Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1916-01-12
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 log fire through long and lonely
evenings in -darkened cabin.
When Anse Havey called from the
| stile one night, the boy laid battered
| Blackstone on his thin knee and called
out: Come in, Anse, and pull up a
| 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, shiv-
cred as he slept with his forepaws
| stretched on the hearth and the two
men hitched their chairs nearer to the
| blaze. By the bed still stood the rifle
that had been Fletch's; the rife upon
| which the boys eyes always fell and
which to him was the symbol of his
duty.
AS Bad Anse Havey talked of the fu-
ture with all the instructive forceful-
LESS that he could command, the boys
set face relaxed, and into his eyes
came 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 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 can 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 sacrifices?" he repeated. 81
that. reckon 1 hain't skeered Of it. !"
81 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 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 We. Jeb. l told ye
that when Fletch's assassin came back
to the mountains I'd 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 witch that went across the
tight-closed lips which made no COM
ment.
"Jeb." he continued, 81 want We to
helm 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 Almightys
world, but don't ask me tibet, cause II
We does I've got ter deny ye."
az amt askin' ye to let the man go
unnunished. I'm only askin' you to let
me punish him with the law
ACCOMPLISHMENT was writ large In
averv feature Of jobs face. He stood
IN the wavering circle OF light wnlie
the shadows swallowed the corners OF
tho cabin. and wondered If he had
| heard rightly. At last his voice carried
. note of deep disappointment, and ne
snota az though unwilling to utter
such reasonable words.
81 reckon. Anse," he suggested ye
wouldn't hardly hev asked tnins iiAe
thet afore"-there was nesltatins
hoIt before he went on-"afore 1ur-
rim woman changed yore fashion Oh
lookin' at things.
Anse Havey felt his face REDEEM
and an angry retort rose to MS hps'
But the charge was true.
He went on as though JeD nao no'
spoken. .h.+ man
! comes ye'll hold your hand until 'he
cote has acted. - a,us
"Does We reckon Milt McBr1ar alns
Tar LOT sidering try kin OF hisF was
the next incredulous question.
Anse Havey's voice broke OUT OF ~