Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1915-03-18

nous performer will favor We with a
little exhibition Of plain an fancy
sock-darnin'"
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 feeting
cloud effect. which would not outlast
the moment. He finished that, and,
reaching for the palette-knife, scraped
.Sil..ss:.s:li.-altGaSptkea tkeaa: r-ais
trousers legs. Then, he deliberately
rose. sfA
without 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 Spicer's
chattering lips, and they abruptly
ceased to chatter as the teeth we're
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 it had connected.
both of Samson's fists we're playing u
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 Df
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
of unuttered disapproval, and he glared
defiance. One of the older onlookers
spoke up reproachfully.
Samson, We hadn't hardly ought ter
a-done that. He was jest 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 sputtering, but evinc.
ing no immediate desire to renew hos
tilities.
"Whar hev ye been?" demanded
Samson.
"Thet's my business" came the ia
miliar mountain phrase.
"Why wasn't yer hyar when them
dawgs come by? Why was We the
only South thet runned away, when
they was smellin' round fer Jesse
Purvy's assassin?"
81 didn't run. away" Tamarack's
blood-shot eyes flared wickedly. 81
knowed thet eff l stayed round hyar
with them damned Hollmans stickin'
their noses inter our business, I'd hurt
somebody. So, went over inter the
next county fer a spell. You fellers
mout be able to take things often the
Hollmans, but hain't."
"Thet's damned lie," said Samson,
quietly. I've ruined away, an We
ruined 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 a truce
Dustin, murderin' bully thet shoots off
his face, an is skeered to fight" Sam
son paused for breath, and went on
with regained calmness. "I've knowed
all along ye was the man, an I've kept
quiet because ye're my kin. If yere
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
ye by the scroff of the neck, an drag
We plumb into Hixon, an stick We in
the jailhouse. An I'm a-goin' ter tell
the high sheriff that the Souths spits
ye outen their mouths. Take him
away" The crowd turned apd left