The Prescott daily news., 1913-08-13
BREAKING IT TO SAM
By GEORGE BINGHAM.

more to marry me. I've got 1arm | over wonder in that river-bottom. There's a house there! it's we'll fitted ID for me and you-not for me and somebody else"
 Sam, I know you have waited for me and I couldn't decide, but now l have decided; I'll go and be your wife. I'll go"
 When will it be, Allie? Tonight?' "No, not tonight-but the next day after Thanksgiving
 Sam was happy and went to his home.
 The morning was cold, and the big flakes of snow drifted through the keen air and settled on the frozen ground It was Thanksgiving and the day was good for killing hogs. Before sun-up Dock Hill built fires under the big kettles down in the horse lot and the neighbors came over to help him. The neighbor women wrapped shawls around their heads and Hooked to the house to assist Docks wife in preparing the big din her.
 That morning Sam went across the | field to Dock Hills. When he arrived there other men were standing around | the roaring fire built between two | large logs, upon which rested the scalding kettles with dirty-looking water.
 Sam came through the patch of weeds and climbed the rail fence.
 We're waitin' fer you. The waters gettin' hot" some one called. Then this same person in lower tone spoke to those around him: 'I wonder if he's heered the news yet? l wonder how he's goin' to take it?"
 You tell him, Jim"
 Jim Carpenter spoke up. "Sam, have you heerd the news?"
 No, whut is it?'
 "Why, didn't you heer about Allie and Ben Tillman running away last night?"
 l Sam never moved-but his face changed color, changed from healthy red to sickly pale.
 Dock, l don't reckon I can help you today. I'm not feelin' good" he said.
 Sam went toward his home over In the Cumberland river bottoms and after he was out of hearing one of the men spoke up: Say, Sam don't seem to keer durn if Allie did run of with that other feller, does her"
 An old man famed the smoke away from his face and answered. Young feller, you cant allus tell when a mans heart has been hurt. Sans one of them men that cant be seen into You can't see the real Sam by looking into his face. He's one of these quiet sort of men. A better one never lived"
 Sam Williams went to his homo and saddled his horse. Slowly down the road he started with an ashy face and eyes that looked at noeliing. His horse took him to the nearest village where whisky was sold. Late that afternoon he came back. His horse was in d dead run, and its rider. with long living in sight of the road with shots and wild whoops.
 id-you-ev-er!" an old woman exclaimed. If that ain't Sam Williams. Who'd thought 1t? Never saw him that way before. and l kain't believe my old eyes now"
 When the darkness of that day came the wind settled, the air grew softer and snow began falling.
 Dock Hill opened his front door and looked out into the darkness. Hits jest peppering down snow. I'll bet the woodpile is covered up in the morning Don't believe l ever seed 1t snow so brisk. HI, whuts that big light l see over to'ards Sam Williams house. Gimme my hat, I'm gone Sam's house is afire!"
 1 Away across the hills toward the river bottom huge light made hole in the darkness.
 Dock drew near to the house of Sam Williams and saw the red flames and spark-laden- smoke rise up in the night, and heard the roof of the house falling. Nearly breathless he ran up and there on the yard fence he saw Sam Williams sitting with a gun in his hand
 Co back home. Dock This is my house and I've got right to do as like. Go back. go back"
 After the fire In the building was beyond control of anyone who might want to interfere, Sam took his horse from the stable. started fire in the | large haylOft and Palloped away down