The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-20
THE SON or TOLL,

1t was o'clock of a very hot Angus
afternoon, ana Weary William
thought that the long country roat
that stretched away in the distance a.
far as the eye could reach was I'M
usually hot and dusty at this par,
ticular time OF day. His shoes were full
of sand and dust, and his stomach fell
a peculiar knawing pain Also no was
not in very pleasant frame OF mind
After while he espied what he
took to be country farmhouse In the
distance. and qutckening his pace very
reluctantly, he hurried on. Coming
cioser, he beheld q. coSy little cottage
set back from the road with honey
suckle vines completely covering the
pretty little porch. and a gravel walk
leading up to the steps. Upon the porch
sat little lady with something that
looked like sewing in her hands and
q work basket at her side.
William turned in at the gate with
out hesitation and hurried up tho
gravel walk with pleasant anticipa-
lions of what no gloatingiy observed
would be an "easy'' meal.
Lady he began with voice of
authority. thinking to scare the timid
looking little lady, would you be SO
Kind as to give dis son o. toll bite o.
grub. for I hain't had no vittles to
speak o since the rise of dat orb O.
day yonder," and he jerked his thumb
toward Mr.. Sun. who was slowly TAX
ing his smiling face down toward the
western hills.
The lady" laid aside the pair OF
oVeralls she was placing an amend
ment TO, placed her needle in the
basket at her side, and rising she eyed
MIN sternly for half-minute during
which time William shifted uneaslly
from one foot to the other.
Son OF toll" she began in a tone
OF contempt, and William incidentally
hotlced that she was not as old and
as tiinid as she looked from the high
way. You don't even look like the
second cousin OF Toll and If you were
you would have made some preparation
lot the grub, and you don't get any
thlng to eat at this place. you son OF
beul. You nothing. who would term
yourselr man, and would rather
tramp these highways than get down
70 decent, honest toll; you ugly, dirty
brother OF Satan" and she pointed to
me gate sternly. as William retreated
slowly, completely humbled upon find
Ae tnat his near relatives were such
oaa characters: you leave this place
instantly. or you will mako some sup !
- <aoolplub mere, ana she EpOtnt-
"a TO an ugly looking. small bulldog
nat ma mad risen from a dark corner OF /
ne vine-covered porch and was ad. |
'ancins rnenacngly.
AS William turned, and, setting q
'risk pace. hurried down the walk, she !
aiieo from the porch: Farmer Jones, i
iext house. needs fellow to help T
his harvest right bad; you better /
ply and improve your ways!'
w cary William paused only long
noush at the gate to place a sign
pom the post with small piece of
max. which meant to the next .sons
toll" "BewareW and, hurrying down
ne dusty highway. ne muttered slowly
himself: Cruel, cruel void" and
fishten!ng up suddenly. he said aloud
3 II talking to tho dust under his
Get, Amt glad ain't one o. desc
ere hen picked husbandsl" ana for
etfu! OF the pain In hia stomach. and
'hislins softly to himself, he dis
ppeared at a turn far down tina road. /,
Tho End.
BY WILLIAM POAGE.
Floyd va