The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-02-25
The House of the Black
aa:As.ss. Ring e.,zs..... 1905
Continued.

SIlAt EfS l.-NOnGlnlc0
One thing, however, was clear, the
farthings were certainly kind neigh
bors. They were the first to volunteer
aid in times of sickness; they were
hospitasie and generous: and they
seemed anxious to make friends of all
IN the valley. Had not the three, when
pan Trcssler had had typhoid, gone
down and worked all day on his grain!
And there were other good turns OF
which h valley could tell.
But the silence of the man and the
strength OF his personality famed more
and more the curiosity of the little
community. He was probably not I'M
served that one might hesitate to set
hin at IS. He was a man OF
masterful temperament, one could
sec that at a glance. His
sharp. black eyes looked one straight
through. One felt instinctively that
a man whom one might be glad, very
glad. TO have for a friend, but whom
ono might well hesitate to have for q
Zoe. He was a man of great activity.
He had adapted himself quickly to his
new environment: he soon knew every
body In the region: and he seemed to
undeEstand as il by instinct all the
problems and conditions OF the little
valley. The farmers were not getting
Dug for their wheat. Squire Harris
"iGh, WHO oWHcu many OF tne farms,
and who had a monopoly OF the valley
trade, dictated the price. n there was
40 appeal. They we're paying him too
much for their groceries. too. and
Farthing had rebelled. He had decided
70 market his own produce and send
Tor his own groceries, and he had in
vited his %ncighbors to join him.
Blu don't you suppose Al knows
about the Old house,"
Ulie wiped his knife and looked over
his glasses.
Told him myself Already"
"Oh. you did"
But Al can AGAR and see for him
self II he amt deaf and dumb and
blind. No use to tell him. snapped
Ulie.
Then why don't he do something
about 1t wunsta"
But Whit In time can he do about
IT." Lem Fisher vas facing the crowd
half defiantly.
Burn down the old coop. hide and
g The suggestion came from a
tall slab of q man who was very busy
with the pulley blocks. A scornful
laugh burst from Lem Fisher.
Now. that's good. That is certainly
good. just o hear Amos, boys. Burn
out h dewitt Fight the devil with
fire! Oh. myi That's something new.
amt It already YETI"
.Dry woodIi burn. devfl or no devil.
you touch q match to that old She
tang n see what happens. If 1t
don't burn. then you CT go n harvest
my head long with he rest of your
fall pun'kins."
Hardin. wunst And don't you go to
maxim big tai about what the devil
can't do still. 'Tain't safe. Nosuh." He
had a threatening tone, as il his own
personal prowess had been made
light OF.
gust and walked away.
Do you think that cabin could be
touched by fire: Do yeh?" raising his
voice to follow him. Where's he gone?
You see he's afraid to talk. Amos. he
ain't nothfn' but jest a Yankee still.
knows what I'm sayin'-can't nobody
so over the dead line around that
U but Jest the devil and them he
let's so. Nosuh!" Thu oracle straight
ened up and looked about him like one
who has won his debate.
But what i want to know is why
amt Al scairtf Z Why don't he say
something wunst? Why don't he tell
what he sees nights? I tell you-all
stun there's something strange about
thls--something strange" Ulie wagged
MS head mysteriously.
Yas. vas. sOmesing strange" echoed
old Poppy Miller, who had sat till now
In sphinx like silence. The unexpected
words .caused a thrill to go over the
company. They all stopped short and
looked al him.
What ID 1t. Poppy" There was q
GREATNESS silence.
"Somesing strange" mumbled the old
man with u vacant. far-away look in
his eyes. 'Somesing stranger'n you
sink already. Somesing strange"
"H-s-s-s-s, Here comes AL" Dan
Tressler warned the group in a pene-
trating whisper. Then he called out
In unfeigned welcome:
How d. do. AL? Mighty glad to see
yeh. mighty glad" He shook hands
with the stranger and q few Of the 9TH
ers did ALSO.
The day was breaking clear and
sharp. The sun. peering through the
over the mountain, was transmut-
ing the bronze tulo lncandescent gold.
lt lighted up the far horizon in mar
yelous shades OF red n russell. and 1t
the valley. showing in sharp relief the
Inags n scrub-oaks on the sky line.
The F'arthing boys plunged at once
into the work with muscular vigor.
They were broad silouldered. brawny
fellows. both or them over 20, with
reliance n mastery OF affairs. come
as they might. clearly inherited from
their father.
Smart boys you've got there. Al.
Good workers. Amt they?"
oh. yes. Yes. sir-r-r!!" There was a
hearty ring In his voice. They're will
ing to work and I'm willing they
should" He rolled up his sleeves and
took his place In the line. He was a
goodly man to look at. square shout
dered n straight. and he went into
the work as IL he loved 1t.
The business moved on merrily.
At 10 o'clock Squire Hartswick with
q whirl M a flourish drove into the
yard, and the climax of the day was
at hand. The men looked up
~. hen fell to Work again with re-
doubled vigor. The old man made It
a point to oversee carefully all butch
ering operations on his farms, and he
criticised shabby work without mercy.
The hogs were. to be sold to him. He
seemed TO be n Trick set old MAJ as
he sat in the buggy. square and force
full. His a was smooth and fiorid,
and under white, shaggy eyebrows gilt
tered beady eyes that were never still
a moment. In the orner of his mouth,
rs II 1t were Il part OF him, was gripped
tightly the stub of an unlighted cigar.
He was holding his horse with diff
Guilty. Horses were his one weakness.
Counting In his work teams. he had
~, ard; he had long held the county
records in nearly every class. In races
he always drove his own horse, and it