The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-12-31

NbltUtT Hp DOT LcbCOtl uOllctu iilHH
who crept down through the timber,
and for q time watched them. The
mans face wore a sufly, contemptuous
grin. and shortly II withdrew.
But, an hour later, while the boy
was still working induBtriously and
the artist was lying on his back. with
pipe between his teeth, and his half
closed eyes gazing up contentedly
through the green OF overhead
branches, their peace wae broken by
guffaw of derisive laughter. Thee
looked up, to find at their backs semi
circle OF scofilng humanity, Lescotts
impulse was to laugh, for only the
comedy OF the situation at the mo
ment struck him. stage director.
setting a comedy scene with that most
ancient of jests, the gawking of boobs
at some new sight, could hardly have
improved on THE tableau. At the front
stood Tamarack Spicer, the returned
wandeler His lean wrist was stretched
out OF a ragged sleeve all too short, ami
his tattered Jimmy" was showed back
over q face all a.grin. His eyes were
blood.shot with recent drinking, but
his manner was in exaggerated ano
cumbersome imitation of rural mas
ter of ceremonies. Al his back were
the raw.boned men and women ana
children OF the hills, to the number o'
o dozen.
Ladies and gentlemen" announced
Tamarack Spicer, in hlccougnlng
voice, swing go partners an sashay
forward. See the only son Of the late
Henry South engaged in his mar-ve'
lous an heretofore undiscovered occu
patton OF doin fancy work. Ladies and
gentlemen, after this here show Is
concluded, keep your seats for the con
cert in the main tent. This here Ia
nous performer viii favor ye with a
little exhibition of plain an fancy
sock. .darnin'"
After the first surprise, Samson had
turned his back on the group. He was
mixing paint at the time and he pro
ceeded TO experiment with fieetlns
cloud effect which would not outlast
the moment. He finished that, and,
reaching for the palette.knife, scraped
his fingers and wiped them on his
trousers legs Then. he deliberately
rose
Without word he turned. Tama'
rack had begun his harangue afresh
The boy tossed back the long lock
| from his forehead, and then, with
an unexpectedly swift movement,
crouched and leaped His rlgh, fls,
shot forward TO Tamarack Spicera
chattering lips, and they abruptly
ceased TO chatter as the teeth were
driven into their flesh Spicer's head
snapped back, and he staggered against
the onlookers, where he stood rocking
on his unsteady legs. His hand swept
lnstinctiycly to the shirt-concealed
holster, but, before it had connected
both OF Samsons fists were playing a
terrific tattoo on his face. The in
glorious master of the show dropped
and lay groggily trying to rise.
The laughter died Us suddenly as
Tamarack's speech Samson stepped
back again, and searched the faces oi
the group for any lingering sign oi
mirth or criticism. There was none
Every countenance was sober and eX
pressionless. but the boy felt weight
of unuttered disapproyal, and he glaret
defiance. One OF the older onlooker,
spoke up reproachfully.
Samson, ye hadn't hardly ought TEL
a.done that lie was jest funnin
with ye."
"Git him up on his feet I've go
somethin' ter say ter him." The boys
voice was dangerously quiet. II wat
his first word. They lifted the falleI
cousin. whose entertainment had gon'
astray. and led him forward grumbling
threatening and sputtering, but eyinc
ing no immediate desire to renew hos
tilities.
"Whar hev ye been?" demanded
Samson
"Thet's my business" came the ia
miliar mountain phrase.
why wasn't yer hyar when then
dawes come by? Why was ye tn
only South thet runned away, whoi
they was smellin' round fer Jess
purvys assassln?"
81 didn't run away" Tamaraok'
bloodshot eyes ilared wickedly. -
llnowed thet ef ! stayed round hya
with them damned Hollmans stickir
their noses inter our business, I'd hur
somebody. SO, went over inter tn
next county fer n spell. You feller
mout be able TO take things oflen tn
Hollmans, but ! haint."
"Thets damned lie" said Samson
quietly "Ye ruined away, an y
| runned IN the water so them dawg
couldn't trail ye-ye done hit becaus
We shot them shoots at Jesse Pury
from the laurel-because ye're true,
Dustin, murderin bully thet shoots o
his face, an is skeered to fight" San
| son paused for breath, and went o
with regained calmness. "Pye knowe
all along ye was the man, an I've kel
quiet because ye're my kin If YET
got anything else ter say, say hit. Blu
Of ever ketches yer talkin' about IN
H or talkin ter Sally, I'm a-goin' ter TAX
We by the scrofr of the neck, an dra
!. ye plumb into Hixon, an stick ye
the jailhouse An I'm a-goin' ter te
! the high sheriff that the Souths spit
ye outen their mouths Take hil
away" The crowd turned and lie
the place. When they were gone. San
b son seated himself at his easel agail
and picked up his palette
CHAPTER W.