Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-12-09

Kali. ne WIS = SOu14S IudA WiIa q
bright eye and a pleasant smile.
He smiled now at a boy who had
slowly edged up to him.
"Hullo," he said.
4Hullo,p the boy responded, with
much gravity.
~Fifteen?. queried the stranger.
Most fourteen" the boy replied.
big for your age. Live near
hcre?.
"'Rout half a mile. Live with my
grandmother Peasley. My folks are
out West. Ma amt WE'LL
The stranger nodded syr1pathetical-
". And he looked the boy over He
was a clean boy and a neat boy. His
trousers and coat were old, but care
fully brushed and darned, and his
shoes were whole and clean.
wonder if = your grandmother
would like to take a boarder for a
week or two?"
The boys blue eyes sparkled.
Il dunno that she wouldn't he
answered. We've got q spare room
with a dandy bed in it, and grandma
makes bully pancakes"
The stranger smiled again.
Fine recommendations" he said.
sIf your time isn't otherwise engaged,
I'D be glad to have you guide me to
your grandmother's home"
Sure said the boy. I've got the
time. I haven't anything to do 'cept
a little weedi1' and splittin' wood.
School don't begin for q week yet"
The stranger picked up his bag.
Then" he said, perhaps I could
get you TO show me the best places
to fish"
iii saow you the best places l
know, " replied the boy. There amt
any of 'em much good now. Ben Toll
liver says they're pretty we'll fished
They were walking side by side
along the main street of the little viii
lage; Theiboy walked with his head
in the an and his hands thrust deep
in his Jacket pockets. 1t was quite
evident that he appreciated his init
macy with this easy young stranger.
Pretty quiet place." said the new
conner.
rs it?r said the boy. @It's the
only place 1 ever lived in. 1t Just
seems natural to me-
The stranger laughed.
Some day / hope you will have a
change to make comparisons he
said. when I say the place is quiet,
I mean that nothing startling ever
happens here"
Il dunno bout that said the boy.
@Bingham's barn burned last spring,
and Toby johnson fell in the dam on
the Fourth O. July, and John Sawyer
he owns the big housesup there on
the hill-gave the boys a new hose
cart, and there was a church fair in
the brick church, and the circus
showed over to Brownsville"
The stranger laughed.
"a round Of excitement he said.
The boy gravely nodded.
They're putin in a new bell in
the schoolhouse," he went on, "and
she's a hummer! An last June old
Ezra Dawson, he was most ninety,
died, an Judge Atwater's son, Jim,
came home from college, but he
didn't stay long. Mart Edwards says
he heard he went to Moo York. Didn't
see nothin' of him there, did you?"
NO." the stranger laughed; I'm
afraid I missed him.
"Humpy Stafford says he was a
how1in' dude-that's because of his
clothes, you know, but Cliff Green
said he seen him drivin' a boss car
down to Coney Island. Cliffs been
round a-good deal. an everybody
thinks he's an awful liar"
Again the stranger laughed.
stS"Yes, an right after Jim Atwater
vent away jed Kenton' came back.
He's the .prodigal son, you know
rs he2n
That's what Bruce Jone~ called
him! They was talkin' bout it at 81
Brainard's store when 1 was waitin'
for some merlasses. Bruce said he
was the Teller Parson Gibson told
about so many times. Mebby you've
heard the story? It's in the Good
Book
Eyes, said the. stranger, "I've
heard it. It's a beautiful story"
There amt anything beautiful
about Jed Kenton," said the boy.
They're all a pretty tough lot, them
Kentons. See that OIL red house on
the hills, just beyond tn willows?"
Eyes" :,
4That's where they live. Jed
ruined away when he was bout as
old as me, an he never showed up
again until las July"
The stranger no longer smiled.
Ever see this prodigal?" he cas-.
ually asked.
yes" the boy replied. "He won't
come down town, but just hunts and
fishes. 1 saw him once up on the
Six-Mile Creek an he chased me
away. Said he'd skin me if | came
round scarin' the fish again
big man." asked the stranger, in
differently.
Bout as tall as you"
Easy stepper?"
Nope. Kind O. lame"
The stranger seemed to hesitate.
Rather pale and good looking?"
The boy laughed,
9I puess th' nrodigal Won seer