The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-06-17
BREAKING IT TO SAN
BY GEORGE BINGHAM.

AIle, I'M gOln' 10 ask you once
more to marry me. I've got farm
over yonder in that river-bottom.
There's house there! it's we'll fitted
up for me and you-not for me and
somebody else"
Sam, | know you have waited for
me and l couldn't decide, but now
have decided; I'll 60 and be your
wife. III co."
when will It be, Allie? Tonight"
mo, not tonight-but the next day
after Thanksgiving"
Sam was happy and went to his
home.
The morning was cold, and tho 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 focked to the house to assist
Docks wife in preparing the big din.
ner.
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: Il wonder IL
he's heered the news yet? wonder
how he's goin' to take it,"
"You tell him. JIM"
Jim Carpenter spoke up. "Sam,
have you heerd the news?"
mo, whut is it?"
why, didn't you heer about Allie
and Ben Tillman running away last
night?"
Sam never moved-but his face
changed color, changed from healthy
red to sickly pale.
Dock, don't reckon can helm
you today. I'm not feelin' good" he
said.
Sam went toward his homo 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 off
with that other teller, does he?"
An old man famed the smoke away
from his face and answered.: young
Teller, you can't allus tell when a
mans heart has been hurt. Sans one
Of them men that can't 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 home and
saddled his horse. Slowly down the
road he started with an aslly face and
eyes that looked at nothing. His horse
took him to the nearest village where
whisky was sold. Late that afternoon
he came back. His horse was in
dead run, and its rider, with long
pistol in one hand, started the people
living in sight of the road with shots
and wild whoops.
id-you-ev--er!" an old
woman exclaimed. "If that amt Sam
Williams. Who'd thought 1t? Never
saw him that way before, and l KANT
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 ever seed it snow 80
brisk. Hi, whuts that big light I see
over to'ards Sam Williams house,
Gimme my hat, I'm gone; Sans house
Is afire!"
Away across the hills toward the
river bottom huge light made a 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 I'D, |
md there on the yard fence he saw
Sam Williams sitting with a gun in
his hand
Go back home, Dock. This is my
house and I've got right to do as
ike. Go back, 60 back"
After the fire in the building was
beyond control Of anyone who might
rant IN {nforforo Cor, tool~ l;o