The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1921-10-18

Ben Littleford's cabin home. The girl
Dale was received with almost affec-
tionate cordially. A roaring fire was
soon going in the best room, and old
Dale was given the cOSieSt Of the
sheepskin-lined rockers. Ben Little
ford, washed scrupulously clean of
coal smut, sat near the guest of honor.
John Moreland, who was so thought
full that he seemed to hear and see
nothing, sat close to Ben LittlefOrd.
Suddenly Dale looked toward his
host and asked: where is my SOM"
At that moment Dale the younger,
In boots and corduroys, appeared in
the outer doorway and answered for
himself:
"Here he is, father. Are you well?'
Dale the elder arose, and their
hands clasped warmly. Young Dale
then shook hands with Elizabeth, who
blushed in spite Of herself as she
faced him.
To hide her confusion, Elizabeth
who had come in behind Bill Dale.
'How are you, By" she greeted
him.
"Hongry," grinned By Heck, taking
her hand awkwardly. 81 never ct
nothin' but a couple O. baked 'possums
and a peck or two O. sweet 'taters TO-
dinner, and I've been as busy as the
dev-as thunder a'dOin' nothin' ever
sence. DOM nothing shore does make
me hongry, M-M-M-Miss Babe"
Supper was announced, and they
went into long, lOg-walled room that
served as both kitchen and dining
room.
Bill Dale sat beside his father and
talked of nothing but coal veins-big
and little coal veins, long and short,
broad and narrow, deep and shallow,
blue and black coal veins. Babe Lit
tIeford, who wouldn't marry him, who
had come back to the hills to torture
him with a beauty that he had never
shouldn't know that he was even
thinking of her!
He talked coal with his father until
bedtime, and he was wiser in the ways
of the black diamond when nine
o'clock came. After Ben Littleford
had haltingly conducted family pray
ers-and in this he mentioned even
the Balls, Turner's and Torreys-Bill
Dale babe them all good night and
started for his Office to sleep, rolled In
a blanket on the floor. There was a
lack of beds at Ben LittlefOrd's that
night. - = s.'-Ei--- 'ar.'. .s-''~. ..
d a little later, John Moreland drew
old Ben out to the cabin yard. The
skies were clear, and the moon was
shining brightly; everywhere there
was beauty and peacefulne#s.
"Ben," softly. 1--WE got to bother We
a minute, as late as it is. ! wanted We
to find me a hammer and cbiseI and
a lantern"
I've got 'em all three right thai
in the house" replied LittlefOrd. Blu
what'n the name O. Torment and
thunderatiOn do We want with nam
mer and a chisel and lantern, John
old friend?"
The answer came straightfOrwardly
II was the MOreland way.
I'm a-gOin' up thar to whar pOr'
David he's buried at, and cut off som,
them letters often the stone. Ben.
CANT sleep Ontel it's done. You cal
guess what part I'm a-goin' to cut of
CANT YEP
"Yes," said Littleford. Babe toll
me about what happened up tina
Afore dark. And I'm pow'fuI gla
\. ye're a-goin' to do it, John, oil
friend"
He went with Mcreland to the littl
enclosure on the highest point
David Moreland's mountain. He hel
the lighted lantern while Morelan
worked. They were there for hours
When the work was finished Davi
Moreland's brother arose from h
knees in the snow, put the hamme
and the chisel into his pocket an
spread open his cold, cramped finger
EFF David could know" he sal
YEARLY, 81 believe he'd be glad e
I done it. Anyway, it makes me fee
better"
Ben Littleford put a big hand Q
Jehn Moreland's shoulder.
"Yes," he agreed, "ef David coul
know about it, he'd be glad at We dor
II, John. The haia't no doubt O. tina
And who can say he don't know aboV
it7"
Elizabeth learned of it early on Il
following morning. When breakfa
was over, she whispered to John
Dale that there was something 81
had TO show him. She wouldn't te
him anything in advance. SO he we
with her to see for himself.
When at last they stooG inside Il
weatherbeaten palings, Elizabe
pointed and said:
'Leok there. and thank Godl"
Ode looked and saw. The color le
mis- face, then came back. He shut /
eyes. sWayed a LITTLE on his feet. Q
ened his eyes. looked and saw agai