The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-06
One Kentucky Feud.
BY BEN T. cLENWoop.

~ ScNSAaI years ne Hau ITOSpeEeu
and saved money and been happy and
contented. In fact, ever since he
came down from the hills and went
to work theoretically. courageously.
pers,stently, he had been on the win
ming side OF the game. Often. as he
lay under the big tree in the door.
yard. smoking his pipe in peace and
content, he thought OF the hard, pre-
carious life in the hills. where there
was little legitimate work to do and
l-ttle-very. very little money for any
and all purposes. And he thought
with real pity. OF the many stalwart
young men idling away their time. get
ting food by hunting or fishing. taking
desperate chances. perhaps. In the
stills to get just money enough tc
clotho themselves.
Many of them were as willing tn
work rs he. and would brave any dan.
ger to possess the modest little &C.
count Burson had in the savings bank.
But hereditary environment is hard
to break. and IT takes n brave man to
abandon the hill country. with its
wild. free life and go down into the
unknown plains. where all Is fiat and
monotorous. and whore people live
in houses instead of cabins. and wear
Diieu sUlIiS Oh Il ouUuay.
Burson. however. possessing an Gn.
usually adventurous nature, had bold.
ly broken away from the traditions of
his fathers and invaded this unknown
country. And, as has been stated. he
had prospercd and been contented
and happy In his now lifc.
But while tho current OF his life
flowed on in all serenity. the clouds
were gathering and the Fatcs were
preparing to shock him.
The first manifestation OF forthcom.
ing trouble was when Burson fell In
love with Widow G-iEgs. who kept the
boarding house where Burson lived
when he was not on job which in
volvcd his living with the farmer for
whom he worked. 1t took Burson a
long time to find out that he loved
the widow. At first, he simply expert.
enced deep content to 80 home and
watch Mrs. Griggs' CHEEKY, smiling
face as shc hustled about her house
hold duties. and to note her grace OF
form and motion. Then he began to
experience strange fluttcrings within
his breast when his eyes met hers. or
when she spoke to him. or when her
ankle reepcd out from beneath her
dress as she trottod around the corner
Of tho table.
All of these manifestations dis,
turbed Burson inwardIy and he began
to take counsel with himself as to
what 1t all .meant. for he was some.
thing of a philosopher, was Burson,
and when his inner consciousness be.
camo perturbcd he wanted to know.
right away, what it was all about
After much elaboration. involving
the consuming OF scandalous quaint
tics of tobacco. and many sleepless
nights. Burson finally discovered that
it was love. and that the fair widow
was the cause of his perturbation.
Then camo the greatest struggle OF
all Burson's life. Should he give ur
his liberty and attempt to assume
new and strange responsibilities"
This sclf-analysis was soon swept
away. however, before the rising tide
of his passion. and the sole burning
question became "Will she have me?"
With true manly instinct he put IT
to the test. not SO gracefully. perhaps.
as Beau Brummcl. but with the di
rectness and force OF the hill man.
With equal directness-tempered
however. by kindness engendcrcu
from the honest love-light she saw in
his clear eyes, she told him his suit
was impossible: that she was married
and her husband still lived; that con.
ditions she did not care to so into had
separated them. and that her husband
had gone back to the hills, while she
had remained there with the little boy
but that he was about to return
when her happiness would be com
plete.
Then the sunshine faded from Bur
sons life and the future looked like
the Arizona desert. Without trying
to hide his hurt. he turned and walked
away with dry eyes bat fearful heart
And as the little woman watched him
go so dejcc.cdly away the tears
spranE to her eyes and dimmed their
brightness.
This was the first blow. but 1t was
only the beginning.
Burson. stumbling along, not know
ing whittier his vagrant steps carried
him. and caring less. found himself
after a time. before the village pos;
office, and mechanically he entered
and asked for his mail.
There was but one letter-an omin-
ous-looHing affair, in a brown enve!.
ope. Anyway 1t was something to
divert his thoughts from the great
calamity which had befa!lcn him
Going outside. he seated himself on
the rail provided for the hitching OF
horses and orencd his letter