The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-08-11

gosh, Bill, every man or EN- can shoot
a gnat's eyelash OF at four hundred
yards--l wisht | may drap dead ef
they CANT! 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
to 90, Bill, sence we've got oncyor-
able case O. the disease knowed as
coal-on- the-brain. But / can tell ye
aforehand. you amt got enough money
to buy that coal, don't matter how
much money we'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
spoke again:
"The gyurl. or the coal--is that
what's a-botherin' ye. Bill?"
Dale's eyes twinkled. Must choose
between them7" he laughed
"Shore!" BY Heck wasn't even snll-
ing. "Shorel The Morelands and
Littlefords hates each other wuss nor
blue-talled hawk hates crow. The
gyurl, or the coal, Bill?"
"We1l go down to John Moreland's.-
announced Dale.
The mountaineer took up his rife.
Let me gi' We word or two o. warn
in" he continued seriously Don't
you offer to pay John Moreland fo'
eatin' his grub, nor 70 sleepin in his
bed, nor 70 chawin' his tobacker. III
We do, yore goose will shore be cooked
with John Moreland. But ef ye was
TO brag on the vittles a little, Johns
wife a-bein' pow'ful handy in the
kitchen, 1t wouldn't do a DANCED bit
o. harm. Do ye understand 1t all now.
| Billf"
Dale nodded, and they began the de-
scent.
John Morelands 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 chimney of stones and
clay rose at either end.
John Moreland himself sat on the
front porch, and beside him lay re-
peating rifle. two young squirrels that
had been very neatly shot through the
head, and weary black-and-tan
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 fneness 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
Eli, john" grinned Heck. This
here feller wants 10 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.".
lie FASTENED into the cabin, carrying
the squirrels with him.
"He's went to tell his wife to hatch
up extry good dinner, Bill" whis-
pered Heck. "Pepper-cyored ham
young chicken, hot biscuits, fresh but.
ter, wild honey. huckleberry pie and
peach pie and strawberry preserves
Bill. CANT hardly stand 1t. Blast my
picture ef l couldn't eat two whole
raw dawgs right now, I'm that ding
busted hongry. Well, got to ramble
on home. live down the river half Q
mile, we and my nav. Come to Sc,
me, Bill. and Wen go a-ishin'. S,
long, Bill old boy"
John Moreland returned presently
The man from the city rose and prof
fered his hand.
MY name" he began. old habi
strong upon him, "is Carlyle"
Before he could get any farther will
II, John Moreland flung the hand from
him as though 1t were thing OF un
speakable contamination. His bearded
face went deathly white with tn,
His great fists clenched, and ever.
, muscle in his giant body trembled.
whats the matter. manT Dali
wanted to know.
, "Carlylew Moreland repeated in
hoarse growl. "You say yore name 4
Carlylew
! Yes" wonderingly. but that's onl
part OF 1t. My name is Carlyle VII
burton Dale-Bill Dale. What's tn
, matter?"
"Did you come from West VII
( ginnyT sharply.
I Dale gave the name OF his hom
town and state.
? That's dif'rent." The mountain
e eer's countenance became lighter
"rhis man I'm a-thinkin' about. h
{ was from West Virginny. | hope yo
' won't hold nothin' ag'in me TO- actir
. up that away. couldn't hep IL, shor,
4 il seems. iou'll know how felt whe
e l tell ye about 1t, Mr.. Dale. l owe
I 60 ye TO explain. Jest a minute"
$ lie stepped into the cabin an