The Lamar register., 1913-10-01
; REAKING 1T TO SAM
ev GEORGE BINGHAM.

sv GEORGE BINGHAM.
allie, I'm goin' to ask you once
more to marry me. I've got farm
over yonder in that river bottom.
There's house there! it's well fitted
up for me and you-not for me ara
Sc me body else"
sam, / know you have waited for
me and / couldn't decide, but now |
have decided; I'll go and be your
wife. I'll co.
When will 1t 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 the big
fakes of snow drifted through the
keen air and settled on the frozen
Tgound. 1t 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 fre 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.
Were waitin' fer you. The waters
gettin' hot" some one called. Then
this same person In a lower tone spoke
to those around him: 81 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?"
Sam never moved-but his face
changed color. changed from a healthy
red to a 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 a dnrn II Allie did run off
with that other Teller. does hep
An old man famed the smoke away
from his face and answered: Young
Teller, you can't allus tell when q
mans heart has been hurt. Sans on
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 ashy 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 Il
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.
"Well-=did-you-e an old
woman exclaimed. 'If that amt Sam
Williams. Who'd a thought it? Never
saw him that way before, and 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 l ever seed it snow so
brisk. Hi. whuts that big light see
over to'ards Sam Williams house,
Gimme my hat, I'm gone; Sans house
is afire!"
Away across the hills toward tn
river bottom a 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.
GO 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 wa
beyond control of anyone who nigh