The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-03-21

derS began to straiShten up uncOn-
straight into the eyes of his interloc-
utors.
Eyes, sir, I'm going to get married"
he reiterated. :'Marigold an me have
been set on it ten year. Most folks in
Breshtown, where live, would "a been
satisfied with just shack to start
with, but l always lowed that when
we married Marigold should live like
Il lady an me like lord. That's what
reused me to go west. Now We'll buy
the Hunter place an build Il new house
with four rooms-four rocms," lower
ing his voice little and looking about
the car.
but that will only take very small
part of your money" suggested the
drummer. What will you do with all
the rest?''
promptly. None o my family ever
had any money put aside
"You must have a pile" remarked Il
portly man, glancing little enviously
at the bulky packages and at the same
time comparing his own comfortable
need for money and appreciation Of
it with this backwoodsman's evident
primitiveness
"a pile! Yes, sir; that's what keep
a-sayin' over to myself" agreed Geor
gia. Il reckon there'll be enough for
all of us. None O. my family II ever
need any more
All this time the two recipients of
the conductors scowl had been appar-
ent uninterested spectators of what
was going on. One had tapped impa-
tiently upon his window, and the other
had fumbled with his newspaper. But
even in their Indifference they had OBJ
served that the two miners who sat
together were strong, keen eyed, reso-
lutte men, apparently able to hold their
own In all sorts Of vicissitudes. while
the man from Georgia was simple, I'M
sophisticated and in possession of all
his baggage.
Presently another significant look
was exchanged, and the one who had
been tapping upon the window rose
carelessly and crossed over to him of
the newspaper.
rs this seat engaged?' he asked.
NO" removing valise from the
seat to the floor and then folding his
newspaper as preliminary to CONVEX
sation.
Going far?"
ITO Georgia.
Really" in feigned surprise. "Why.
I'm going there myself"
The miner in front turned eagerly
and gazed into their faces. but appar-
emily they did not notice him.
Most inquisitive set of people in this
ear ever met" one of them remarked.
Eyes, anything but boring strangers
with questions, | say"
Georgia turned away, but his ears
remained vigilant
At length on one of his rounds
through the car the conductor stopped
beside the two men whose fingers were
noticeably long and white and nerv-
ouS
Il believe your tickets ran out at the
last station:"' he said inqairngly.
Yes, but we've changed our minds,'
one of them answered easily. Last
night ! ran across this man, an old
friend Of mine whom hadn't seen In
twenty years. Now we're going on to-
gether for Il visit to our old home in
Georgia. Well pay the difference"
"Hm!" the conductor said coldly.
"Where to?'
'Rreshtown, Ga"
The miner whirled with his mouth
open and his eyes bulging in eager
ness. AS soon as the conductor moved
away he blurted out:
"Doggone it, stranger, that's my
place. Who mout you -be?'
"Smith and Robinson My names
Bill"
Gcorgia's face beamed with pleased
recognition
Why, l know heaps O. Smiths an
Robinsons" he cried, reaching over
and shaking hands with first one and
then the other. L reckon you all are
some o the family who went west
when boys. There was Tom an Seth
an Ike an'-an'
My friend here is named Ike"
blandly.
"Ye don't say" delightedly. "Then
me an him was old friends when we
was boys. He's changed. though"
looking the man over curiously, but,
then, folks do as they grow UP. Well,
we'll, I'm plumb gladw
There was no more reserve. Georgia
talked freely and was met with cor
diality that delighted his simple heart
At last, as the shadows began to
darken IN the car, the train slowed up
at a small unpainted building which a
brakeman introduced to the passengers
as Breshtown
The men helped Georgia off with his
baggage and then piIoted him to a
carriage which they had telegraphed
ahead to have in readiness He lived
six miles from the station. he had told
them, and had frankly added that the
way led through wild, almost unin-
habited forest. At this their eyes had
frightened hopefully, and they had as
sured him that it would be unnecessary
for him to order carriage Theirs
would be large enough for all three.
including his baggage, and they were
going directly his way to their old
home
Georgia was hilariously exuberant.
He laughed and sang and cracked jokes
that he remembered to have been tim .
honored in the old neighborhooa. and
they sang and laughed with him until