Cleveland County herald., 1921-07-07

d Slldl ty Gl6tSl Oll db 1Oul Gd yards-I wisht l may drap dead ef they cain't! 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 Moreand. That's whar you want to go, Bill, sence we've got oncyor- able case O the disease knowed as 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 ye've got"
 Dale was not looking toward John Moreland's home now. His gaze had wandered to the other side of the river. By Heck waited a full minute for a reply to his speech, then he spoke again:
 'sThe gyurl, or the coal-is that what's a-botherin' ye, Bill%
 Dales eyes tWinkled. Must 1 choose between them?" he laughed.
 "Shore ID By Heck wasn't even smil- ing. Shore! The Morelands and Littlefords hates each other wuss nor a blue-tailed hawk hates crow. The SSufl, or the coal, Bill
 well go down to John Moreland's," announced Dale.
 The mountaineer took up his rifle. Let me gi' ye a word or two O warn in" he continued seriously. Don't you offer to pay John Moreland fo' eatin' his grub, nor fo' sleepin' in his bed, nor fo' ehaWin his tobacker. Ef ye do, yore goose will shore be cooked with John Moreland. But ef ye was to brag on the yittles little Johns wife a-bein pow'ful handy in the kitchen, it wouldn't do a danged bit O harm. Do ye understand it all now, Bill?"
 Dale nodded, and they began the de- scent.
 John Morelands 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- beating 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 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,' grinned Heck. 'This here feller wants to stay with ye a 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."
 He hastened into the cabin, carrying the squirrels with him.
 Hes went to tell his wife to hatch up 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 cain't hardly stand it. Blast my picture eff l couldn't eat two whole raw dawgs right now, I'm that ding busted hongry. Well, I got to ramble on home. 1 live down the river half a mile, we and my maw. Come to see me, Bill, and we'll go a-tishin'. So long, Bill old boy!"
 John Moreland returned presently. The man from the city rose and prof fered his hand.
 My name," he began, old habit strong upon him, lis Carlyle--"
 Before he could get any farther with it. 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.
 What's the matter, man?" Dale wanted to know.
 "Carlyle!' Moreland repeated in a hoarse growl. You say yore name is Carlyle!"
 Yes" wonderingly, but that's only part of it. My name is Carlyle Will | burton Dale-Bill Dale. Whats the | matter?'
 Did you come from West vir- | ginny?" sharply.
 Dale gave the name of his home town and state.
 That's dif'rent." The mountains eer's countenance became lighter This man I'm a-thinkin' about, he was from West Virginny. 1 hope you won't hold nothin' ag'in me fo' actin up that away. couldn't hep it, shore, it seems. You'll know how l felt when 1 tell ye about it, Mir Dale. l owe it to ye to explain. Jest a minute"
 He stepped into the cabin and brought out another chair, sat down heavily and crossed his legs. Dale, | too, sat down.
 "The mountain you had to come