The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-08-14
BLACK BETTY'S DOING
BY ELSA CRUMRINE

"HN H'iaH0Oio' IL NdS d matter
boundary lines that brought Al
the first bitterness between the 4,
lilies, and now the i'll feeling
spread over two generations n
third generation recognized and
spected the feud, although il no,
understood just why 1t was va,
while to make a lifelong fuss a.,
twelve inches OF running brook.
On the kenworth side th.re N,
only Rod left-ROd, who had tai,
the mOrtgaged homestead as his
heritance. Rod had to give IN
stables.
stables. He was bound to rejuyen,
these family acres and some day
bring the kenWOrth estate up IN
old prestige. So the red flag SWIM
above the stone gateway and Rod q,
his favorite horses led away BY
richer neighbors.
And Black Betty had to go, too. 4,
five hundred dollars was not to be
fused at this critical time Perrin,
Rod experienced an additional bit,s
ness that his mare went into m
hands of his traditional enemy M
he was courtesy itself to the colonel
Around at the Lineses' stable ALI
was caressing Black Bettys prett
head.
1T was dear of you. Uncle Danis
to buy her for me-" cried the gir
You and Aunt Martha have bss
lovely in every way since | came
live with you. Why, I've only bee,
here two weeks and you have ssov
cred blessings of every descripth
upon me-"
The colonel laughed grimly.
When a lonely old couple have
chance to entertain a niece whom the
have never seen before-why, there
A mighty likely prospect that sSs
going to have a good time"
Il am sorry for the unfortunat
neighbor who had to part with BlacI
Betty" she said.
The next morning Alice went 10
her first ride on the mare. The drl
was skillful horsewoman and Blac
Betty responded perfectly to her lightI
est touch. Quite unaware that sid
was turning toward Kenworth faruI
Alice took a narrow bride path In III
beech woods and gave Black Betty I
loose rein.
Suddenly the mare stopped shorl
and whinnied. Then, with a shrill cry]
she sprang forward and tore along thd
bride path toward her old home.
Vainly Alice tried to restrain the exl
cited animal. Black Betty put her
head down and shot like an arrow To
Us mark. At the end OF the bride
path was a barred gate. At the gate
Black Betty rose like a bird and sailed
over the barrier. almost riding down d
brOad-shouldered young man in The
garb of a farm hand.
Whoa, Betty! Whoa, grill" bel
shouted.
Alice, pale but composed, with her|
fair hair flying in the breeze, regard
ed the scene with amazement.
Il am sorry" said the man cour|
teously.
Il hope that Black Betty hasn't
frightened you"
Not at all" protested Alice. Them
she added: you have seen her BE-
fore?"
Il raised her." he said briefly His
arm slipped around Black Bettys|
neck and the animal playfully nibhed
his ear.
"Oh! How you must have hated TO-
part with her!" Alice flashed look
Of sympathy at the young man.
"She mustn't play this trick upon
you again." said Rod severely. Per
haps you were riding in the bride
path"
"Yes-and she bolted at once"
Rod led the mare to an inner gate.
stroked her glossy flank and with o
grave inclination of his head watched
the girl riding down the avenue.
When Alice reached home she went
at once to Aunt Martha's room. Aunt
Martha told her the story Of the
Lines-Kenworth feud.
"All that fuss over twelve inches Of
WORKOUT meadow land?" echoed Alice.
Why, how absurd"
Aunt Martha flushed. my dear.
you do not understand" she protest.
ed. 1T is the principle Of the thing
that counts, not the land. In fact
that twelve inches is not land at all,
but water. 1t really is that little
brook that runs along the dividing
line fence"
What are you going to do with the
brooke" asked Alice. feeling strange
ly sorry for Rod Kenworth.
"Why-nothing. Rod Kenworth
wanted II to irrigate his meadow land.
which is arid enough, goodness knows
but right Is right, my dear" she
ended weakly.
And so he had to sell his horse,
unused Alice, as she went to her room.
One day Colonel Lines and his wife
we're driving toward Pendleton. The
way led through the tall beech WOODS
and the horse idled along the pleas
ant road. Suddenly. along SIDE
bride patch, came Alice on Black
Betty and beside her Rod Kenworth
on his bony sorrel. Rods nand was
on Black Bettys fluffy name and MS
handsome face was turned toward
Alices downcast eyes.
Colonel Lines coughed in en- en-