The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-08

fortrs gyurl. Her names Babe. mat s what they call her. She's got another name: but it aln't been used fo' so long it's been fogot. reckon. She's the youngest one O old Ben's children. She hain't like none O the rest O the Littlefords. By gosh. she's awful high headed. She can read good, Babe can. Old Major Bradley, from down at Car tersyiIle in the lowland. he spends his summers up here fo' his health, and he teached Babe how to read. Fine fel- Ter Major Bradley Lawyer. Babe she has done read everything in the whole danged country. The's sev'rai Bibles, and a book about q Pilgrims Progress, and a Bakers Hoss and Cattle Almaneck, and a dic-dictionary.
 But we'd better light out fo' the settlement, Mir. Bill. or we'll miss dln- ner. mebbe. I'm plumb danged fool about eatin'. l ct twenty-two biscuits O fiour-bread this mornin' fo' break fus'. asides Q whole h'Aef1 Samsnank- and other things accordin'. It's the dyin' truth Come on, Mir. Bill"
 They went down to the creek. crossed 1t on stones, and began to climb the low cliff.
 After an hours travelling Heck stopped in the trail and put the butt of his rifle to the ground.
 "From right here Bill" he said, we can see every house in the whole 3o~.,od -aftIanlauf
 They were standing on the crest of David Moreland's mountain. Below them lay broad valley eheekered with small fasms; and each farm had its log cabin it's log barn and its apple orchard. Beyond 1t all rose the great and majestic Big Pine, which was higher and more rugged with cliffs than David Moreland's mountain.
 "The Morelands lives on this side O the river, and the Littlefords lives on van side. drawled Heck "They don't 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 danged hard 1t don't pay. My gosh, Bin, every man of 'em can shoot a gnat's eyeash off at four hundred yards-I wisht may drap dead eff they cain'tl Do ye see that big cabin right plumb in the middle O the nigh half O the settlement, Bill? Well, the boss O the Morelands he lives thar John Moreland. That's whar you want to go, Bill, sence ye've got a oncyor- oH .of bx a coal-on-the-brain. But I can tell ye aforehand. you ain't 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 Co the ether side of the river. By Heck waited full minute for a reply to his speech, then he spoke again:
 'The gyurl, Or the coai--is that what's a-botherin' ye, Bill7" Dale's eyes twinkled. Must l choose between them7" he laughed.
 "Shorer' By Heck wasn't even smil- ing. "Shorel The MoreIands and Littlefords hates each other wuss nor a blue-taIled hawk hates crow. The 1 gyurl, or the coal, Bill7
 "We'll go down to John Moreland's." :" announced Dale.
 The mountaineer took up his rife. Let me gi' ye a word or two O warm in" he continued seriously. Don't l you offer to pay John Moreiand fo' eatin' his grub, nor fo sleepin' In his bed, nor fo' chawin' his tobacker. Ef | ye do, yore goose will shore be cooked with John Moreland. But ef ye was to brag on the vittles a little, Johns wife a-bein' pow'ful handy in the | kitchen. 1t wouldn't do danged bit O harm. Do ye 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 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.
 1 fTo Ra Conf;nuadN