The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-07-04
BREAKING IT TO SAM
BY GEORGE BINGHAM.

| Allie, m gOin W dsh you ohNO
more to marry me. I've got a farm
over yonder In that river-bottom.
! There's a house there! It's well fitted
up for me and you-not for me and
somebody else"
Sam, know you have waited for
me and couldn't decide, but now l
have decided; I'll go and be your
wife. I'll 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 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 fiocked 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-lookins
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 lower tone spoke
to those around him: IL wonder II
he's heered the news yet! wonder
how he's goin' to take itr'
"You tell him. Jim" 49,.
Jim Carpenter spoke up. "Sam,
have you heerd the newsf"
mo. whut is it,"
"Why, didn't you heer about Allie
and Ben Tillman, running away last
night?" ~ 49,. .>.
Sam never moved-but his face
changed color. changed from healthy
red to sickly pale.
Dock, I don't reckon I can help
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 seen
to keer a durn II Allie did run OF
with that other Teller, does he?"
An old man f;st1ed the smoke away
from his face and answered: "Youue
Teller, you can't allus tell when q
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 quie
sort of men. A better one nsve'
lived" Y
Sam williams went to his homo ant
saddled his horse. Slowly down thu
road he started with an ashy face ant
eyes that looked at nothing. His hors'
took him to the nearest village wher'
whisky was sold. Late that Afternoon
he came back. His horse was In |
dead run, and its rider. with . lonI
pistol In one hand. started the peopl,
living In sight of the road with shot
and wild whoops.
"Well-did-you-ev- an oil,
woman exclaimed. "If that amt San
williams. Who'd . thought it, Move
saw him that way before. and kahn
believe my old eyes now"
When the darkness Of that da
. | kh> v,S~A .oft1AA the al urAv
softer and snow began falling.
Dock Hill opened his front door an
looked out into the darkness. Hit
Jest peppering down snow. I'll bet tn
woodpile IL covered up In the morning
Don't believe I ever seed 1t snow y
brisk. Hi. whuts that big light 30
over to'ards Sam Williams house
! Gimme my hat. I'm gone: Sans hous
10 ahre!"
: Away across the hills toward tn
river bottom huge light made hcl
in the darkness.
Dock drew near to the house Of Sar
williams and saw the red flames an
sparkladen smoke rise up in III
night, and heard the roof of the hous
falling. Nearly breathless he ran W
and there on the yard fence he SAL
Sam Williams sitting with a gun 4
his hand.
Go back home, Dock. This IL m
house and I've got a right to do a.
like. Go back, go back"
After the fire In the building wa
beyond control of anyone who Nigh
want to interfere. Sam took his hors
from the stable. started a Are in tn
large hsyloft and salloped away dow
the road on his steed. There are pet
pie In this community who heard tn
hoofbeats Of Sans horse AZ he swoI
down the road that night. but thsr
: are none who have seen him since.
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz