Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-06-26

idol Of her parents. Continuing
this road some three-quarters Of q
mile, over the next hill and we'll
down in the fiat. you reach another
small, three-roomed, unpretentious,
poorly kept dwelling. In this home
we find Mr.. and Mrs. Zeke Home
just enough land around them to
Homespun was the oldest boy-1O
years old; was a boy Of tremendous
physical proportions, dark brown,
sparkling eyes; a crude, honest and
manly face, and hidden and pent
up determination in his makeup,
ready to overcome all obstacles.
The old Richland school was to
open In few days, and John was
happy In the task allotted to him to
call at Capt. Aliens gate every
morning and see Mary safely across
the creek and to school, and back in
the evening. Many and happy were
the days for John and Mary, as they
spent their schools days together.
They grew up fast friends and no
feat was too difficult or daring for
John to perform in Mary's behalf,
and no words Of wish too lavish for
Mary to bestow upon John.
But all too soon Mary and John
were growing to maturer years, and,
OF course, were sweethearts. But
alas! The separation. The announce
ment comes that Mary is sixteen and
must go off to college. Soon the ar
rangements are made and John goes
over and tells Mary goodbye. and
they are pledged to each other.
For four long years John labors
with Herculean strength to help sup
port the large and needy family at
home, and daily thinks, and longs
and dreams for Mary's return. Now
and then he hears from her, but the
hope grows fainter.
At last Mary comes home with her
diploma, and John brushes up his
best, coarse, honest and awkward
manners and hOmespun suit and
calls to see her, but he finds her very
much changed. In a few days Capt.
Allen goes to Perryville and brings
home quite fancy-dressed and pol
ished college-bred suitor for Mary,
and Johns hopes grow very faint,
and he realizes that his environ
ments, his lack Of culture, his lack
OF opportunities are playing a losing
game for him.
After the city chaps departure
John calls to see Mary again, and he
realizes that it is all over for him,
and he goes back home, and as he
enters he pauses on the old piazza
steps and leans heavily against the
post and looks out into the CHEEKY
moonlight, but within his heart all
is gloom and dark DESPAIR
But bark! suddeny he lifts his
head and listens-"To-to-to, to-to-to-
to-to-to!' He recognizes Capt. AL
lens bugle as he sounds the distress
signal. He listens again: "Who-wee!
Ye-w ho-wee! Fire! fire! Help!
help!" 'Tis Capt. Aliens piercing
voice. John runs around the house
and looks toward Capt Aliens
house, and the tell-tale red glare and
black smoke speak for themselves.
The Allen house is on fire. OF John
runs, and in few moments he Is in
the burning building and finds the
dining room falling in, and they are
trying to get out Mary's old-t,mc.
heavy piano. Everybody 10 the
other end, and I'll take this cud!'' he
shouted, and out they go.
Just here John stops, half dared
and exclaims: Where is Mary?" No
answer. He runs to the north side
the fire is OH the east end-and
looks up to the third story window,
which he knew was Mary's room.
Just then the blinds fly open and
white figure stands in the window
and eXclaims: "JOhn, can't you save
me? The fire has cut off the stair
way, and I'm shut in" John looked
from the window to tall oak with
heavy, spreading limb running out
parallel with the building, and fully
as high as the window. He saw his
chance. He looked back at Mary
and said in a loud, keen voice:
Don't jump! Trust me and wait!
Mary, III save you BY this time
all eyes were on John. He ran to
the well, cut the bucket from the
rope, began to wind the rope about
his arm, cut the rope from the wind
lass and ran to the large oak, and,
like a squirrel. up the tree he
climbs. But his hold slips and
down he comes. Up again, and up
the tree he goes. Oh, he gains the
limbs, and on he goes. Out upon the
limb parallel with the window. He
ties the end of the rope around the
limb securely and drops the rope;
he grabs the rope and down the rope
he comes. He strikes the ground,
and he begins to swing himself back
and forth, back and forth higher
and higher; higher and higher-but
horrors! Look at the window! A
change Of wind brings the flames
around the corner and now they lick
into the window; now they drop
back. but John still swings higher
and higher. He nearly reaches the
window, and back he comes.
All, ha! Look! He clasps the win
dow sill and in the window he goes.
Horror OF horrors! Another gust Of
wind and the flames cover the win