The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-04-02

- W W II LII JuN S'lCl -luS-
loment hers? Are you holding a
oO under re state Of Kentucky, or I'M
der i Gilman faction of this feud?
am :.Structed to take my orders
rom you Will you kindly tell me my
nasters raj name?"
5nIithers turned pale with anger,
Nis fighting face grew as truculent as
bulldogs, while Callomb stood glar-
ing back at him like second bulldog,
but the judge knew that he was being
honestly and fearlessly accused. He
merely pointed to the door. The cap
tain turned on his heel and stalked
cut of the place, and the judge came
down the steps and crossed the street
to the courthouse. Five minutes later
he turned to the shirt-sleeved man who
was leaning on the bench and said in
his most judicial voice:
Mr.. Sheriff, open court"
The next day the mail carrier
brought in a note for the temporary
Judge. His honor read it at recess and
fastened across to Hollman's Mann
moth Department Store. There, in
council with his masters, he asked in
stTuctions. This was the note:
THE Hon. Asa Smithers.
Sir: | arrived in this county yes
terday, and am prepared, if called as
a witness, to give to the grand jury
flu! and true particulars of the murder
of Jesse Purvy and the killing Of Aaron
Hollis, am willing to come under the
escort of my own kinsmen, or the mill
tiamen, as the court may advise.
The requirement of any bodyguard
l deplore, but in meeting my legal OBJ
legations, l do not regard it as neces-
sary or proper to walk into trap.
Respectfully,
SAMSON SOUTH"
Smithers looked perplexedly at
Judge Holman.
Shall have him Gomez" he in
CURED.
Holman threw the letter down on
his desk with burst of blasphemy:
Have him Gomez" he echoed. Hell
ana damnation no! What do we want
HIM to come here and spill the milk
for? When we get ready, We'll indict
him. Then, let your damned soldiers
20 after him-as criminal, not a
witness. After that, we'll continue this
case until these outsiders go away,
and we can operate to suit ourselves
We don't fall for Samson Souths
tricks. No, sir; you never got that
letter! 1t miscarried, Do you hear?
} You never got it."
Smithers nodded grudging acQui'
escence. Most men would rather be
independent officials than collar-wear-
erS.
Out on Misery Samson South had
gladdened the soul of his uncle with
his return. The old man was mending,
and, for a long time, the two had
talked. The failing head of the clan
ooked vainly for signs of degeneration
in his nephew, and, failing to find
them, was happy.
"Hev We decided, Samson" he in
CURED tibet We was right in yer no
ton, bout goin' away?"
Samson sat refectively for while,
then replied;
1--WE were both right, Uncle Spicer-
and both wrong. This is my place,
but if I'm to take up the leadership it
> must be in a different fashion. Changes
are coming. We can't any longer stand
STILL"
!, Spicer South lighted his pipe. He,
y too, in these last years, had seen in
> the distance the crest Of the oncoming
lwave.
, 81 reckon there's right smart truth
to that" he acknowledged. 1--WE been
, studyin' bout hit consid able myself of
. late. Thar's been sev'ral fellers
2 through the country talkin' coal an
timber an railroads-an' SIGH like"
!, Sally went to mill that Saturday,
, md with her rode Samson. There, be-
sides Vile McCager, he met Caleb
, Wiley and several others. At first,
, hey received him skeptically, but they
. Knew of the visit to Purvy's store, and
g they were willing to admit that in part
, It least he had erased the blot from
. MS escutcheon. Then, too, except for
i, cropped hair and white skin, he had
! come back as he had gone, in home
, spun and hickory. There was nothing
, highfalutin in his manners. In short,
. the impression was good.
} 81 reckon now that ye're back,
t Samson" suggested McCager, AN see
in how yere Uncle Spicer is gettin'
! along all right, I'll jest let the two of
t We run things. I've done had enough.
1t was simple fashion of resigning
regency, but effectual.
) Old Caleb, however, still insurgent
/ and unconvinced, brought in a minor
ity report.
t 1--WE wants fightin' men," he grum-
bled, with the senile reiteration of his