"
"Wall, by Judas Priestl" said D'ri.
Il would MT jump over a stump or
stun wall c please no emp'ror, an
would MT cut of my leetle finger fer
a hull bushel basket o. them air.
hain't a-fightin' fer no honor"
what them" said I.
His face turned very sober. He
pursed his lips, and spat across the
! ditch; then gave his mouth a wipe.
and glanced thoughtfully at the sky.
Fer liberty" said he, with decision.
Same thing my father died fer"
Not to this day have forgotten It,
the answer Of old D'ri, or the look OF
him as he spoke was only a reckless
youth fighting for the love Of peril and
adventure, and with too little thought
OF the high purposes OF my country.
The causes of the war were familiar to
me; that proclamation of Mr.. Madi-
son had been discussed freely in our
home, and / had felt some share in
the indignation OF D'ri and my father.
This feeling had not been allayed by
the bloody scenes in which had had
a part Now began TO feel the great
passion of the people, and was put to
shame for a moment.
"Liberty-that is a grand thing to
fight for" said I. after a brief pause.
Swap my blood any time fer thet
air" said D'ri. II can fight sassy, but
not fer no king but God Almighty.
Don't pay { sit all tore up less II s
fer suthin' purity middlin' vallyble.
My life amt wuth much, but, ye see,
| hain't nuthin' else"
We rode awhile in sober thought.
hearing only a sough of the wind above
and the rustling hoof-beat of our
horses in the rich harvest Of the au-
tumn woods. We were walking slow
ly over a stretch Of bare moss when, at
sharp turn. we came suddenly in
sight Of a huge bear that sat facing
us. | drew my pistol as we pulled rein.
firing quickly. The bear ran away
into the brush as l fired another shot
"He s hit" said D'ri. leaping of ana
bidding me hold the bit. Then, with
long stride, he ran after the fleeing
bear. had been waiting near half an
hour when D'ri came back slowly, with
downhearted look.
ct ain no use" said he. Cant
never git tibet bear. He s got a flesh
wound high up in his him quarters, an
be S travellin' fast"
He took a fresh chew of tobacco and
mounted his horse.
Terrible PITY" he exclaimed. shalI-
ing his head with some trace of linger-
ing sorrow. Ray" said he, soberly.
after a little silence, when ye see
bear lookin' your way. ef ye want i'm.
always shute at the end thet's toward
ye."'
There was no better bear-hunter in
the north woods than D'ri. and to lose
bear was. for him. no light affection.
Cant never break a bears neck by
shutin' i'm in the him quarters" he
remarked.
made no answer.
might Jest es well spit n is face"
he added presently; Jest eggzac'ly."
This apt and forceful advice Gained
a lingering sense Of duty, and he rode
on awhile in silence. The woods were
glooming in the early dusk when he
spoke again. Something revived his
contempt of my education. He had
been trailing after me. and suddenly
felt his knee.
Tell We this, Ray" said he, In q
kindly tone. EFF ye wan Z git bear,
got t mux i'm up a leetle for'ard-
right up n the neigh borhood Nv is
fo'c's'le. Don't dew no good t shute
is hams. Might es well try Z choke
i'm { death by plnchin' is tail"
We were out in the open. Roofs
and smoking chimneys were silhouet-
ted on the sky. and, halfway up hill,
we could see the candle-lights OF the
red tavern. There. in the bar, before
blazing logs in a great fireplace. for
the evening had come chilly. a table
was laid for US, and We sat down with
hearty happiness 10 tankards OF old
ale and a smoking haunch. | have
never drunk or eaten with a better
relish. There were half a dozen or so
sitting about the bar, and all ears were
for news Of the army and all hands
for our help. If we asked for more
potatoes or ale, half Of them rose to
Droclaiu 81 npfyaap nfnoc If Wtr-