Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-03-04

hO sums ~ treat NE that way.
The lieutenant sought vainly to dis
suade Callomb. but the next day the
captain rode forth. unaccompanied.
Curious stares followed him and Judge
Smithers turned narrowing and un.
pleasant eyes after him, but at the
point where the ridge separated the
territory Of the Hollmans from that of
the Souths he saw waiting in the road
mounted figure, sitting his horse
straight. and clad in the rough habili-
ments of the mountaineer.
AS Callomb rode up he saluted and
the mounted figure with perfect gray
ity and correctness returned that
salute as one officer to another. The
captain was surprised. Where had
this mountaineer with the steady eyes
. and the clean-cut jaw learned the
niceties of military etiquette?
Il am Captain Callomb Of F. COM
pany," said the officer. I'm riding
over to Spicer South's house. Did you
come to meet mel"
ITO meet and guide you." replied a
pleasant voice. my name is Samson
South"
The militiaman stared. This man
whose countenance was calmly
thoughtful scarcely comported with the
descriptions he had heard of the
wildcat Of the Mountains" the man
who had come home straight as a
storm-petrel at the first note Of the
tempest and marked his coming with
double murder. Callomb had been too
busy to read newspapers of late. He
had heard only that Samson had been
away"
While he wondered. Samson went
on:
I'm glad you came. II it had been
possible would have come to you.''
AS he told of the letter he had written
the Judge, volunteering to present him.
self as witness, the officers wonder
| grew.
They. said that you had been away,
suggested Callomb. IF it's not an i'm.
pertinent question, what part of the
mountains have you been visiting?"
Samson laughed.
mot any part of the mountains" he
said. I've been living chiefly in New
York-and for time in Paris"
Callomb drew his horse to a dead
halt
I'm the name of God" he incredu-
lousy asked, what manner of man
are your"
Il hope" came the instant reply, ut
may be summed up by saying that I'm
exactly the opposite of the man you've
had described for you back there at
Hixon"
Il knew it." exclaimed the soldier.
81 knew that was being fed on lies!
That's why I came. / wanted to get
the straight of it, and felt that the
solution lay over here"
| They rode the rest of the way in
deep conversation. Samson outlined
his ambitions for his people. He told,
too, of the scene that had been enacted
at Purvy's store. Callomb listened with
absorption, feeling that the narrative
bore automatic truth on its face.
At last he inquired:
did you succeed up there-as a
painter"
That's long road" Samson told
him, but l think had a fair start. |
was getting commissions when left
Then am to understand"-th Off
Ger met the steady gray eyes and put
the question like a cross-examiner
bullying a witness-"I am to under
stand that you deliberately put behind
you career to come down here and
herd these fence-jumping Sheep"
Hardly that" deprecated the head
of the Souths. "They sent for me-
that's all. OF course, l had to come"
"Why?"
Because they had sent. They are
my people"
The officer leaned in his saddle.
South" he said. would you mind
shaking hands with me? Some day
want to brag about it to my grandchil,
dren."
Callomb spent the night at the house
of Spicer South. He met and talked
with number of the kinsmen, and, II
he read in the eyes of some of them a
smoldering and unforgiving remem
brance of his unkept pledge, at least
they depressed all expression of cen
sure.
With Spicer South and Samson the
captain talked hong into the night. He
made many jottings in note book. He
with Samson abetting him, pointed out
| to the older and more stubborn man
the necessity of a new regime in the
mountains, under which the individual
could walk in greater personal safety
AS for the younger South, the officer
felt, when he rode away next morning
that he had discovered the one man
who combined with the courage and
| honesty that many of his clansmen
shared the mental equipment and local
influence to prove a constructive lead.
err.
When he returned to the Bluegrass
he meant OF have long and unofficial
talk with his relative, the governor.
The grand jury trooped each day to
| the courthouse and transacted its bust
ness. The petty juries went and came,
occupied with several minor homicide
cases. The captain, from chair,
which Judge Smithers had ordered
placed beside him on the bench, was
looking on and intently studying. One
morning, Smithers confded to him
without compensation is indicative of
| the snirit of co-onaratfon for the com-