The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1908-10-17


riots of his state. Outwardly and in
his manner of living he did not differ
materially from any of his kin, but
lie figures here on account of his child
ike submission to- the workings of
aw which he was unable to under
stand, and therefore was unable to
wilfully sin against.
Now the Cracker is a singular crea-
| ture, as singular in his character or
| the lack of it as in his tribal name.
If you ask a southerner what a
| Cracker is, he looks aghast at your
! ignorance, then smiles and begins con-
| fdently to explain, but presently
brings up all helpless in fit of STAN
| mering and suffering, finally an
nouncing in despair: why, he's a
Cracker!" While no one knows
where these "po' whites" acquired
their name, it is conjectured that their
long-legged gauntness may have sug-
gested the heron known as a corn
crake,' and that this may by corrup-
ton have evolved itself into Cracker.
In some localities in the south this
species of humanity bears the name
of Sand-hiller. which again may be de-
hill crane. At all events, the Crack
er is a curious creature utterly in
capable of applying himself to any
steady labor, and wholly proof against
improvement through contact with
others. He is Cracker first and last,
and as long as his race endures. His
ideas of right and wrong are tradi-
tionally erratic, and when found guilty
by other mems standards he regards
himself as greatly abused, and in no
sense bound to respect any code not
applied with force.
Pendarvis, or Pen, as he was ia
miliarly known throughout that Sec
ton, was beginning to tilt his see-saw
of life the other way at the time of
which l shall speak. After many
years of far too much work according
to Cracker standards), made neces-
sary by the hearty appetites of his
ever-increasing family, he was begin
ming to sigh for some windfall of for
tune which should allow him to hire
a niger and buy a mule, when, one
day, northern man came along and
began to set out grove on land adj
! joining his own patch. Through this
| stranger Pen came into part of his
long-dreamed-of windfaIl, for while he
was not able to hire a hand to do his
own work, he at least found ample eX-
cuse for letting the weeds grow at
home, while for dollars he helped the
uortherner- work on the new planta-
ton. Time thus wore on in happy
and southern manner, until the young
trees arrived at a stage where they
could be safely left to stand alone for
a time. Then one day the newcomer
went north to bring his family back.
This was bad news for the Cracker
With rueful looks he regarded the
rankness of his own kitchen patch,
and bethought himself of the daily
naggings he would have to undergo
from his "old woman" until he should
begin work there. Some weeks later
while Pen was engaged in his regular
interval of hoe-handle mapping, he
CHANGED to think that 1t was almost
time for that Yankee" to return
From where he stood he could see
that the young trees in his neighbours
orchard looked, thrifty and handsome,
but began to show the need of little
attention. Pen knew exactly what
ought to be done for their relief, and
calculated how many days could be
spent over there, and just how many
days of luxurious idleness would fol-
low on the proceeds. Although it was
| still two hours before shutdown and
he had plenty of work to do on his
little patch. Pen shouldered his hoe
and strolled leisurely up to his front
porch. There in the cool shade, tilt
ed back in his rickety chair, he
thought once more of his coming
bliss.
THAT Yankees tarnal slow" unused
Pen aloud, about week later. Since
had passed most of his time in sim
liar speculations as to his approach
ing wealth. 1t was but a few days
later that Pen heard of a man who
was inquiring for healthy trees at two
dollars apiece, and after that the
Crackers mind knew no peace until
he remarked to his wife next day that
he reckoned their neighbor "warn't
comm back no mo- A pity, tew,
ter leave them hunsum trees ter Their
bugs and lice" he continued. Poor
Pen had lain awake all night
thinking about those trees at two
| dollars apiece, and his crude calcu-
lations of the proceeds of 200 or 800
trees at that price had furnished him
with visions of a sum of money suffi-
GENTLY large to keep his family and
himself in luxurious idleness for an in
calculable period. A year, at least,
in which to bask in the sun and feast
on hog fat and hominy! Who could
resist so tempting a vision? Pen
nadn't the power; and, besides, it
seemed to him such a pity that those
,rees should be wasted.
His wife had never seen Pen so
eager to get to work as he was that
morning. He could not even wait to
fill his after-breakfast pipe before set
ting out, but shredded his leaf as he
trudged almost briskly away. What
aver conscience he may have had he
had succeeded in stilling during his
night Of counsel with himself What
harm could there be in saving those
young trees from certain destruction?
Were they not abandoned, and to him
| aS much &C m anvh0dv alSo1 II he