Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-03-10
CHAPTER Xxx.

There still remained the task Of
winning young jobs assent to his plan
and Anse Havey foresaw a stubborn
battle there. Jeb had been reading
law that winter; reading by the light
OF q log fire through long and lonely
evenings in a smoke-darkened cabin.
When Anse Havey called from the
stile one night. the boy laid a battered
Blackstone on his thin knee and called
out: Come in, Anse, and pull up @
cheer"
Anse had been rehearsing his argu
ments as he rode through the sleet
dashed hills, and he was deeply trou.
bled.
The man and the boy sat on either
side of the fireplace. Penetrating
gusts swept in at the broken thinking
and up through the warped floor until
old Beardog, lying at their feet, SHY.
cred as he slept with his forepaws
stretched on the hearth and the two
men hitched their chairs nearer to the
blaze. Blythe bed still stood the rifle
that had been Fletch's; the rifle upon
which the boys eyes always fell and
which to him was the symbol Of his
duty.
AS Bad Anse Havey talked Of the flu.
ture with all the instructive forceful.
LESS that he could command, the boys
set face relaxed. and Into his eyes
came a CLINT Of eagerness, because he
himself was to play no small part In
these affairs.
Into his heart crept the first burning
Of ambition, the first reaching out
after a career. He saw a future open.
Ing before him, and his grave eyes
were drinking in pictures in the live
embers.
Then, when ambition had been kin
died. the older man preached the topic
which was the crux of his plea.
THE man that a do things for the
mountains must be willin' to make a
heap Of sacrifices, Jeb." he said.
Jeb laughed. looking about the bare
room Of his cabin.
MEX sacrifces?" he repeated. Il
hain't never knowed nothin' else but
that. reckon l hain't skeered of It,"
Il didn't mean that way, Jeb." Anse
spoke slowly, holding the boy with his
eyes, and something OF his meaning
sank in SO that the lads lean face
again hardened.
"Nothin' KANT stand between me an
what I've got ter do. Anse," he said
slowly. He did not speak now with
wild passion. but calm finality. I've
done took Their oath"
For a while Anse Havey did not re-
ply. At last he said quietly: Il reckon
we've got rid Of the idea that | was
Amin to deceive ye, Jeb. ! told we
that when F1etch's assassin came back
to the mountains Id let we know. I'm
goin' to keep my word"
Jeb rose suddenly from his chair
and stood with the fire lighting up his
ragged trousers and the frayed sleeves
of his coat.
Air he back now" he demanded.
Anse shook his head.
Not yet, Jeb; but he's coming" He
saw the twitch that went across the
tight-closed lips which made no com.
ment.
"Jeb," he continued, Il want ye to
help me. | want we to be big enough
to put by things that It's hard to put
by"
The boy shook his head.
"Anse," he replied slowly, TASK me
ter do anything else in God Almighty's
world. but don't ask me tibet, cause II
we does I've got ter deny ye,"
II amt askin' We to Let the mar go
unpublished. I'm only askin' you to let
me punish him with the law"
Astonishment was writ large in
every feature OF jobs face. He stood
In the wavering circle of light while
the shadows swallowed the corners OF
the cabin, and wondered II he had
heard rightly. At last his voice carried
a note Of deep disappointment. and he
spoke as though unwilling TO utter
such reasonable words.
II reckon. Anse," he suggested. ''ye
wouldn't hardly hev asked a thing like
tibet afore"-there was a hesitating
halt before he went on-"afore a fur
rim womau changed yore fashion of
lookin' at things"
Anse Ilavey felt his face redden,
and an angry retort rose to his lips.
But the charge was true.
He went on as though Jeb had not
spoken.
"All | ask is that when that man
comes yell hold your hand until the
cote has acted
Does We reckon Milt McBriar aims
ter let Sidering try kin OF his?" was
the next incredl lous question.
Anse Havey's voice broke out Of its