The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-08-12

RnaTS eyeldSh on at TOUR hunureN
yards--l wisht 1 may drap dead eff
they cain'ti do We see that big cabin
right plumb 10 the middle o. the nigh
half o. the settlement, Bill7 Well, the
boss O. the Morelands he lives thar
John Moreland. That's whar you want
to go, Bill, sence ye'vs got 0ncyor-
able case o. the disease knowed as
coal-on-the-brain. But l can tell We
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 full minute
for o. reply to his speech, then he
spoke again:
''rhe gyurl, or the Goals that
what's a-botherin' We, Bill?"
Dale's eyes twinkled. Must | choose
between them?' he laughed
"Shorel" BY Heck wasn't even sInil-
ting. Shore! The Morelands and
Littlefords hates each other wuss nor
"A blue-tailed hawk hates crow. The
gyurl, or the coal, Bill?'
"We'll go down to John Moreland's,n
announced Dale.
The mountaineer took up his rife.
Let me 81 We word or two o. warn
in" he continued seriously. Don't
you offer to pay John Moreland TO-
eatin' his grub, nor TO sleepin' in his
bed, nor TO chawin' his tobacker. Ef
We do, yore goose will shore be cooked
with John Moreland. But eff We was
to brag on the yittles little, Johns
wife a-bein' pow'ful handy In the
kitchen, 1t wouldn't do DANCED bit
o. harm. DO We understand 1t all now,
Bill7"
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 chimney of stones and
clay rose at either end.
John Moreland himself sat on the
front porch, and beside him lay a re-
peating rifle, two young squirrels that
had been very neatly shot through the
head, and a 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 few threads of white. There
was a certain English fineness about
the man. One felt that he could trust
John Moreland. 49,.
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 Teller wants to stay with We 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 FASTENED into. the cabin, CARRYING
the squirrels with him.
HES 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 it. Blast nv
picture eff l couldn't eat two whole
raw dawgs right now,> I'm that ding
busted hongry. Well, got to rambIe
on home. ! live down the river half n
mile, We and my nav. Come to see
me, Bill, and Wen go a-tishin' So
long, Bin old boyr
John Moreland returned presently.
The man from the city rose and prof
fered his hand,
MY name" he began, old habit
strong upon him, sis Carlyle"
Before he could get any farther with
it. John Moreland flung the hand from
him as though it We're a thing of un-
speakable contamination. His bearded
face went deathly white with the
Wilderness of an old and bitter hatred.
His great fists clenched, and every
muscle In his giant body trembled.
sWhat's the matter, manf Dale
wanted to know.
"Carlyle" Moreland repeated in q
hoarse growl. "You say yore name is
Carlylei"
Yes" wonderingly, but that's onI,
a part of it. My name is Carlyle VIII
burton Daie-Bill Dale. What's ths
matterf"
Ibid you come from West yir
ginnyT sharply.
Dale gave the name OF his HON,
town and state.
That's dif'rent." The mountain
GERS countenance became lighter
This man I'm a-thinkin' about, h,
was from West yirginny. hope vol
won't hold nothin' ag'in me 70, actin
up that away, i couldn't hep it, shore
it seems. You'll know how felt whel
4 &aII aho,& 10