The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-08-20
GRANNY !


! ~ FELIX TELL0ws =
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The rain had come In torrents all
the morning but, BY two o'clock In the
afternoon, the hot July sun blazed
upon the dripping slopes Of the Ten
nessae mountains, and the handful Of
mounted bluecoats that trudged heavi'
" up the red clay road growled at
the hot vapor rising from the earth
which. with the hot rays from above
falling upon them, and their long ride
Of the morning. made further progress
almost torture.
The stick chimney Of Q mountain
hut snuggled close against the noun.
tain side, almost hidden from the road
by tho tall bushes and undergrowth.
broke upon the vision Of the men a.
most simultaneously. and . smothersd
ah! and speedy tightening Of reina
sent the tired horses briskly forward.
A sudden break in the bushes that
4V88oO
path leading up to the hut. With q
quick yank Of tho bride one Of the
men wheeled his horse into the path.
and then stopped suddenly. There. al.
most hidden in the brush beside the
path, on . rock that benched out from
it, fellows, sat . girl. and the surprise
Of the soldiers was reflected on her
face. It was . plain face-with rather
a large mouth that stood open In con-
sternation, and big blue eyes that
stared in wondsr-a face that might
belong to . woman Of anywhere from
II to 81. but glance down her form
to the. skirt that cut of at the ankles.
and the brown bare fost exposed be.
meath, took you back to the conclusion
Of II.
In her lap. her two hands clutched .
half-1nished yarn stocking with it,
bristling knitting-needlss. while the
ball Of yarn lay soaking in . little pud.
die farther down the slope. where 1t
had rolled unnotiesd.
"Here. girl." called the leader. have
you seen anything Of . man about here
to-day?"
"M-a,r.n"-shs drawled in reply.
''hain't seed . m.a-r.n crittsr tsrday."
Then. . little brighter-"Who be's you
ais a-lookin' fsr?"
"A rebel scout-tall fellow, dark
hair and eyes. Been chasing him since
daybreak, and IN internal chase no
has Given 10 too. up these slippery
hills Of yours"
"Nup. haint seed no critter terday."
she reiterated, languidly, STOPPING to
rescue the blue ball. which she pro-
ceeded to cleanse by hopping it up
aud down the side Of her homespun
gown. Say" she drawlsd. be yen.
ais soldters?"
Come. girl, who's up yonder at the
house?" asked the spokesman, ignoring
her question. where's the msl?"
"0onstsr-the-war." she lrawled.
Pap ana Dan lsf' Almost Z yer aga
Hain't seed nuthin' Nv 'sm, have yor?'
and the BIG. eyes took on = wistful q.
preston.
Come. girl. lead tho way, W must
search the house"
'Nebody's thar but granny. and
she's asleep"
We'll. don't stand there. move
along" COMMANDED the man.
"Dasn't." said tie girl: "0raany.
she's got the asmer. and shes IT enc
Of her bad spells. ana AAsAit wshe
her"
Come. come. this won't do. move
along there; W can't - detained By
. granny or two"
WALL" said the girl. planting one
bare foot On littls elsvation Of clay
and slowly bearing down IN the yel.
low earth eozsd up between the toes,
WALL" repeating the operation on
another little mound Of clay, III you.
alls bound ter do It. y9'll have tor
10 It alone. case I dasn't But I
warns yer not to wake granny, for
its her spell day and she's bad when
yer get her started"
well, I guess We can excuse you"
said the leader. Here. John. you hold
sSAV AVAooo @AV w ~ 10 OV-O00 %
sure to keep your sgs on that lovely
specimen Of southern beauty"
Say" she drawled, EQUALS 70
easy. case II she wakes up holm
be a-poppin'. shore nut. And when
yeu-alls come back, 1e1 turn down
tier path thar. 70 tho lsf, TO thsr
spring. ana I'll git you-alls somethil'
tor drink"
A laugh broke from the men. Wen
accept" The foremost turned 70 cay.
provided your something II not
spring water"
Nav. faint neither. It's good ole
! Tennessee corn juice. % Dad says, @
food % ever pisensd Q rattssnako.
Pap allus 'vitss strangers Ter drink.
Its hospertality hs says. and, says Ae.
'Hospertality 10 the poor mans savina
grace"
The men were nearing The cabin
door. when they heard The voico Of
the girl In Q sort Of stage whisper
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