The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-08

taciturn man and rarely made or encouraged conversation.
 "Goddlemighty man! They'd oughter found CT institution out on tn bar ground, endow hit with blow geer, axes an hoes. whar fellers with yo'r disease could be made ter dig an plant an reap till they could git back tn moral savor of bein' tn salt of tn yearth. Twouldn't cost nigh ez much ez hit do ter endow ev'r | little gim-crack college in the country, an hit would save CT sight of good men l thet air headin' straight fer perdition in | spiteeof tn Greek an Gospel they know!' | Cleghorn became gradually domesticated at the Corn homestead without becoming socially acclimated in the valley. Neigh bors dropped in occasionally, hoping to learn something of this latest acquisition to Pappys family, but he never took them into his confidence in these delicate matters, and no one knew whether Cleg- horn was a reformed hghwayman or d discharged convict
 "He means we'll bet Pappy don't hev good taste in some things commented Bob Teasley. An we all know his speret draws him to ards tn worst folk he kin fnd!'
 Meanwhile, Cleghorn was singularly do- cile, especially to Pappy as if he had no hope in the experiment but was grate- fully willing to please his friend and benefactor This, however, was the whole expression of his life. Do what they would, he remained an exile who could not break into the warmth of their re- vealing speech with any confidence of his own. They knew that he was un- married that he was reformed man when he entered the ministry, and of course, Martha inferred a love affair had ended unhappily. Pappy alone suspected the deep despondency which lay beneath his reticence.
 When CT reformed man falls from
 grace his case is hopeless becase he thinks hit air. Now tn boy feels tn fight comin' an he knows he hain't goin' ter hold out. So he dassent give CT way too much ter
 us, knowin' how he air predestined ter I disappint us when tn test comes," was Pappy's shrewd explanation.
 One day a week later he brought a load of corn into the barnyard backed the wagon against the door of the crib, and hurried into the kitchen where Martha
 was ironing Cleghorn's one linen shirt. He's fixn' ter git drunk ez sho' ez yo' air borned," he announced.
 How kin he git drunk on spring water?" she demanded contemptuously. "Oh, he found Jim Cooper's still on tn ridge t'other day an he hey been shyin' up thar ever since smellin' thet damn corn juice an sufferin temptation. Hits draw in him hard, I tell you'!'
 Well, why haint yo reportn' tn still afore he gifts ruint?' demanded Martha ''Yo' can't break CT colt from kiclSin' by takin' him outen the shafts, an yo' cain't stop CT man from drinl<in' by hdin' tn bottle. Hell scent one out somewhdr else. Tn only thing ter do is ter give him 70 times 70 chances ter grow stronger than tn appetite. l never mentioned thet Latin <t1~ Al.s drinkin' instinct he hev would lead him to hit anyhow. An now thet he hey found hit I haint goin' ter spile his chances of manhood by pertectin him ez eff he want CT man!'
 That night, balancing himself with bac- chanalian grace upon an overturned malt vat in Jim Cooper's still, John Cleghorn delivered the most eloquent sermon ever heard in Brasstown valley. Half a dozen rude mountaineers squatted about upon the floor in front of him and listened. There were signs of conviction" among them, and the preacher was about to call up "mourners" when he espied Pappy
 Corn seated upon the door still. He stag gered from his perch. steadied himself
 and laughed. It was not a pleasant sound.
 The men upon the floor stumbled to their
 feet and retreated involuntarily. Then, with the soberness of concentrated fury,
 
 Cleghorn excaimed
 You old man of heaven. get out of my
 sight. For months you have kept devll
 under your hand as cat holds mouse.
 tormentng me with your kindness. You'd
 as well try to tame Satan in paradise.
 Go, before I kill your He advanced
 threateningly But Pappy, who had been
 regarding him gravely, took his time. He
 stood up, nonchalantly, knocked the ashes
 from his pipe and remarked:
 "Thet were right good sermon,
 son-done well. considerin' yo'r con-
 dition. Bet hits time ter go home now.
 This haint CT proper roostn' place fer
 sech CT preacher" Cleghorn held back,
 sobbed. then staggered into the arms of
 his rescuer. Watched from above by n
 group of shaggy outlaws, the two went
 down the ridge together one in maud
 lin tears, the other tolerantly silent.
 The following morning they were in
 the blacksmith shop turning horse-