Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1921-08-26


1t was, he declared, one of the best
propositions he had ever seen. 1t
was no wonder that Henderson Gon
was determined to get possession OF
it, he said.
Then they went to work.
BY sundown two days later they had
chosen the route for the narroW-gauge
railroad and set stakes accordingly.
Hayes told his general manager that
with a good force OF men the last rail-
could be put down within two months.
During those two days they had
several times seen Henderson CON In
company with Black Adam Ball and
some Of his relatives. Once they had
come upon Golf talking earnestly with
Saul Littleford, the big, bearded, gaunt
brother Of the Littleford chief. Hayes
reminded Dale OF this, and said to
him further:
"Goff will have the Littlefords on
his side the first thing you know
Maybe some of the Littlefords, as well
as some of the Balls, knew about this
mountain by states grant at few cents
per acre. If you'll take my advice, MIR.
Dale, you'll make friends Of these two
sets Just as quick as you can"
Dale thrust his hand-ax inside his
belt and turned to the mining expert
"D'you know, was thinking OF that
same thing when you spoke" he re-
piled. "And l believe can manage 1t,
now that Miss Littleford's accidental
wounding has given the old feud such
a big blow. Pm fairly sure can man
age it so far as Ben Littleford is con-
cerned; it's John that's going to be
hard to bring to taw. He should be
home this evening, If he's had good
luck, and I'll tackle him as soon as he
comes"
Together they started across David
Moreland's mountain, walking rapidly,
with Dale leading.
Darkness came down on them when
they had covered half the distance.
The great hemlocks and poplars
loomed spectral and gaunt in the early
thickets of laurel and ivy whispered
uncanny things, and their seas Of pink
and snowy bloom looked somehow
ghostly. Now and then there was the
pattering of some little animals feet
on the dry, hard leaves of bygone
years. A solitary brown owl poured
out it's heart in weird and melancholy
cries to the night It loved. There was
the faint, far-off baying Of a hound,
and the soft swish OF a nighthaWk'S 8
wings.
Men FROM the core Of civilization
must feel these things Of the wilder
Suddenly Dale drew back and stood
still. In the trail ahead, standing as
mOtiOnlesS as the trees about him, was
the tall figure of a man. 1t was almost
as though he were there to bar the
way.
The two went on slowly. The figure
didn't move. Dale spoke, and the form
came to life. 1t was BY Heck; he was
leaning On the muZzle Of his rifle.
Its you, is it, Bill, old boy?" He
yawned sluggishly. II was a-waitin
here TO you. l reckon l must ha'
went to sleep a-standin' here on my
feet! I've got news, Bill"
"Out with it,"
1--WE been a-traiIin' Henderson Gotf
all day." Heck said in guarded tones
He's shore got them lowdown Balls
to believin' they're already million
hairs."
II knew that" said Dale. That's
not news"
But that amt ALL" By Heck went
on. "Gotf's got Saul Littleford, too
lock, stock, barl and sights. He owns
Saul jest the same as l own my ole
spotted coon dawg Dime. Saul he
gifts him a job a-bein' mine boss, and
what other Littlefords at will stick
gifts jobs a-diggin' the black dimont al
two dollars a day. Asides, all of 'en
is to have a big lot O. money wheI
the dividin'up time comes, says Gotf.
Much obliged to you, By" Dale ac
knowledged. Let's go; bout face
By! Pm goin' to tie a hard knot il
that villainous game of Henderson
Gotps."
They reached John MoreIand's cabiI
less than an hour later. MOrelanC
and his son had just returned from
Gainesville, and Dale learned through
Hayes that the two hillmen had showI
good judgment and some business
sense In making their purchases.
When the evening meal was ovel
| Dale drew John Moreland out to thi
cabin yard, where the many Old-fash
| iOned flowers made the night air SWee
with their blended odorS. For mo
ment Dale stood looking toward th'
very bright stars and thinking; thel
he told the big man at his side O
Gotf's plan concerning the LittlefOrds
and strongly urged the making o
friendship between the two clans.
"The snake!" mumbled John More
| land.
He appeared TO be worried about il
! lie folded his arms, walked to the gat
and back to Dale without uttering an
other word. 1t was hard for him tt
throw down completely the hatred OF
years upon years. Had it been any