The Prescott daily news., 1914-07-24
PAYING THE PRICE By N. H. CROWELL.
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doorway and peered anxiously down ,he narrow pathway leading into the depths below. At her knees clung three toW-headed children - hectic checked, wild-eyed little girls-and the sound of half-stifled sobbing told of grief ranking in their childish bo- sons.
 After a careful scrutiny of the tin- Der far beneath. the woman turned and patted the girls heads reassur- ingly.
 When are we a-goin to eat mann" inquired the eldest, for perhaps the tenth time.
 When pap comes, child" came the weak response
 The woman's hollow cheeks flushed as she glanced swiftly toward the lit. tie cupboard in the corner-she knew it's bitter secret. Jim, her husband, also knew it when he descended that narrow path early in the morning.
 From the depths a whistle sounded up clear and keen, and the anxious
  tense, eager hope Nearer came the sound, and presently the crackle of branches brushed aside could be heard.
 'Lissy?" Twas q mans voice-ex- pectant-full of cheer
 "Jim!" That word spoke volumes The children darted away, and some where in the dark laughing, sculfling capture took place. The woman smiled slightly and turned quickly to her work-her preparations for a meal
 Boisterously the four entered the cabin, the children tugging at a wealth of packages clasped beneath the mans long arms. One stride took him to the table and he dropped his burden there. on, hastily, as though glld to have done with them.
 "Purty late. Lissy, by Jo," he said, Thought I never would git up them rocks beyend Coles fork. I'm clean tuckered."
 "Jim!' The word trembled pitiful- ly "Yuh hain't got no credit down yender have yuh, Iim?"
 No. Lissy, I haint."
 No money been a-comin in to yuh nowhere. Jim?"
 They raidod wll'cat this aftuh- noon, Lissy," he said. awkwardly.
 Who got took?" Twas a prompt, eager. ready query.
 Funk Sellers. heerd they ketched i'm"
 shore. Jim?" Yes. Lissy, I'm shore"
 She stopped and busied herself at the stoye-her eyes wide like those Of a hunted animal short time elapsed and the savory odor of frying meat dwelt fragrantly upon the air. The children circled clamorously about the table. expectant.
 Set up. Jim" said the woman, pres ently.
 He shook his head slowly.
 'I hain't hungry, Lissy"
 She did not argue the matter-her voice prevented 1t. The meal was
 
 stood before a cracked bit of looking glass that hung on the wall. Present ly he turned and dropped small packet into the woman's lap
 "Yuh thought git yuh better glass, Lissy. You will-wont yuh. gal?' He spoke tenderly. yet harshly.
 She dropped her fingers and they met the packet. The fingers instinc. lively closed over it. Her eyes studied the faded design in the oilcloth fiXedly. Upon little shelf stood battered clock. He picked it up and began winding 1t, after which he shook it to his ear. Replacing it, he stretched himself lazily-then kissed the little girls, beginning at the eldest.
 The woman's face was now buried In her apron. He put his broad hand upon her gray-Aecked locks, bent low and whispered
 "Lissy-w -woman-I-I'm goin." Silently he onened the door and stepped out out into the darkness. Crack! It came up, clear and crisp the sound of a rife.
 Shifless Jim had taken the price and law, as inscrutable as fate, or dained that he should return to the lonely mountain home no more for ever.
 (Copyrlgh)
 Patriotic Uncle Rod.