The Huttig news., 1915-01-09


 under You may not realize it, but that is true. It is written.
 The boy had listened intently, but at the end he smiled, and in his expres- sion was something of the soldier who scents battle, not without welcome.
 "I reckon if these here fellers air a-comin' up here ter run things, an drowned out my folks, hits a right good reason fer me ter stay here-an' holp my folks"
 By staying here, you can't help them. 1t won't be work for guns, but for brains. By going away and com ing back armed with knowledge, you can save them. You will know how to play the game.
 T reckon they won't git our land, her our timber, ner our coal, without we wants ter sell hit. l reckon ef they tries thet, guns will come in handy. Things has stood here like they is now, fer hundred years. 1 reckon we kin keep 'em that-away fer a spell longer" But it was evident that Samson was arguing against his own belief; that he was trying to bolster up his resolu tion and impeached loyalty, and that at heart he was sick to be up and go- ing to world which did not despise "eddication." After little, he waved his hand vaguely toward down be- low"
 'Ef I went down thar" he questioned suddenly and irrelevantly, would I hevs ter cut my ha'r?"
 My dear boy" laughed Lescott, can introduce you in New York studios to many distinguished gentlemen who would feel that their heads had been shorn if they let their locks get as short as yours. In New York. you might stroll along Broadway garbed in turban and burnouse without great ly exciting anybody. I think my own hair Is as long as yours
 Because" doggedly declared the mountaineer, "I wouldn't allow nobody ter make me cut my ha'r."
 Why" questioned Lescott, amused at the stubborn infection.
 'I dent hardly know why" He paused, then admitted with glare as though defying criticism: Sally likes hit that-away-an' I w1A't let nobody dictate ter me, that's all.
 The leaven was working, and one night Samson announced to his uncle from the doorstep that he was study in erbout goin' away fer a spell. an seein the world"
 The old man laid down his pipe. He cast reproachful glance at the painter, which said clearly, though without words:
 II have opened my home to you and offered you what 1 had. yet in my old age you take away my mainstay."
 ''I lowed you was a-studyin erboIt thet. Samson.' he said. at last. I've done ther pest fer ye I knowed- kinder lowed thet from now on ye'd dc the same fer me. I'm gittin' along in years right smart.
 Uncle Spicer," interrupted the boy. "l reckon ye knows thet any time ye needed me I'd come back"
 The old mans face hardened.
 "Ef ye goes" he said almost sharp ly, "f won't never send fer ye. Any time ye ever wants ter come back, ye knows ther way Thar'll be room an victuals fer ye hyar."
 ''i reckon I mout be a heap more useful ef l knowed more."
 I've heerd fellers say that afore. Hit hain't never turned out thet way with them what has left the mount ings. Mebby they gets more ueseful, but they don't git useful ter us. Either they don't come back at all, or mebby they comes back full of newfangled mo- tions-an' ashamed of their kinfolks. Thet's the way, I've noticed. hit gen. ally turns out"
 Samson scorned to deny that such might be the case with him, and was silent After time, the old man went on again in a weary voice, as he bent down to loosen his brogans and kick them noisily off on to the floor:
 The Souths hev done looked to ye a good deal Samson. They lowed they could depend on ye. Ye hain't quite twenty-one yet, an l reckon 1 could refuse ter let ye sell yer prop'ty. But char hain't no use tryin' ter hold feller when he wants ter quit. Ye don't low ter go right away, do yer"
 "I hain't plumb made up my mind ter go at all,' said the boy, shame facedly. But, ef l does go, I hain't a-goin yit. l hain't spoke ter nobody but you about hit yit''
 Lescott felt reluctant to meet his hosts eyes at breakfast the next morn ing, dreading their reproach, but, if Spicer South harbored resentment, he meant to conceal it, after the stoic's code There was no hint of constraint in his cordiality Lescott felt. however. that in Samson's mind was working the leaven of that unspoken accusa- ticn of disloyalty. He resolved to make final play, and seek to enlist Sally in his cause. If Sally's hero-wor- ship could be made to take the form of ambition for Samson, she might be brought to reliEquish him for a time. and urge his going that he might re- turn strengthened He went down to the creek at the hour when he knew