Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-11-25

mists hung s~plendidly to the ridges
and the sunset famed { his back.
Juanits never knew what details OF
the incident came to Old Miit's ears.
but when next the head OF the house
passed her on the road he spoke with
a diminished cordially. and when she
stopped him he commented: Il hear
ye're a-runnin' a Havey school over
thar now. Little Milt tells me ye
warned him offen yore place"
She tried to explain. and though he
pretended to accept all she said in
good humor. she knew in her heart
she had made a powerful and bitter
enemy.
One afternoon Anse Havey, wander
ing through the timber IN his W
side of the ridge, came upon a lone
hunter. and when he drew near it
proved to be young Milt McBriar.
"Mornin', Milt," said Havey. Il didn't
know We I've went huntin' over here"
The boy, who in feud etiquette was a
trespasser, met the scrutiny with a
level glance.
81 was a-gunnin' for boomers" he
said, using the local phrase for red
squirrels of the hills. Il reckon l
hain't hardly got no license ter go gun
min IN yore land"
Anse Havey sat down on a log and
looked up at the boy steadily. At last
he said gravely:
Hunt as much as We like, Milt, only
be heedful not to start no fires"
Milt nodded and turned to go, but
the older man called him back.
Il want to have a word with We,
Milt," he said soberly. Il amt never
heard that neither the McBriars nor
the Haveys countenanced settin' fire
to dwellin.houses, have you?"
Il don't know what We MEANS" re-
sponded the boy, and the gaze that
passed between them was that of two
men who can look direct into any eye.
81 lowed it would astonish ye," went
on Anse. Back of the new school.
house that's still full of shavin's an
loose timber there's a little stretch OF
dry woods that comes right down tc
the back door. Somebody has done
laid a trail Of shavin's an leaves in
the brush there an soaked 'em with
coal-oil. Some Teller aims to burn
down that schoolhouse tonight"
did We tell Miss Holland?" demand
ed Milt in a voice of deep anxiety.
mo, l amt named it to her." Bad
Anse said with seeming indifference
in his face, at which the lads BLOOD
boiled.
Does We aim ter set hyar an let hel
place git burnt up?" he snapped ou'
wrathfully. Because if We does,
don't"
Anse Havey laughed.
well. no." he replied; II didn't ain
to do that"
Suddenly he rose.
What | did aim to do, Milt, wal
this: | aimed to go down there tonigh
with enough fellers to handle eithe,
the fire or whoever starts it. aimee
to see who was dom a trick like that
VIII you go with me?"
"Me?" echoed Milt in establishment
This idea Of the two factions acting il
J consort was a decided innovation. l
) might be a trap. Suddenly the boy de
manded; why don't we ask pap?"
Il don't ask your pap nothing" II
Havey's reply was a quick and trucu
lent snap that rarely came into hi
/ voice. I'm askin' you, an you ca
take my proposition or leave 1t. Tha
house-burner is goin' to die. If he's on
of my people want to know it. If he
one of your people you ought to fee
the same way. Will you go with me?
The boy considered the proposal TO
a time in silence. Dawn would be il
danger! At last he said gravely:
Hit sounds like a fair proposition
I'll go along with We, an meantime II
keep my own counsel"