The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-04
How Craker Came Home
BY STACY r.. BAKER.

craker effectively disguised him as he strobe
carelessly along in the VI Plodyiile's two
most substantial citizens. Shreds OF their con-
sersation came back to him.
Craker had particular reason for remain
ing ncognito. except for a hvid memory. the
unheaIed bruises of which even smarted to
the sneers and comments Of the two, now
before him. his simple statement. years he-
fore, that he wished become Il lawyer.
Crakers father had been fairly prosperous
farmer IL tract Of land bordering Plodviiie.
Craker's grandfather had preceded shis father on
this same pot--and there had been others be-
fore him bearing the same name and with the
same blood in their veins. That the last of the
clan had ambitions above that of filling the soil
had amused Plodvle. Plodville. slumbering old
village that 1t was rocked not of stress ana the
lighting germ in mans blood.
The harsh voice OF Enoch Sneedman broke IN
the revere Of the youth.
Emma died this morning" from the
lips OF the old man. Lyman ToIlman strobe
stelidly along beside his fellow townsman for
SOME seconds before he ventured reply
Good thing" came in harsh voice at last
she expensive critter. Emma was,
The nails of the man behind bit into the palms
of his hansd he listened.
'oh, she all right" championed old En-
och reminiscently, but pesky unreliable, and
finicky lady's iapdog
Craker at these words took sudden step
forward. and then came to a stop with con-
temptuous shrug of his shoulders Il can't as
saut old men, he grumbled, half aloud. Il
should know more anyway than to expect SEN
tment from such-catte Stit--her own fla
ther,-what brutes there in this world
Although Graker had long since assured him
self that he had put thoughts Of the tmd-eyed.
golden HAIRED little maid from him, the dur
beat of his heart now told him OF the secret
crypt that had long been kept for her.
Emma! No other woman of his acquaint-
before since his college days could
compare with her And then word had cut
into his sensitive. town-taunted soul and ruined
IL all.
Fmbittered with "A town that could not or
would understand the ambition of cour
ageous son striving to rise above ms environ
ments. Craker had made just visit back to
Podville since the death of his mother had
made 1t possible for him to sever all ties ex
eept and take his long dreamed-of college
course.
This tie had been Emma sneedman. lie
had back 10 her and into his converse
ton he had sabtiy question that would
decide whether she above the narrow preju
dice OF the town, or hopeiessi' permea'ed with
the views Of her father and his neighhors
Emma he had replied simply. and Craker,
heavy of heart. had gone away and never. until
now, came back.
craker had gone to the far city been ad-
mitted to the bar and prospered. He had never
intended to come back for the girl Business
had called him here, and now--sne was dead.
She dead The heart, long subdued
hravely threw off its shackles TO tell Craker
the truth.
u must go To the house" ruminated craker
There noticeable droop TO the broad shout
ders What beast of a man that sneedman
is 10 talk in such heartess manner OF his
own daughter who has just died. Let me see
Emma was nineteen years OF age when | left
here. | have been In the city eight years She
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