The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-01
EUening Story
A Fight or a Foot Race.
81 MARTHA McC-WILLIAMs

his own m1nStrelSy uproar1ouSly. But
not because he also had got a hand
some horn in. He. was cold. sober
withal in merry mood. Moonshining
was not his vocation, but merely one
of his humorous accomplishments
like fidding, out-jumping and out
wrestling conceited newcomers, and
raising the tune at revival if Sister
Andrews failed to show up. That hap
pened rarely-like other rarities it
was the more welcome. Said the ir-
reverent: ''Nothin' but a pig could
out-squeal her''-some few even add
ing that to do it, a pig would have to
be sound, ablebodied, and in fine
voice. All such Joe Latimir reproved
severely. "'Tain't right ter make fun
o. no sort O. religion" he said. "And
believing that she can sing is her re-
ligion.''
Clearly Joe was tolerant person.
He had need to be-Brush Creek
neighborhood SO abounded in edged
personalities, the hair-trigger opinions,
Notwithstanding a scum of progress
rested on it's surface, in the form of
clubs of every sort, community under.
takings, demonstration agents, rallies
of all sorts, even now and then a closs
approach to a pageant tho never so
called, in the annual fall parade Of
county schools. The bone and sinew
of the region merely tolerated these
frills. But it fell hard for s1od roads
such a help in getting otherwheres
when otherwheres was advisable. This
presupposed autos, which, were no
longer sights, albeit none so plenty
except among the timber folk or those
who had bottom land to supplement
their hillsides and upland plateaus.
Bad men in full flower were con-
spicuously absent. Potential ones?
That admitted of debate. Born thirty
years earlier, Joe Latimir might have
toted a gun quite as a matter of
course. AS things stood he rarely went
armed with anything more deadly
than the songs he made up to suit
all occasions. Socially they were
deadlier than bullets. Joe had never
read ''Cervantes Smiled Spain's Chiv-
airy Away" Thus he was doing some
thing of the kind in the twentieth CEN
fury with no spur of imitation.
Two things hailed him to the Pan
ton dance against his inclination.
One wore skirts and answered to
Molly Duke; the other a feeling that
if he stayed away things might go
wrong-and in a mighty ugly fashion
Molly Duke had a nimble tongue, feet
as nimble, a pretty wit, a prettier
face, along with heart that knew
not the feel of fear. Joe had settled
she had her fling. and was ready to
be tanned. He could tame her now,
but it would be hard, tedious work
besides, he had sense that it would
leave a sediment of unappeaSed long
ing which later might flame danger
ousiy. All this inarticulate psychology
and completes are still afar from
Brush Creek. "a filly'S better'n half
broke when she's run herself dead
tired said Joe to his inner self
therefore he let Molly play unhin-
dered.
That had been safe enough before
Jake Dyer came back from outside
wearing yellow shoes, a green hat, a
fancy haircut, silk shirt, Scent On his
handkerchief and a worldweary air.
Naturally anything so respondent had
its own way-for a little while, at
least. He introduced successfully the
hesitation, one-step, tango and fox
trot, but when he ventured on the
shimmy Ma Meechum brought him up
with a round turn, EFF yer britches
binds We, git somewhar's else ter
wriggle 'em loose" she said pointedly.
Thunderous applause, led by Joe
Latimir. No wonder-Jake had been
dancing with Molly. She stood d.
vided between confusion and resent
bottom of her eyes, Jake grinned at
her engagingly, saying with his best
bow:
Lets do it again MolIy-these here
hayseeds needs lots of breakin'-but
they'll be eatin' up the new dance
in the least little while.'' Thereupon
Joe caught him neatly under the chin
with a blow that sent him Keeling, and
in rebound from the corner of the
chimney shelf to the floor. Again the
crowd applauded-Joe all sickened at
the sound. Angry as he was, he knew
he had made a mistake-Molly in
stinctively stood for and by the under
dog. With all the gathering thus
laughing hostilely at him, Jake was
sure of her reckless defense.
He was not mistaken. With a mo-
ton half leap, half slide, she was be-
side Jake, helping him scramble to-
his feet. and steadying him after.
''Now-you please take me home"
she said clearly. ''Tain't worth while
tryin' to civilize rowdy crowds"
Head and arms bare, she sprang
thru the outer door and ran down the
path to the way that led home. 1t
was little more than a mile, and all
the way in clear moonsH-ze, tho there
was a black clot of shade a little way
spring branch. Molly knew every
stone she trod-she SKINNED them at
such a rate. Jake. still trifle giddy.
Jagged sensibly' AS they came to the
I got ter ketch my breath. Up thar
in the black dark-so's folks won't
talk. No need of going home for a
long time-we can have just lots of
fun away from them fools.''
You must be one of 'em-didn't 1
say 1 was goin' homer" Molly retorted
gayly. Maybe your beauty shows best
in the dark-but I'm for keepin' in
the Hght-so hop along, son-hop
lively
"shucks! TIL take you home. but
not till it suits me-" Jake answered
roughly. you putin on airs don't
fool me none. Come on up yonder.
Nobody can find u.s." Selling her tight
and making to drag her to the clot
of shadow. Molly did not scream. In
stead she writhed violently. She could
not free herself. She had been caught
in choking hold from behind. Her
breath was going, her strength, but
not her will. Suddenly she was free,
and Joe Latinir drawIed, "Since you
were hell-bent on goin' home, Molly,
come along to see you got there
safe.''
Shame held her silent. Jake started