The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-03-04

Altogether the erect was homelfke
n satisfying. 1t was like a Southern
plantation, q little community in itself.
almost self-supporting n independ-
ent. There was an antique atmosphere
about the old trees, about the rambling
paths and drives, and the old mansion
itself, weathered and bleached and
overgrown with Virginia creeper and
honeysuckle. 1t had sheltered five gem
erations Of one family, a thing not
common in America.
The grocery store was also a strik-
ing bit of architecture. 1t had grown
years. The owner, instead OF
tearing down and building larger
as his business and his worldly goods
had increased, had added bit by bit to
the original structure. The whole his
tory of the valley was written over the
face OF the building, every stage OF
growth from the original log shop to
the large frame addition Of only Ave
years before.
Here It was that Squire Hartswick
was most often to be found. Despite
his abundant property he was a close
reckoner of dimes and nickels, and he
could keep but a single clerk, a nery-
Gus, bloodless lad, who worked early
and late for the bare privilege Of learn
ing the business. Thus the SQUIRE was
obliged himself often to be behind the
counters, especially OF evenings, when
the farmers dropped in and the mail
was to be disturbed" It saved the
wages OF another clerk, and paid well
In the long run.
Thus, on a clustering night, some six
weeks after the affair at Tressler's, the
old man was In his place, a stout apron
covering his entire front, an old Derby
hat, much battered, askew upon his
head, n the usua unlighted cigar
stump in the corner of his mouth, The
store was well lined with the loafers
usual of a winter night. In a ragged
line they circled the stove, facing the
squire, who was perched, as was his
custom, on a projecting shelf, opposite
them, his feet on the counter.
Now, what do you folks know about
this ere Farthing? ?" he was asking with
solemn earnestness, leaning far forward
and holding his forefinger poised before
the group. There was an expression
on his face that seemed almost affec-
ionate. 1t was like a father in earnest
expostulation with his sons Have you
ever thought how Almighty little you
know about him? Have yeh? Who Is
he, and where'd he come from? Now,
somebody speak right up quick"
Jim Kemmerer sayes he come from
nigh Philadelphy STILL" volunteered
Dan Tressler. ~.
"Humph! What does he know about
1t? Wal, les 'sposen he did. What's
he out here for, hiding in this hole in
the mountains? What's he here for?
Did We eve stop to think that Phila-
delphy folks don't very often buy farms
in these here mountains, unless there's
some mighty good reasonP Heigh?
Now, what's Farthing down here for?"
He paused impressively for an answer.
He's mighty tight-mouthed," OBJ
unrNyn1 nEa TAnHAe Q,lErw H. IA a.
squire's line OF thought. HE don't say
a word about himself, and you can't
made him." 49,
That's It. You've hit IT right on the
head. Now, let me ask you one ques-
tion.'' The old man leaned toward the
group impressively and spoke almost
In a whisper. why is 1t that folks
don't talk about themselves? When a
man that you don't know won't say
anything about himself, what's prob
the reason? Did you ever know
a straight man In all your life who
want always giving o. something
from his W experience? Did you.
now? It's human nature to talk about
yourself, and Just you recollect now
that this Farthing's been here going
on to 10 months and he hain't let drop
single word. You fellers think OF
that for a minute or two"
"Al's all right" burst in Dan Tessler,
with a spasmodic burst of courage. It
took courage to oppose the squire's die
tum. There amt a kinder man ever
come into this valley still. Nosuh?
Jest you see what he lone for me when
I was bed -fast last summer. You think
of that. He didn't leave me lay, way
most folks done, but he and his boys
come right down at wunst and went to
work. Yessuh. Jest cause 1t faint
natural for him to keep his mouth
going like a krout knife every minute
amt ag'in him, now I'm tellin' you that.
II some OF you fellers," sweeping his
glance over the group about the stove,
but not including the squire, If some
of you-uns quit your yammerfnR
wunst and didn't work yeh Jaws so
much, 1t would be better for you and
everybody else in this valley still" He
resumed his pipe and smoked furiously.
Nov, that's all right, Dan"-there
was an indulgent tone In his voice
Farthtng's carrying 1t too fer.
Wouldn't it be jest natural now for a
that's moved into 81 out-of-the-
way hole in the mountains for some
reason'-there was a certain squinny-
ing OF his eye and accent of his voice
that made h word signiicant-"and
who don't want to say much about his
past for some eason wouldn't 1t be
Jest like him to overdo the Good Sa-
business at first? Wouldn't
he want TO get on h good side OF the
people and pull the wool over their
eyes?j Mind, yeh, now, I amt talking
about this Farthing. I'm just 'sposing
a case" -
(confiuued MeSL waeLN