Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-11-04
CHAPTER VIII.

AS days grew into weeks Bad Anse
Aavey heard nothing of the establish
Ing Of 8 school at the head of Tribula-
tim, though all the gossip Of tho coun-
tryside which might interest a dicta-
tar filtered through the valleys to his
aoHse,
He smiled a little over the copy of
f%tufarCh'a Lives, which was the COM
Sanion Of his leisure moments, and
i's.ld his counsel. While he thought of
&ranita herself with a resentment
Which sprang from hurt pride, he felt
for her, aS a menace to his power, only
contempt.
But JuaHita's resolve had IN no wise
weakened. She had seen that her
original ideas had all been chaotic and
born OF ignorance, so she occupied her
aelf, line a good and patient general,
IN pnliAg all the pins out OF her little
@ar map and drafting a completely
new plan OF campaign.
With Good Anse Talbot she rode IN
d~indlng w~atercourses to the novels
OF the 'bFanch-water folks" and across
halls w~heresoever tho cry Of sickness.
OF distress called him, and since his
Introduction was an open sesame, she
found welcomes where she went.
And soon this figure, that walked
wsth an almost lyric grace, yet with a
sogish strength and ~litheness, became
fanaiIiar along the roads and trails.
Instead of asking, who mought tibet
seT' mountaineors nodded and said:
Theta her" and some women added:
God bless thet child"
she had been into many gloomy
cabins that repealed the brightness of
Uae summer sun, and she had been
more hike sunlight than anything that
lad ever come through their narrow
&oors before.
She sometimes rode over to the
cabin Of fetch McNash and brought
Iiftle Dawn back with her to spend a
day or two. The "furrin" girl and the
mountain girl wandered together in
the woods. and Dawn's difidence gave
way and her alteration grew. Twice
-Iaanita found another visitor at the
&cNash cabin-Bad Anse Havey. He
Tecognized her only with a naughty
sfpd, like that Of an Indian chief, and
she gave him in return a slight incli-
nation Of her head, accompanied by a
glance OF starry contempt in her violet
eyes. Yet, in the attitude of the noun
s~aaueers to the man, she saw such
haFo-Worship as might have been ac-
corded TO some democratic young
monarch walking freely among his
s0bjects.
Once Fletch said: "Ma'am, how's
gare school a-oomin' on? Air We git
tin things started ter suit ye?"
Juanita flushed.
mot yet" she answered. 'T'm try
Ing to get acquainted first. When |
10 start. | hope to make up for lost
time"
Fl reckon tibet school will be a right
good thing over thar; don't we low
70. Ange?" Fletch's good-natured
density had not recognized the hos
Etlity between his two guests.
Anse laughed quietly.
7 reckon" he said, 80 long as the
lady Just keeps on sayin' not yet thar,
won't be no harm done. l don't quar-
r@ with dreams"
The lady flushed, and a hot retort
rose to her lips, but she only smiled.
I'm biding my time, Fetch" she
assured him. my dream will come
true"
But for this dreams fulfllment she
must have land. There must be dormi-
tories for boys and girls, and play
grounds where muscles and brains,
grown slow from heavy harness, could
be ~quicEened. She fancied herself
listening to the laughter of children
who had not before learned to laugh.
But as she made inquiries Of land.
holders whom a price might tempt to
doll. she vas met everywhere with a
ynserve which puzzled her until a bare
footed and slouching farmer gave her
q u to les cause.
This man rubbed his brown toe in
Che dust and spoke In a lowered voice.
Il don't mind tellin' ye tibet I'd be
pinmb wiIlin' ter sell out an move"
His eyes ahone greedily as he added:
Fer a fair fgger, but l moughtn't live
ter NOV eft l sold out"
what do you mean?" she asked.
much puzzled.
Wall. I wouldn't hardly like ter hev
this travel back ter Bad Anse. but I've