Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-03-05

Altogether the effect was homelike
and satisfying. II was like a Southern
plantation, a 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 n bleached and
overgrown with Virginia creeper and
honeysuckle. 1t had sheltered five gen
erations OF one family, a thing not
common In America.
The grocery store was also q strik-
ing bit OF architecture. 1t had grown
little by little during the man
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 five
| years before.
Here II was that Squire Hartswlck
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
iis the business. mus the S0ulre was
obliged himself often to be behind the
counters, especially of evenings, when
the farmers dropped In and the mail
was TO be disturbed" 1t saved the
wages Of another clerk, and paid we'll
In the long run.
Thus, on a clustering night, some six
weeks after the affai 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, and the usual 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, az was his
custom, on a projecting shelf. opposite
them, his feet on the unte
NOW, what do you folks now 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-
tionate. 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.
"Humphl What does ne know about
1t? Wal, les 'sposen he did. What's
he out here for, hiding in this hole in
he mountains? What's ne here for?
Did we ever stop TO think that Phila-
delphy folks don't very often buy farms
In these here mountains, unless there's
some mighty good reason? Heigh?
Now, what Farthing down here for?"
He paused impresslvely for an answer.
He's mighty tight-mouthed," OBJ
served Lem Fisher, falling in with the
sources line OF thought. He don't say
a word about himself, and you can
made him"
That's 1t. You've hit II right on the
head. Now, let me ask you one ques-
ton" The old man leaned toward the
group impressively and spoke almost
I'm a whisper. why is ii that folks
don't talk about themselves? When a
man that you don't know won't say
anything about himself, what's prob
ably the reason? Did you ever know
n 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
hat this Farthing's been here going
on TO 10 months and he hain't let drop
n single word. You fellers think of
hat for a minute or two"
AIS all right" burst i'm Dan Tessler,
with a spasmodic burst Of courage. 1t
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
/ was bed-fast last summer. You think
of hat. 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 it faint
natural for him to keep his mouth
going like a krout knife every minute
amt ag'in him, now I'm teIlin' you that.
If some of you f%ellers," sweeping his
glance over the group about the stove,
but not including the squire, III some
of you-uns quit your yammering
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.
Now, that's all right, Dan"-there
was an indulgent tone IN his voice
but Farthing's carrying it too fer.
Wouldn't 1t be jest natural now for a
man that's moved into an 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 the word significant-"and
who ont want to say much about his
past for some reason, wouldn't Ii be
Jest like him TO overdo the Good Sa-
maritan business at first? Wouldn't
he want to get on the good side of the
people and pull the wool over their
eyes? Mind, yeh, now, / amt talking
about this Farthing. I'm just 'sposing
a case"
(C~ontiaued Mex. Weekl