The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-08-04


gnats eyelash Off at four hundred
yards-I. wisht l may drap dead ef
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 90, Bill, sence we've got oncyor-
able case o. the disease knowed as
coal-on-the-braln. But / can tell ye
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
Morelands home now. His gaze had
wandered to the other side of the
river. BY Heck waited full minute
for n reply to his speech, then he
spoke again:
"The gyurl, or the GOALS that
what's a-botherln' We, Bill?"
Dale's eyes twinkled. Must l choose
between them?" he iaiighed.
"Shore!" by Heck wasn't even snil-
ing. "Shore The Morelands and
Littlefords hates each other wuss nor
n blue-tailed hawk hates a crow. The
gyurl, or the coal, Bill?"
"We'll go down to John Moreland's."
announced Dale.
The mountalneer took up his rifle.
Let me gi' We word or two o. warn
in" he continued seriously Don't
you offer to pay John Moreland TO
eatin' his grub, nor 70 sleepln, in his
bed, nor 70 chawin his t0backer. Ef
ye do, yore goose will shore be cooked
with John Moreland. But EFF ye was
TO brag on the vittles little. Johns
wife a-bein' pow'ful handy In the
kitchen. 1T wouldn't do a DANCED bit
O. harm. DO ye understand 1t all now,
BillY
Dale nodded, and they began the de-
scent. Vs..
: John Moreland's house was built of
Whole 0xk. logs which were ehlnked
with Oh spt5ts and dnubed in between
with clay VIE roof was of handssade
boards, and a cnsueey Of stones .and
clay rose at either enda
John Moreland himself sat oh the
front porch, and beside him lay a re-
peating rifle. two young squirrels that
had bee9-Iegy neatly shot through the
head, and weary black-and-tan
hound. Hes YEAS 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 certain English fineness about
the man. One felt that he could trust
John Moreland.
AS the moonshiner and his compan-
Ion reached the gate Moreand rose
and pushed his hat back from his fore
head.
Hi, john" grlnned Heck. "This
here feller 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
homemade chair he had Just vacated
"Set down thar and rest, stranger. I'll
be back In a minute or So"
lie hastened into the cabin, carrying
the squirrels with him.
up a 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, l CANT hardly stand II. Blast my
picture eff l couldn't eat two whole
raw dawgs right now, I'm that ding
busted hongry. Well, got to rambe
on home. live down the river half q
mile, we and my nav. Come to see
me. BIZ, and Wen go a-fishin'. So
long, Bill old boyi"
John Moreland returned presently.
The man from the city rose and prof
fered his hand.
my name" he began, old habit
strong upon him, ''is Carlyle"
Before he could get any farther with
1t, John Moreland flung the hand from
him as though It were a thing OF un-
speakable contamination. His bearded
face went deathly white with the
whiteness of an old and bitter hatred.
His great fists clenched, and every
muscle In his giant body trembled.
whats the matter, man?" Dale
wantex,to know.
"Carlyie!v Moreiand. repeated In n
hoarse growl. You sqA yore name IL
Carlyle!"
yes" wonderingly, 'But that's only
part Of 1t. My-uame Isl Carlyle VIII
burton Dale-Bill Dale. What's the
matterT"
"Did you come from West vir-
ginnyY sharply.
Dale gave the name of his home
town and state.
That's difrent." The mountain
GERS countenance became lighter.
This man I'm a-thlnkin' about. he
was from West virginny. hope YOU
won't hold nothin' ag'in me TO actff'
up that away. couldn't hep It, shore,
II seems. You'll know how felt when
tell ye about 1t, Mr.. Dale. l owe II
10 ye to explain. Jest minute"
He stepped into the cabin md