Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-04-06
CHAPTER v.
At the River AGAIN.

what did We find out?"
IL learned was the answer. that
the Littlefords all lost their guns just
as the Moreands did"
1.-The devil"
The mountaineers began to crowd
about Dale.
And who" asked their leader, "do
We think done it?'
Bill Dale shook his head slowly and
threw out his hands.
How should l know?" He went
on: Babe told me about the Littleford
guns disappearing. l saw her down
at the river; she was fishing"
Did she say anything" pursued
John gMorelahd lat sounded like she
knowed whar them guns went TOT"
"She told me-" said Dale, "she would
give her life to stop the fighting. she
seemed rather badly worked up over
IT."
From the cabins front doorway came
a woman's sorrowful voice:
And me. too; I'd give my life to
stop this here tightin'. l had n boy,
q big. strappin' boy"
John Moreland frowned toward his
wife and interrupted. Now. Addie,
honey. don't do that
II ended the talk. e.
Mrs. Moreland dried her eyes on
corner of her freshly ironed gingham
apron, and announced the MONDAY
meal. The mOuntaineers dispersed
Grandpap Moreland went away claw
ing at his long white beard and grum-
bling over the loss OF his beloved old
Lancaster.
An hour later Dale cornered the
Moreland leader on the vine-hung
front porch and suggested that they
look over the coal property that after
noon. He was eager 10 go 10 work,
eager 10 be doing something worth
while, he told Moreland. The hillman
stood very still for what seemed to
the other very long time, and had
no word 10 say. Evidently the feud
had all his mind now,
When he did speak, he said simply:
"All right. Bill"
After half an hour OF fighting their
way lnIOuHu VI OiVOAhine
rel and Ivy. they drew up before an
old and widowed cabin at the north
end OF David Morelands mountain.
Moreland led the way in and pointed
70 a spot under a small, paneless win
dow.
Thar" said he, SIS whar we found
my brother David"
The two men turned for the point
at which the coal vein ran out TO tie
light OF day.
Dale picked up n piece Of the shin
ing black stuff. Judging by the little
he knew and the great amount of de-
scription he had heard, the vein was
very large and the coal itself of the
finest grade.
1T was a big find," he told HIS com
panion, "a big find. II was pity to
let II lie here untouched for so long;
and yet It's worth more today than II
was ever worth before"
HIS enthusiasm ran warm, and More
land caught It quickly. Together they
hastily planned out the little railroad
that was to wind It's way through the
wllds and connect with the big rail-
rond at the Halfway switch.
81 know I'm a-doin' right about IT,
the mountaineer said twice for the
benefit of his conscience. IL know
pore David he would want me to do
this ef he could know"
I'm sure OF IT," agreed Dale. I'll
start for Cincinnati tomorrow. I've
got enough money 10 take me there
and back. / have n very wealthy
friend there-his name Is Harris; L
think | can borrow enough from him
to finance the beginning OF this thing.
And Ill buy a locomotive and cars
and all the other necessary machinery,
While I'm in Clncinnati-unless ! fnh
TO get the money from Harris. when
get back, which should be within
eight days. wen start the work. Al
guess, Id say Wen need twenty
men. Can we get them?"
Shore" nodded the mountaineer.
And all Morelands at that"
They turned homeward. At last