The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-02

which was hers by right Of allotment.
and on his birthday presented him
with . turning-lathe Of wonderful sim.
plicity and multifarious eficiencies.
And their mutual delight In the latte,
which was his. was only eQualled by
their delight In Mab's first foal, which
was Dede's special private property.
Daylight had made no assertion of
total abstinence. though he had not
taken a drink for months after the
day he resolved to let his business 90
to smash. Soon he proved himself
strong enough to dare to take
drink without taking second. On
the other hand, with his coming to
live In the country. had passed all de-
sire and need for drink. He felt no
yearnlng for II. and even forgot that
IL existed. Yet he refused to be
afraid OF II. and In town, on occasion,
when invited by the storekeeper,
wou reply: "All right. son. :, my
takins drink viii make you happy.
here goes. Whisky for mine"
But such a drink begat no desire
for a second. II made no impression.
He was too profoundly strong 10 be
effected by a thimbleful AS he had
prophssied to Dede. Burning Daylight,
the city financier. had died a quick
death on the ranch. and his younger
brother. the Daylight from Alaska.
had taken his pace. The threatened
inundation Of fat had subsidized, and
ell his old-time Indian leanness and
lltheness of muscle had returned. So,
likewise. did the old slight hollows In
his cheeks come back. For him they
Indicated the pink OF physical condi-
ton. Ho became the acknowledged
strong man of Sonoma Valley, the
heaviest litter and hardest winded
among husky race Of farmer folk.
At nrst. when In need o, ready cash,
he had followed Ferguson's example
OF working at days labor; but he was
not long In gravitating to O form of
work that was more stimulating and
more satisfying. and that allowed him
even moro time for Dede and the
ranch and the perpetual riding throug,
the hills. Having been challenged l.,
the blacksmith. In a spirit of banter
to attempt the breaking of a certain
incorrssih.e colt. le succeeded SO sig
naiiy AS to earn quite q reputation as
. horse-treaker And soon he was
able to earn whatever money he de
sired at this. to him. agreeable work
His life was eminently wholesome
and natural. Early to bed. he slept
like an infant and was up with the
dawn. Always with something to do
and with a thousand little things that
enticec but did not clamor. he was
himself never overcone. Nevertheless,
there were times when both he and
Dede was not above confessing tired.
ness at bedtime after seventy or eight
miles In the saddle. Sometimes, when
ne had accumulated a httle money,
and when the season favored, they
would mount their horses. with sad
die-oass behind. and ride away over
the wall Of the valley and Gown into
the other valleys.
one day. stopping q mail letter
at the Glen Ellen postol ce, they were
hailed by the blacksmith.
SAY, Daylight" he said. "a young
fellow named Slosson sends you his
regards. He came through In an auto
ON the way to Santa Rosa. He wanted
TO know II you didn't i've hereabouts,
but the crowd with him was In hur-
~. So he sent you his regards and
sAid to tell you he'd taken your ad-
vice and was st.ll going on breaking
mis- own record"
Daylight had long since told Dede
OF the incident.
~S'cssou7" he meditated. "Slosson?
That must be the hammer.thrower.
He put my hand down twice, the