Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-14

gonebedy 49, ~ sshoota 1ua ~
laurel. PuIvSy hain't ~ w
!. N. Some Gays . how his f0lks.
has cent ter Lexington fer blood.
hounds"
The boys eyes began 70 smolder
hatefully.
II reckon" he spoke slowly, he
didn't git shot none too soon."
"Samson!" The old mans voice had
the ring Of determined authority.
when l dies yen be the head OF the
Souths. but 80 long ca I'm a-rpnnias
this hyar family keeps my word ter
friend an foe alike. reckon Jesse
Purvy knows who got y0re pap, but
up till now no South hain't never
busted no truce"
The boys voice dropped its softness
and took on shrill crescendo OF ex-
element as he flashed out his retort.
"Who eaid South has done busted
the truce this timer"
Old Spicer South gazed searchingly
at his nephew.
Il. hain't a-wantin' ter suspicion W.
Samson. but know how We feels
about yore pap. heered tibet Bud
Spicer come by hyar yistiddy plumb
full OF liquor an lowed he'd seen
Jesse an Jim Asberry a-taikin' ter.
gether jest afore yore pap was kilt"
He broke OF abruptly, then added:
Eye went away from hyar last night,
an didn't git in twell after sunup-l
Just heered the news, an come ter
look fer ye."
AIR you-all lowin' tibet shot them
shoots from the laurel?" inquired Sam.
son, quietly.
"Ef veal hain't 'lowin' hit. Sam
son, we're plumb shore thet Jesse
Purvy's folks will low hit They're
Jest a-holdin' yore life like hostage
fer Purvys, anyhow. Ell he dies they'll
try ter git We"
The boy flashed challenge about
the group. which was now drawing
rein at Spicer south's yard fence. His
eyes were sullen. but he made NO an.
swer.
One OF the men who had listened IN
silence now spoke:
"ln the fust place, Samson, we hain't
a-sayin' ye done hit In the mex place,
ef ye did do hit we hain't a-blamin'
ye-much. But l reckon them dawgs
don't lie. an. ef they trails in hyar
yen need u. Thet's why we've done
come"
The boy slipped down from his mule
and helped Lescott to dismount. He
deliberately unloaded the saddlebags
and kit and laid them on the top step
Of the stile. and. while he held his
peace, neither denying nor Affirming,
his kinsmsn sat their horses and
waited.
Even to Lescott It was palpable that
some OF them believed the young heir
to clan leadership responsible for the
shooting Of Jesse Purvy. and that
others believed him innocent. yet mono
the less in danger Of the enemy's ven
geance. But, regardless Of divided
opinion. all were alike ready to stand
at his back and al alike awaited his
nnal utterance.
Then, in the thickening gloom. Sam.
son turned 1t tho foot OF the stilo
and faced the gathering. He stood
rigid, and his eyes flashed with deep
passion. His hands. hanging 1t the
seams Of his jeans breaches. cfinched.
and his voice came in . slow utter.
ance through which throbbed the ten.
sity Of Soul-absorbing bitterness.
Il knowed al bout Jesse Purvy's
be!n' shot. When my pap lay
a-dyin' over thar q his house was
little shaver ten years old
Jesse Purvy hired somebody ter kill
him an promised my pap
that I'd nnd out who tibet man VS..
an tibet I'd git 'em both-some day.
So help me. God Almighty, I'm a-soin'
ter git 'em both-some day." The
boy paused and lifted one hand ~
though taking an oath.
I'm a-tellin' you-all the truth i.
But didn't shoot them shoots this
mornin'. I hsin't no truce buster. !
| gives 70 nay hand on hit Ef
| them dawgs come hyar they'll md me
hyar. an ef they hain't liars they'll
20 right by hyar. don't low ter run
away, an / don't low ter hide out. I'm
a.goin' ter stay right hyar. Thet's AL
I've got ter say ter We"
For q moment there was no reply.
| Then the older man nodded with .
gesture Of relieved anxiety.
"Thet's all We wants ter know. sam
son." he said, slowly. Light. men an
come In"
ITO Be Continued.)