Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1916-01-21


Once more Old Milt led back a dis
gruntled faction with no more spirited
a program than to 90 home and bide
its time again. When they brought
Luke back to hang him. his friends
would have one final chance.
A seeming Of quiet. under which hot
wrath smoldered. settled over hill and
cove, but a new note began to run
through the cabins of the McBriar de-
pendents. II was . note of waning
faith and loyalty for their chief.
Old Milt read the signs and felt that
his dominion was now q thing upon
which decay had set its seal. and un-
der his grave face he masked a break
ing heart. His star was setting, and
since he was no longer young and ut
terly incapable OF bending. he sick
ened slowly through the wet winter.
and men spoke of him as an invalid.
With Milt "ailin'," there was no one
to take up the reins OF clan govern
ment, and those elements that had
been held together only by his iron
dominance began drifting asunder.
One mill day when q group Of Nc.
Briars met with their sacks Of grist at
a water-mill, someone put the ques-
ton: who's a-goin' ter go down thar
an take Luke Thixton away from Their
fiaveys now tibet Old Mills down an
out?"
There was long silence, and at last
0 voice drawled: Hit hain't goin
ter be me. What's Luke Thixton ter
me. anyhow? He didn't nuver lend
me no money"
Il reckon thar's . heap O sense In
thet," answered another. Pears
like, when I come ter recollect. mos
Of Their fightin' an fursin' I've done
in my time hain't been in my own
quarrels nohow." And slowly that
spirit spread.
When Anse Havey went over TO the
school one day Juanita took him again
to the rifle.rack. now once more well
filled. Have q look. my lord bar
barian," she laughed. Mars 10 pay.
ing me tribute. So shall 1t ever be
with tyranny"
Slowly. and one by one. Anse Havey
took up the pieces and examined them.
1T amt only Mars that's paying ye
tribute" he thought. but he only said:
That's all right. seem to see more
McBriar guns there than Havey guns.
1t would suit me all right II ye got
the last one of EN-"
Hadn't you as well hang yours
there. too?" she leased. I'm still
willing to give you the honors OF war"
But he only smiled. I'll hang mine
up last of all, I reckon. Luke Thix.
ton amt hung yet. and there's other
clouds a brewin' besides that"
What clouds?" she asked.
There was a bunch of surveyors
through here lately" he replied slow.
ly. They just sort of looked round
and went away. Some day they'll come
back"
And them"
Anse Havey shrugged his shoulders
II may need my gun" he said.
Not until it became certain that he
must die did Old Milt send for his son.
or even permit him to be told of his
illness. But just as the winters siege
was ending Young Milt came home.
and two days later the mountains
heard that the old feudist was dead.
Brother Anse Talbot and Juanita
and a doctor who had come from
Lexington were witnesses to that
leave-taking. They saw the old man
beckon feebly to the boy. Young Milt
came and sat on the edge of the bed,
schooling his features as he waited
the final injunctions which. by his
code. would be mandatory for life.
They all waited to hear the old lion
break out in a final burst of vindictive-
ness, to see him lay upon his boys
young shoulders the unfinished or
deals of his hatreds. But II was the
eye OF the father. not the feudist, that
gazed up from the pillow. His wasted
fingers lay affectionately on his sons
knee and his voice was gentle.
son." said the old man, I'D love
ter hev We live at peace Of ye kin. I've
done tried Their other way an hits kilt
me. I'd ruther ye'd let my fights be
buried along with my body. Anse
Haveys goin' ter run things in these
mountings. He's q smarter man than
me. I couldn't never make no peace
with Anse Havey, but the things that's
always stood betwixt US lays a long
way back. Mebby you an him mought
pull together an end Their feud.
leaves tibet with you; but hit took
death ter make me see hit"
Here he broke of exhaustedly. and
for time seemed lighting for breath,
At last he added: i've knowed all
along tibet Luke killed Fletch McNash.
| thought I'd ought ter tell ye."
A week after the death of the old
leader Young Milt rode over to the
house Of Anse Havey. and there he
found Jeb McNash. The two young
men looked at each other without ex-
preston. Just after the death Of his
father Jeb would not willingly have
renewed their quarrel. and a. for
Waning AIilt ha no longer felt rasent-