Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-02-25

mists hung splendidly to the ridges
and the sunset famed at his back.
Juanita never knew what details OF
the incident came to Old Milt's ears.
but when next the head Of the house
passed her on the road he spoke With
q diminished cordiality, and when he
stopped him he commented: Il / ear
ye're %a-runnin' a Havey school ever
thar now. Little Milt tells me ye
warned him often 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 on his own
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 dion.
know ye ever went huntin' over here"
The boy, who In feud etiquette was q
trespasser, met the scrutiny with q
level glance.
Il was a-gunnin' for boomers" ne
said, using the local phrase for red
squirrels of the hills. Il reckon
hain't hardly got no license ter go gun
min on yore land"
Anse Havey sat down on q log and
looked up at the boy steadily. At last
he said gravely:
Hunt as much as ye 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 ye
Milt," he said soberly. Il amt never
heard that neither the McBriars mol
the Haveys countenanced settin' fire
to dwellin'. houses, have your"
Il don't know what ye MEANS" re
sponded the boy, and the gaze thai
passed between them was that of tvs
men who can look direct into any eye
u lowed it would astonish ye," wen
on Anse. Back of the new school
house that's still full of shavin's an
loose timber there's a little stretch o
dry woods that comes right down I,
the back door. Somebody has dom
laid a trail Of shavin's an leaves II
the brush there an soaked 'em witt
coaloil. Some Teller aims to burr
down that schoolhouse tonight"
Did we tell Miss Holland? ?" demand
ed Milt in a voice of deep anxiety.
NO, l amt named it to her" Ba,
Anse said with seeming indifference,
In his face. at which the lads bloo'
boiled.
Does We aim ter set hyar an let he
place git burnt up?" he snapped GU
wrathfully. Because II We does.
don't"
Anse Havey laughed.
well, no." he replied; II didn't ain
to do that"
Suddenly he rose.
What l did aim to do, Milt. wa
this: / aimed to go down there tonigh
with enough fellers to handle eithe
the fire or whoever starts 1t. / Anne
to e who was doin' a trick. like tha
Will you go with met"
"Me?" echoed Milt in astonishmen'
This idea Of the two factions acting |
consort was a decided innovation.
might be a trap. Suddenly the boy d.
manded: why don't we ask pap?"
II don't ask your pap nothing" I
Havey's reply was a quick and true,
lent snap that rarely came into hi
voice. I'm askin' you. an you ca
take my proposition or leave 1t. Tht
house-burner is goin' to die. II he's on
Of my people I want to know it. II he
one of your people you ought to fe'
the same way. Will you go with me-
The boy considered the proposal #
a time In silence. Dawn would be
danger! At last he said gravely:
Hit sounds like a fair propositio,
I'll go along with We, an meantime I
keep my own counsel"