Licking Valley courier., 1921-08-18

never have nothing to do with each
other, but they don't hardly ever fight;
they're all strappin' big men, and they
fights so DANCED hard 1t don't pay. My
gosh, Bill, every man of 'em can shoot
II gnat's eyelash Off ut four hundred
yards-I wisht may drap dead eff
they CANT! DO We see that big cabin
sight plumb in the middle O. the nigh
half O the settlement, Bill? Well, the
boss O. the Morelands he lives thar
John Moreand. That's whar you want
to go, BIZ, sence ye've got n oncyOr-
able case O. the disease knowed as
cOal-On-the-bran. But can tell ye
aforehand, you amt got enough money
to buy that coal, don't matter how
much money ye've got"
Dale was not looking toward John
MOreand's home now. His gaze had
wandered to the other side ofs the
river. BY Heck waited full minute
for reply to his speech, then he
spoke again:
ut EAullt vi lllt NbNl-lb lllul
what's a-botherIn' ye, BillT
Dale's eyes twinkled. "Alust choose
netween them?" he laughed.
"ShOre!" BY Heck wasn't even smll-
ing. "Shore! The MOrelands and
LittIefords hates each other wuss nor
blue-talled hawk hates a crow. The
Cyurl. or the cOal. Bill?"
well 90 down to John MOreland's,"
announced Dale.
The mountalneer took up his rife.
Let me gi' ye word or two O. warn
in" he continued seriously. Don't
you offer to pay John Moreland fo'
eatin' his grub, nor TO sleepin' in his
bed, nor fO' chawin' his tobacker. Ef
ye do, yore goose will shore be cooked
with John Moreland. But eff ye was
to brag on the vittles a little, Johns
wife a-bein' pOw'ful handy in the
kitchen, 1t wouldn't do q DANCED bit
o harm. DO ye understand 1t all now,
Blllr
Dale nodded, and they began the de-
scent.
John Moreland's house was built OF
whole oak logs, which were chlnked
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-
peatlng 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 rich brown. with
only few threads of white. There
was certain English tlneness about
the man. One felt that he could trust
John Moreland.
As the mOOnshner and his compan
Ion reached the gate Moreland rose
aud pushed his hat back from his fore
head.
Ill, john" grinned Heck. "ThI,
here feller wants to stay with ye {
few days, John. Seems to be al
right"
"Come right in." invited the chile
of the MOrelnnds. He Indicated III,
homemade chair he had just vacated
set down thar and rest, stranger. II
he hack In q minute or SO."
lie FASTENED into the cabin, carrying
the squirrels with him.
Hes went to tell his wife to hatcl
up n cXtry good dinner, Blll," whls
pcred Heck. "Pepper-cyored ham
young chicken, hot biscuits, fresh but
ter, wild honey, huckleberry pie an
peach pie and strawberry preserves
Bill, cnin't hardly stand II. Blast m
picture ef couldn't eat two Who'll
raw dnwgs right now, I'm that ding
busted hongry. Wen, got to rambl
on home, live down the river half
mile, We and my NAV, Come to Sc
me, Blll, and Wen go a-lshln'.
long, Bill old royr
. John Moreland returned present.!
The man from the city rose and pro
fercd his hand.
"My name," he began, old hab
strong upon him, "ls Carlyle"
Before he could get any farther wit
I a. l,lA hAu.InnI Ita,ntg ila hand IpAl
him us though 1t We're thing of u
; Srcalablr contamination. His beard,
face went dcSthly white with Il
whitcncSs of an old and bitter hatre
Ills great fists clcnched, aud evel
muscle In his giant body trcmhled.
whats the matter, munT Da
wanted to know,
Carlyle" Murelund repeated In
hoalTe growl. "YOu say yore name
D Cnrlylcw
Yes" wondrrmgly "hut that's on
part of It. My name is Carlyle w
burton Uale--Bin Dale. What's 4
: mNttcrW
ibid you come from west '
, ginnyT sharply,
Dale vnve The name Of his hol
town and state,
d, "rhnts dlf'rrnt." The mOunto
>. cpr'S cOuntrnunce became light
- "rhis mun I'm u-hlnkin' about,
~, was from West rlrginny. | hope
won't hold nothn ug'm me fo' oct
, up that away, couldn't hep IT, shu
II seems. lou'll know how felt wi
, i tell ye about IT, Mr. Dale, | owe
p, to ye to explain. jest II minute
.s lie stepped into the cabin
:, brought out another chair, sat do
4. (Co tLalcd On rage threeJ