The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-16
Erskine Dale Pioneer.
BY JOHN Fox JR,
Copyright 1919 1920 by Charles scribuers Sons

gentlemen. young gallants and
frolicksome students. Dave. the
young KentuckIan, and Harry
would he put ur at the tavern, and,
for his own reasons, Hugh elected
TO stay with them.
Inside the .avern Hugh was soon
surrounded by fellow students. He
pressed Dave and the boy to drink
with them, but Dave laughing de-
cliued and took the lad UP to their
room. Below they could hear
Hugh's merriment going on and
when Hugh came upstairs a while
later his face was flushed. With
him came youth OF his own age
with dare devil eyes and a. sauye
manner, one Dane Grey, to whom
Harry give scant greeting. One
patronizingly look from the stran'
ger toward the Kentucky boy and
within he latter a fire ot antagon'
ism was instantly kindled. With
a word after the two went out,
Harry snorted his explanation:
Tory"
That morning news came from
New England that set the Town
a-quiver. England's answer to the
Boston tea party had been the clos.
ing of Boston harbor. In the House
of Burgesscs, tho news was met
with a burst Of indigna ion. In the
middle OF the afternoon my lords
coach swung from his great yard
and made for the cupitol-my lord
eroct and naughty, mis- lips set with
the resolution TO crush the spirit
Of he rebellion.
It was a notable scene. for Mich,
olas, Bland, Lee, Harrison, Pendle-
ton, Henry, Jefferson and Wash.
ingtou were there.
The Burgesses were to give a
great ball in his honor that very
night. and now he was como to
dissolve them. And dissolve them
he did. They bowed Gravely and
with no protest. Shaking wi h
anger my lord stalked to his coach
and six while they repaired to the
Appolo Room to prohibit the use Of
tea and propose a general congress
Of the colonies.
And that ball came to pass.
Naughty hosts received their
naughty guest with the finest and
gravest courtesy, bent low over my
lady's hand, danced with her
daughters. and wrung from my
lords reluctan. lips the one grudg.
ing word OF comment:
Gentlemen"
Tho two backwoodsmen were
dazzled by the briiliance Of Il all
for the boy had stood with Bar.
bara, who had been allowed to looh
on for a while.
Before Barbara was sent home
Hugh and Dane Grey came in Will
an cxaggeration Of dignity and po
illness hat fooled few others than
themselves, Hugh, catching Bar.
bara's sad and reproachful glance
did not dare go near her, but Dane
madO straight for her side when he
entered the ruom-and- bowed with
great gallantry. TO tho boy he paid
no atten ion whatever. and the lat
ter, fired with indignation and
hate, turned hastily away. The
half overlooking and wholly con
temptous glance that Grey had
shot over his head had stung him
like knife cut, so like an atcua1
knife indeed that without knowing
Il his right hand was then funb,
ling at his belt. Erskine left and
went back to 'he tavern and III
his room. Then with hla knife
in his belt he went down again and
waited on the porch. Already
guests were coming back from tho
party and II was not long before be-
saw Hugh and Dane Grey has.
stumbling up the steps. ErskIne
rose. Grey confronted the lad duly
for moment and Ihen straighten.
ed.
Here's anuzzer one wants to
fight" he said thickly. "My young