The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-15
BREAKING II TO SAM
By GEORGE BINGHAM.


allie. I'm goin' to ask you once
more 70 marry me- I've got farm
evc~ yonder In that river-bottom.
There's a house there! it's well fitted
up for me and yoa-not for me and
somebody else"
Sam, know you hare waited for
me and l couldn't decide, but now |
have decided; I'll go and be your
wife. III go"
when will II ee. Ailie7 Tonight"
mo, not tonisht--but the next day
after Thanksgiving
Sam was HAPPY and went to His
] bona
The morning WAS cold. and the big
fakes OF SHOW drtfted through the
keen air and settled on the frozen
ground. 1t was Thanksgiving and the
day was good for killing hogs.
Before snn-up Dock Hin built fires
under the big kettles down in the
horse lot and the neigh hors came over
10 help hirn The neighbor women
wrapped shawis around their heads
and fiocked TO the house 70 assist
Docks wife IN preparing the big din
ner.
That morning Sam went across the
Geld to Dock Eilfs When he arrived
there other men were standing around
the roaring fire bailt between Two
large logs. upon which rested the
scalding kettles with dtrty-looking
!. water
Sam came through the patch Of
weeds sod climbed the rail fence.
" Were wattin' fer you. The waters
gettin' hot" some one called. Then
this same person in lower tone spoke
TO those around him: I wonder IL
he's heered the news yet / wonder
how he's gotn' to take IT.
You tell him. jim
jim Carpenter spoke up. Sam,
have you heerd The news?ss
mo. vhut is ii
why, didn't you heer about Allie
, and Ben Tilimsn running away last
night"
Sam never moved-but his face
changed color. changed from healthy
red to sickly pale.
Dock, 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 aud
after he was out OF hearing one Of the
men spoke up say. Sam don't seem
to keer q durn II Allie did run of
with that other feIler, does her"
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 one
CT 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 home and
!. Haddied bis horse. Slowly down ths
Y 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 it's rider, with a long
pistol In one hand. started the people
living In sight OF the road with shots
and wild whoops.
-did-yotf--ev-er!" an old
woman exclaimed. III that amt Sam
Williams. Who'd a thought It? Never
nav him that way before. and I 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 Hi 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 II snow so
brisk. Hi, whnts that big light see
over to'ards Sam Williams house
Gimme my hat I'm gone: SAINTS house
- 1nre!"
gfss Away across the hills toward the
I river bottom huge light made q hole
IN the darkness.
s@~.~ Dock drew near to the house of Sam
sWilliams and saw the red flames and
s2sparkladen smoke rise up In the
hight, and heard the roof OF the house
falling. Nearly breathlees he ran up.
Rnd there on the yard fence he saw
Sam Williams sitting with a gun in
his hand.
~ go back home. Dock This Ia my
house and I've got right 10 do as /
IKE Go back, go back"
After the fire In the building wac
sheyond control of anyone who might
want to interfere, Sam took his horse
from the stable, started a fire in the
large hayIoft and galloped away down
the road on his gteed. There are PEG
pie in this community who heard the
toofbeats Of Sans horse as he swept
down the road that night, but there
are none who have seen him since.
A. tcopyYight. by Daily Story Pua Coz