, 1922-08-31
A Fight or a Foot
Race
BY MARTHA M. WILLIAMS

DNNdhoN hC aiHO hdh SNl u VI
some horn in. He was cold, sober
wiIhal in merry mOod. Moonshinlng
was not his vocation, but merely II
of his humorous accomplishments, like
tiddling, out-jumping inc out-wrestling
conceited newcomers, and raising the
tune ut revival if Sister Andrews
failed to show up. That happened
rarely-like other ~rarities 1t was the
more welcome. Said the irrevereut:
"Nothin' but II pig could o%ut-squeal
her"-some few even adding that TO
do it, "A pig would have to be sound,
a%ble-bodied, and in fine voice. All
such Joe Latimir reproved severely.
"'Tain't right ter make fun o no
sort o religion" he said. And be-
%lieving that she can sing is her re-
ligion."
Clearly Joe was a tolerant person.
He had need to be-Brush Creek
neighborhood so abounded in edged
personalities, the hair-trigger opin-
ions, Notwithstanding II scum of prog
ress rested on its surface, in the
form of clubs of every sort, com
munity undertakings. demonstration
agents. rallies of all sorts. even now
and then a close approach to a
pageant, though lever 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 good roads-such
a help in getting otherwheres when
o~therwheres was advisable. This pre-
supposed autos, which were no longer
sights, albeit none so plenty except
among the timber folk or those who
had bottom land to supplement their
hillsldes 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 II gun quite as a matter of
course. AS things too he rarely
went armed with anything more deadly
than the songs he made up to suit all
occasions. Socially they We're dead
lier than bullets. Joe had never read
"Cervantes Smiled Spain's Chivalry
Away" Thus he was doing something
of the kind in the Twentieth century
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
n in "A mighty ugly fashion Molly
Duke had a nimble tongue, feet as
nimble, n pretty wit. a prettier face.
along with a heart that knew not the
feel of fear. Joe had settled ii with
himself to marry hereafter she had
her fling. I'M was ready to be tanned.
He could tame her now-but 1t would
be hard, tedious work-besides, he had
n sense that 1t would leave a sedi-
ment Of unappeased longing which
later might flame dangerously. All
this inarticulate psychology and com-
plexes are still afar from Brush
Creek. "a flly's better'n half broke
when she's run herself dead tired"
said Joe to his inner self-therefore
he let Molly play unhlndered.
That had peer safe enough before
Jake Dyer came back from outside
wearing yellow shoes, II green hat, II
fancy haircut, silk shirts, scent on
his handkerchief and n world-weary
air. Naturally anything so resplendent
had it w 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. "Ef yer britches
binds We, git somewhar's else ter
wriggle 'em l~ooser," she said point
eddy. Thunderous applause, led by
Joe Latlmir. No wonder-Inke had
bee dancing with Molly. She stood
divided between confusion. and resent
ment. her cheeks scarlet, sparks at
bottom of her eyes. Jake grinned at
her e~ngagingly. saying with his best
bow:
Lets do 1t again Noll-these here
hayseeds need 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
n blow that sent him reeling, and In re-
bound from the corner of the chimney
shelf TO the floor. Again the crowd
applauded-Joe all slckened at the
sound Angry as he was, he knew
he had made a unsatisfactory instlc-
lively 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 II mo-
tion half leap, half slide, she was be-
side Jake, helping him scramble to
his feet. aud steadying him after.
"Now-you please take me home she
said clearly. "Tain't worth while tryin'
to civllize rowdy crowds"
Head and arms bare, she sprang
through 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 moonshlne, though
there was a black eliot of shade II little
way above where the fOotwny crossed