The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-06-24

brushes once more SclZ6U uliu, anu HU
took his place before the easel.
Neither he nor Lescott noticed man
who creDt down through the timber,
and for a time watched them. The
mans face wore surly, contemptuous
grin, and shortly it withdrew.
But, an hour later, while the boy
was still working industriously and
the artist was lying on his back, with
a pipe between his teeth, and his half
closed eyes gazing up contentedly
through the green OF overhead
branches, their peace was broken by
guffaw OF derisive laughter. They
looked up, to find at their backs semi
circle of scoffing humanity. Lescott's
impulse was to laugh, for only the
comedy OF the situation at the mo-
ment struck him. A stage director,
setting comedy scene with that most
ancient of jests. the gawking Of booos
at some new sight, could hardly have
improved on this tableau. At the front
stood Tamarack Spicer, the returned
wanderer. His lean wrist was stretched
out of a ragged sleeve all too short, and
his tattered Jimmy" was showed back
over face all a-grin. His eyes were
blood-shot with recent drinking. 0ut
his manner was in exaggerated and
cumbersome imitation OF a rural mas
ter Of ceremonies. At his back were
the raw-boned men and women and
children of the hills, to the number OF
a dozen.
Ladies and gentlemen" announced
Tamarack Spicer, In q hiccougnins
voice, Swing yo' partners an sashay
forward. See the only son Of the late
Henry South engaged in his mar-ve-
lous an heretofore undiscovered occu-
patton of dom fancy work. Ladies and
gentlemen, after this here show Is
concluded, keep your seats for the con-
cert in the main tent. This here IA
nous performer will favor we with q
little exhibition Of plain an fancy
sock-darnip'."
After the first surprise, Samson had
turned his back on the group. He was
mixing paint at the time and he pro-
ceeded to experiment with 6eeting
cloud effect. which would not outlast
the moment. He finished that, and.
reaching for the palette-knife, scraped
his fingers and wiped them on his
trousers legs. Then, he deliberately
rose.
Without a word he turned. Tama-
| rack had begun his harangue afresh.
The boy tossed back the long lock
from his forehead, and then, with
,, an Unexpectedly swift movement
crouched and leaped. His right fist
shot forward to Tamarack Spicers
chattering lips. and they abruptly
ceased to chatter as the teeth were
driven into their flesh. Spicer's head
snapped back, and he staggered against
the onlookers, where he stood rocking
on his unsteady legs. His hand swept
| instinctively to the shirt-concealed
holster, but, before 1t had connected
| both of Samson's fists were playing a
terrific tattoo on his face. The In
glorious master of the show dropped
and lay groggily trying to rise.
The laughter died as suddenly as
Tamarack's speech. Samson stepped
back again. and searched the faces OF
the group for any lingering sign OF
mirth or criticism. There was none
| Every countenance was sober and ex
pressionless. but the boy felt weight
fof unuttered disapproyal, and he glared
defiance One of the older onlookers
! nnoI-o ~ ,oOroa Nh f,1lly -..-
Samson, We hadn't hardly ought ter
| a-done that. He was jest a funnin
with ye."
Cit him up on his feet I've got
somethin' ter say ter him." The boys
voice was dangerously quiet. 1t was
his first word. They lifted the fallen
cousin, whose entertainment had gone
astray, and led him forward grumbling
| threatening and suffering. but evinc
| ing no immediate desire to renew hos
| tilities. -.-..
"Whar hev ye beenl" demanded
Samson.
"Thet's my business" came the IA
miliar mountain phrase.
why wasn't yer hyar when them
| dawgs come by? Why was ye the
only South tibet ruined away. wher
they was smellin' round fer Jesse
| Purvy's assassin"
81 didn't run away" Tamarack'i
! blood-shot eyes Jared wickedly. 81
knowed tibet eff I stayed round hyal
| with them damned Hollmans stickin
their noses inter our business, I'd hurt
somebody. So, I went over inter the
next county fer q spell. You fellers
| mout be able to take things often the
! Hollmans. but l hain't."
"Thet's a damned lie," said Samson
quietly. Eye ruined away, an ye
rum ed in the water so them dawgs
couldn't trail ye-ye done hit because
We shot them shoots at Jesse Purvy
| from the laurel-because ye're q truce
Dustin. murderin' bully tibet shoots of
| his face, an Is skeered to fight" Sam
son paused for breath, and went Of
with regained calmness. "Ive knowet
all along ye was the man. an I've kept
quiet because ye're my kin. II ye'rs
got anything else ter say, say hit. But
eff | ever ketches yer talkin' about me
or talkin' ter Sally, I'm a-goin' ter take
We by the scroh of the neck. an dras
We plumb into Hixon. an stick ye In
the jailhouse. An I'm a-goin' ter tel
the high sheriff that the Souths spits
We outen their mouths. Take him
away" The crowd turned and LEFT
the place. When they were gone, Sam
son seated himself at his easel again
and picked up his palette.