The Huttig news., 1914-12-26
stealth long through the timber"

stealth long through the timber"
 The skulking traveller decided to lie plausibly. He laughed mendaciously That's the reason, Samson. was kinder skeered ter go through this country in the open."
 Samson met his eye steadily and said slowly:
 ''I reckon, Jim, hit mought be half es risky fer ye ter walk upstandin along Misery es ter go a-crouchin' Ye thinks ye've been a-shadderin me I knows jest whar ye've been all the time. Ye lies when ye talks bout passin' through We've done been spy, in hyar, ever since Jesse Purvy got shot. an all thet time ye've done been healthier fer ye ter do yore spyin' from s'other side of the ridge. reckon yer sllowin' ter git me eff Purvy dies, but we're watchin' ye''
 Jim Asberry's face darkened. but he said nothing There was nothing to say. He was discovered in the ene- my's country and must accept the enemy's terms.
 This hyar time I lets ye go back, said Samson fer the reason thet I'm tryin' like all h-l ter keep this truce. But ye must stay on yore side or else ride the roads open. How is Purvy terday 2'
 He's mighty porely." replied the other in a sullen voice.
 All right. Thets another reason why hit hain't healthy fer ye over hyar."
 The spy turned and made his way over the mountain.
 "D-n him.' muttered Samson, lost in the undergrowth. Some day I'm a-goin' ter git him.
 Tamarack Spicer did not at once reappear. and when one of the Souths met another in the road the customary dialogue would be: "Heered anything of Tamarack? ?" No, hev you? ?' No nary word"
 As Lescott wandered through the hills, his uDhurt right hand began cry ing out for action and brush to nurse. AS lie watched. day after day, the unveiling of the monumental hills and the transitions from hay. wrath like whispers of hues to strong, f1aring riot of color, this fret of restlessn ess became actual pain. He was wasting wonderful opportunity and the crea- tive instinct in him was clamoring.
 One morning, when he came out just after sunrise to the tin wash basin at the well, the desire to paint was on him with compelling force. The hills ended near their bases like things bit ten eff. Beyond lay limitless strea m- CTS of mist. but. while he stood at gaze the flmy veil began to lift and float higher. Trees and mountains grew taller The sun, which showed first as a ghost-lke disk of polished alumi nun, struggled through orange ant vermihon into a sphere of livinl flame. Lescott heard voice at hi l side.
 When does ye low ter commenc l paintin ?"
 It was Samson. For answer tn artist, with his unhurt hand impa tiently tapped his bandaged wrist.
 '.Ye still got yore right hand, hain' yer" demanded the boy. The othel laughed. It was a typical question. Sc long as one had the trigger finger Jeff one should not admit disqualification
 ''You see, Samson" he explained "this isn't precisely like handling a gun. One must hold the palette; mix the colors; wipe the brushes and do half a dozen equally necessary things. It requires at least two perfectly good hands. Many people don't find two enough"
 But hit only takes one ter do the paintin', don't hit?"
 "Yes."
 "Welf'-the bby spoke diffidently but with enthusiasm-"bet the two of us we've got three hands. reckon ye kin larn me how ter dc them other things fer ye.''
 Lescott's surprise showed in his face and the lad swept eagerly on.
 "Mabby hit hain't none of nay bust ness, but, all day yestiddy an the day befo', I was studyin' bout this here thing, an I hustled up an got thet corn weeded an now Pm through Ef I kin help ye out I thought meb by" He paused and looked appeal ingly at the artist
 Lescott whistled and then his face lighted into contentment.
 To-day, Samson," he announced "Lescott. South and Company get busy"
 It was the first time he had seer Samson smile, and, although the ex pression was one of sheer delight, in herent somberness loaned it a touch of the wistful.
 When. an hour later, the two set out, the mountain boy carried the par aphernalia and the old man standing at the door watched them If with a half-quiZzical, half-disapproving glance
 As the boy, with remarkable apti tude, learned how to adjust the easel and arrange the paraphernalia. Lescott sat drinking in through thirsty eyes 4 T. T