Taiban Valley news., 1921-10-14

gnats eyelash Off at four hundred
yards-I wisht | may drap dead eff
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 Moreland. 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 l can tell ye
aforehand, you amt got enough money
to buy that coal, don't matter how
much money yeve 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 full minute
for reply to his speech, then he
spoke again:
"The gyurl, or the GOALS that
what's a-botherin' ye, Bill?"
Dale's eyes twinkled. Must l choose
between them?" he laughed.
"Shorer' BY Heck wasn't even smil-
ing. Shore! The MoreIands and
Littlefords hates each other wuss nor
blue-tailed hawk hates a crow. The
gyurl, or the coal, Bill?"
"We'll go down to John Moreland's," !"
announced Dale.
The mountaineer 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 fo'
eatin' his grub, nor fO' sleepin' in his
bed, nor fo' chawin' his tobacker. Eff
ye 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,
Biz"
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-
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 a 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.
"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 fastened 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, CANT hardly stand 1t. Blast my
picture eff l couldn't eat two whole
raw dawgs right now, I'm that ding
busted hongry. Well, | got to ramble
on home. live down the river half n
mlle we and my nav. Come to see
me, Bill, and Wen go a-fishin'. So
long, Bill old boyl"
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
it, John Moreland flung the hand from
him as though it were 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, MANI" Dale
wanted to know.
"Carlyle" Moreland repeated in q
hoarse growl. "You say yore name is
Carlyle!"
Yes" wonderingly, "but that's only
a part of 1t. My name is Carlyle Will
burton Dale-Bill Dale. What's the
matterG"
did you come from West vir-
ginnyT sharply.
Dale gave the name of his home
town and state.
"rhat's dlf'rent." The mountain
eer's countenance became lighter.
"rhis man I'm a-thinkin' about, he
was from West Virginny. hope you
won't hold nothin' agin me TO- actin
up that away. couldn't hep It, shore,
1t seems. You'll know how felt when
tell We about 1t, Mr.. Dale. owe 1t
to We to explain. Jest minute"
he stepped into the cabin and
brought out another chair, sat down
heavily and crossed his legs. Dale,
too, sat down.