The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-08-03
Continued from last week.

DCu A1tucAUIU y CdUlu uOhucs 4 uC gil
was welcomed with much joy; old
Dale was received with almost affec-
tionate cordiality. A roaring fire was
soon going In the best room. and old
Dale was given the cosiest of the
sheepskin-lined rockers. Ben Little
ford, washed scrupulously clean Of
coal smut, sat near the guest Of honor.
John Moreland, who was so thought
full that he seemed to hear and see
nothing, sat close to Ben Littleford.
Suddenly Dale looked toward his
host and asked: "Where is my sonT
At that moment Dale the younger,
In boots and corduroys, appeared in
the outer doorway and answered for
himself:
"Here he Is. father. Are you wellY'
Dale the elder arose, and their
hands clasped warmly. Young Dale
then shook hands with Elizabeth, who
blushed In spite Of herself as she
faced him.
To hide her confusion, Elizabeth
turned to the tai, and lanky BY Heck.
who had come In behind Bill Dale.
"How are you, ByT she greeted
him.
"Hongry." grinned By Heck, taking
her hand awkwardly. 81 never ct
nothin' but couple o. baked 'possums
and peck or two O. sweet Eaters TO-
dinner, and I've been as busy as the
dev-as thunder a,doin' nothin' ever
sence DOM nothing shore does make
me hongry, M-M-M-Miss Babe.'
Supper was announced. and they
went into long, log-walled room that
served as both kitchen and dining
room.
Bill Dale sat beside his father and
talked Of nothing but coal veins-big
and little coal veins, long and short.
broad and narrow. deep and shallow,
blue and black coal veins. Babe Lit
tlefOrd. who wouldn't marry him, who
had come back to the hills to torture
him with beauty that he had never
believed possible In any woman,
shouldn't know that he was even
thinking Of herl
He talked coal with his father until
bedtime. and he was wiser in the ways
Of the black diamond when nine
o'clock came. After Ben Littleford
had haltingly conducted family pray
ers-and In this he mentioned even
the Balls, Turner's and Torreys-Bill
Dale babe them all gocd night and
started for his Office to sleep. rolled in
q blanket on the floor. There was
lack Of beds at Ben Littleford's that
night.
A little later. John Moreland drew
old Ben out to the cabin yard. The
skies were clear, and the moon was
shining brightly; everywhere there
was beauty and peacefulness.
'.Ben." softly, "Iye got to bother ye
q minute, as late as It is. wanted We
to hnd me hammer and chisel and
q lantern"
sTve got 'em all three right thar
In the house," replied Littleford. "But
what'n the name o. Torment and
thunderation do ye want with ham,
mer and a chisel and a lantern, John.
old friendi"
The answer came straightforwardly.
II was the MOreland way.
sTm a-g0in' up thar to whar pore
David he's buried at, and cut off some
them letters often the stone, Ben.
CANT sleep ontel It's done. You can
guess what part I'm a-goin' to cut of,
CANT yep
eyes" said Iittleford. "Babe told
me about what happened up thar
afors dark. And I'm pow'ful glad
ye'rs a-gOin' to do IL John. old
friend"
IA went with Moreland to the little
enclosure "a the highest point Of
David MOreland's mountain. He held
the lighted lantern while Moreland
worked. They were there for hours.
When the work was finished David
N0relands brother arose from his
knees in the snow, put the hammer
and the chisel into his pocket, and
spread open his cold. cramped fingers.
"Ef David coule know" he said
YEARLY, Il believe he'd be glad at
/ done Il. Anyway. 1t makes me feel
better"
Ben Littleford put big hand on
Jehn Moreland's shoulder.
"Yes." he agreed, 'ef David could
knew about It. he'd be glad at We done
IT, John. The hain't no doubt o. that.
And whe can say he don't know about
itY
Elizabeth learned Of it early on the
following morning. When breakfast
was over, she whispered to John K.
Dale that there was something she
hal to show him. She wouldn't tell
him anything IN advance. $50 he went
With her to see for himself.
When at last they stood inside the
weatherbeaten paiings, Elizabeth
pointed and said:
Look there. and thank Godi"
Dale looked and saw. The color left
his face, then came back. He shut his
eyes, swayed little on his feet, op-
ens1 his eyes, looked and saw again.