The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-25


on the small patch OF ground bought
from the Widow Everson. for In these
hills the raising OF house is q simple
thing which goes forward subject to
no delays OF striking workmen or
baking contractors. The usual type.
with its single room, may be reared
In a few days by volunteers who turn
their labor into a frolic. She lad owed
much to Jerry Everson ana 60 Good
Anse Talbot. for mad her building
force been solidly Of Havey or Nc
Bria- complexion the school would
henceforth have stood branded, IN ma.
tive eyes, a feud institution.
But Good Anse and Jerry. who were
tolerated by both factions, and were
gifted with a rough-hewn diplomacy
had known upon whom TO call, even
while they: had seemed to select at
random.
The cabin had been finished just be-.
fore the news came of the death OF
Fletch McNash. and Jerry Everson
had gone over with her to survey and
admire Il.
. AS he stood under the newly laid
roof, smiling the fresh, woody fra
grance OF the green timbers, he pro
duced from under his coat what looked
ike a giant powder-horn. He had
scraped and polished 1t until 1t shone
like varnish, and he hung 1t by it's
leather thong above the hearth.
What is II for, Jerry?" demanded
the girl, and with that he took 1t down
again and set 1t to his lips and blew
A mellow sound. not loud. but far.
carrying, like the fox-hunter's tally-ho
f1oated over the valley.
Our house haint more than a
whoop AMI a holler away" he said
swkwardly, "but when ye're livin' over
hyaf by yoreself, of ye ever wants any
thing In ther nighttime. Jest blow thet
horn"
After she had almost burst her
cheeks with effort, he added: Don't
never blow this signal onless ye wants
ter raise merry hell"
Then he initiated very low, through
pursed lips, three long blasts and
three short ones.
What's that signai?" she demand.
ed.
we've heered the McBriar YELL" he
told her. Tibet horn calls ther Havey
rallyin' signal. When thet goes out
every Havey thet kin tote a guns got
ter git up an come. Hit means war;"
Thank you. Jerry. I won't call the
Haveys to battle"
The night after she had flung ner
challenge down to Bad Anse Havey
Juanita stayed at the McNash cabin
TO be with Dawn and the widow. The
next day she went with them to the
mountainside "buryin'-ground," where
Good Anse performed the last rites for
the dead.
After II was all over, and Il had been
decided that the widow was to take
the younger children up Meeting
house fork to live with a brother, the
missionary and the teacher started
back. Jeb was to stay here alone to
run the tarm. and when Juanita re-
turned to,the ridge Dawn went with
her.
they were passing tumbling wa
terfall. shrunken now to q trickling
rill. when Dawn broke the long silence
Wunst, when l war q leetle GAL"
she said. "Unc' Perry war abiding out
up that branch from ther revenuers.
used ter fotch his victuals up thar ter
him"
Juanita turned suddenly with q
shocked expression. 1t was as il her
little songbird friend had suddenly and
violently reverted; as il the flower had
turned to poison weed. And as Jua-
nita looked Dawn's eyes were blazing
and Dawn's face was as dark as her
black hair-dark with the same ex-
preston which brooded on her broth
or's brow.
What is IL, dear?" Juanita asked.
and In tense and fiery voice the
younger girl exclaimed:
Il wishes / war a man. wouldn't
walt and set still like Jeb's doin'. BY
heaven, I'D git thet murderer. Id cut
his heart, ,outen his body"
Il tole ye," quietly commented
Brother Anse. 'thet ther instincts I'm
ther blood. Anse Havoy went down
ter Frankfort an set In ther legislator
but he come back ther same man
thet went down. Somethin' called
him. Somethin' calls ter every noun
tain man thet goes away. an he bark.
ems ter ther call"
"Anse come back" repeated Dawn
triumphantly. AN Anse is hyar. Ell
Jeb sets thar an don't do nothin',
reckon Anse Havey won't hardly let
hit 90 by without doin' nothin'. Thank
heaven, thar's some men left In ther