Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-07-14

6CoAAf DAthf NfNA man VI NAl NhA SlAOD
a gnat's eyelash Off at four hundre'
yards wisht l may drap dead e
they cain'tl Do ye see that big cabil
right plumb in the middle o. the nigl
half o. the settlement, Bill? Well, tn
boss o. the MOrelands he lives thar
John Moreland. That's whar you wan
to go, Bill, sence we've got a oncyOr
able case o. the disease knowed a.
eOal-on-the-brain. But / can tell "
a1Orehand, you amt got enough money
to buy that coal, don't matter how
mach money we've got"
Dale was not looking toward Johr
Moreland's home now. His gaze haC
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 Goals that
what's a-botherin' We, Bill?"
Dale's eyes twinkled. Must l choose
between them" he laughed.
Shore" BY Heck wasn't even Smil-
ing. "Shore! The Morelands and
Littlefords hates each other wuss nor
a blue-tailed hawk hates a crow. The
gyurl, or the coal, Bill?"
"We'll go down to John Moreand's,"
announced Dale.
The mOuntaineer took up his rifle.
Let me gil We word or two O. warn
in" he continued seriously. Don't
you offer to pay John Moreland TO
0ofipS ~ Slo In, in, hie
bed, nor fo' chawin' his tobacker. Eff
We do, yOre goose will shore be cooked
with John Moreland. But eff we was
to brag on the vittles little, Johns
wife a-bein' pow'ful handy in the
kitchen, it wouldn't do a DANCED bit
o harm. Do we understand it all now,
Bill?"
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 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 a few threads of white There
was certain English fineness 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 Teller wants to stay with we q
few days, John. Seems to be all
right"
Come right in," invited the chief
of the Morelands. He indicated the
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 a extry good dinner, Bill" whis-
Dered Heck. "Pepper-cyored ham,
young chicken, hot biscuits, fresh but
.er, wild honey, huckleberry pie and
peach pie and strawberry preserves
Bill, CANT hardly stand it. Blast my
picture eff | couldn't eat two whole
Jaw dawgs right now, Pm that ding
IN home. / live down the river half O
nile, we and my nav. Come to see
ne, Bill, and Wen go a-tishin. So
ong, Bill old boy"
John Moreland returned presently.
rhe man from the city rose and prof
cred his hand. !
my name" he began, old habit '
trong upon him, 'is Carlyle"
Before he could get any farther with
t, John Moreland flung the hand from t
i'm as though 1t were a thing of I'M {
peakable contamination. His bearded [
ace went deathly white with the t
bitterness of an old and bitter hatred. h
lis great fists clenched, and every v
MUSCLE in his giant body trembled.
whats the matter, MANI" Dale |
'anted to know. 4
"Carlyel" Moreland repeated In q +
oarse growl. "YOu say yore name is b
arlyle!" h
Yes" wonderingly, "but that's only b
part of 1t. My name is Carlyle viii s.
urton Dale-Bill Dale. What's the I
atter?"
ibid you come from West vir- fl
nnyT sharply. n
Dale gave the name of his home ii
'wn and state p
"rhat's dlfrent." The mountain
RS countenance became lighter. d
rhis man I'm a-thinkin' about, he
as from West Virginny. | hope you re
ont hold nothln' agin me TO actin W
, that away. couldn't hep 1t, shore,
seems. You'll know how felt when tc
tell We about 1t, Mr.. Dale owe 1t "
we to explain. Jest minute" 10
lie stepped into the cabin and W
ought out another chair, sat down r
'avily and crossed his legs. Dale, II