The Pulaskian., 1921-07-28

gosh, Bill, every man of 'em can shoot gnat's eyelash off at four hundred yards-I wisht 1 may drap dead ef they cain't! Do ye see that big cabin right plumb in the middle O the nigh half O the settlement, Bill? Well, the boss O the Morelands he lives thar John Moreland. That's whar you want 1 to go, Bill, sence ye've got q oneyor- able case O the disease knowed as coal-on-the-brain. But l can tell ye aforehand, you ain't got enough money to buy that coal, don't matter how much money ye've got" | Dale was not looking toward John Moreland's home now. His gaze had wandered to the other side of the river. By Heck waited a full minute for a reply to his speech then he i spoke again:
 ''The gyurl or the coal--is that what's a-botherin' ye, BillT'
 Dale's eyes twinkled. Must 1 choose between them?" he laughed.
 "Shore P By Heck wasn't even smil- ing. shore! The MoreIands and Littlefords hates each other wuss nor blue-tailed hawk hates crow. The gyurl, or the coal, Bill?"
 Well go down to John Moreland's," ]" announced Dale
 The mountaineer took up his rifle. Let me gi' ye word or two O warn- l in," he continued seriously. Don't 1 you offer to pay John Moreland fo' eatin his grub, nor fo' seepin' in his bed, nor fo' ehawin' his tobaeker. If ye do, yore goose will shore be cooked with John Moreland. But ef ye was to brag on the yittles a little, Johns wife a-bein' pow'ful handy in the kitchen, it wouldn't do danged bit O harm. Do ye understand it all now, BinY"
 Dale nodded, and they began the de- scent.
 John Moreland's house was built of whole oak logs. which were chinked with oak splits and daubed in between with clay; the roof was of handmade ] boards, and a chimney of stones and clay rose at either end.
 John Moreland himself sat on the front porch, and beside him lay re- beating rifle, two young squirrels that had been very neatly shot through the head, and weary black-andrtan hound. He was an uncommonly big man, and about forty-seven; his eyes were gray and keen his thick hair and full beard were a rich brown, with only a few. threads of white. There was a certain English fineness about the man. One felt that he could trust John Moreland.
 As the moonshiner and his compan- ion reached the gate Moreland rose and pushed his hat back from his fore head
 Hi, John," grinned Heck This here felIer wants to stay with ye a few days, John. Seems to be all right.
 Come right in," invited the chief of the Morelands. He indicated the homemade chair he had just vacated. ''Set down thar and rest, stranger. I'll be back in minute or SO"
 He hastened into the cabin, carrying l the squirrels with him.
 
 up a extry good dinner, Bill" whis- pered Heck. "Pepper-cyored ham, young chicken, hot biscuits, fresh but ter, wild honey, hucllleberry pie and peach pie and strawberry preserves Bill, l eain't hardly stand it. Blast my picture eff 1 couldn't eat two whole raw dawgs right now, I'm that ding busted hongry. We'll, l got to ramble on home. l live down the river half q mile, We and my nav. Come to see me, Bill and we'll go a-fshin'. So long, Bill old boy"
 John Moreland returned presently. The man from the city rose and prof fered his hand.
 My name," he began, old habit strong upon him, lis Carlyle"
 Before he could get any farther with it. John Moreland flung the hand from him as though it were a thing of un- | speakable contamination. His bearded face went deathly white with the whiteness of an old and bitter hatred His great fists clenched, and every muscle in his giant body trembled.
 Whats the matter, man?' Dale wanted to know.
 "Carlyle!" Moreland repeated in a hoarse growl. You say yore name is Carlylel !"
 Yes" wonderingly, "but that's only part of it. My name is Carlyle Will burton Dale-Bill Dale. Whats the matter?'
 "Did you come from West vir- ginny?" sharply.
 Dale gave the name of his home town and state.
 That's dif'rent." The mountain eer's countenance became lighter. This man Pm a-thinkin' about, he was from West yirginny. 1 hope you won't hold nothin' ag'in me fo' actin up that away. l couldn't hep it. shore, it seems. You'll know how l felt when tell ye about it, Mir. Dale. I owe 1t