The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-09-07
"l'd Like to Go-to Learn to Fence"

"l'd Like to Go-to Learn to Fence"
| expect to be most Of the time, need
nothing at ALL" Colonel Dale rose.
81 wish you would 90 to college at
Williamsburg for year or two 10
better fit yourSelf-in case"
I'D like to go--to learn to fence|'
smiled the boy, and the colonel smiled
too.
you'll certainly need to know that,
if YOU are going to be as reckless as
YOU were today" ErSkine's eyes
darkened.
Uncle Harry, you may think me
foolish, but I don't like or trust Grey
What was he doing with those British
traders OF in the Northwest!-he
was not buying furs. It's absurd. WI!
was he hand in glove with LORD Dun'
more?" g.
"Lord Dunmore had a daughter,
was the dry reply, and Erskine flung
out gesture that made words on'
necessary. Colonel Dale crossed the
porch and put his hand on the laos
shoulders. :
"Erskine," he said, don't worry
snd-don't give up hope. BE patlent
wait come back to US. Go to william
and Mary. Fit yourself to be one OF
us in all ways. Then everything may
vet come out in the only way that
would be fitting and right" The boy
bhshed, and the colonel went Oh
earnestly:
81 can think Of nothing in the world
that would make me quite so happy"
ITS no use," the boy said trembling
~, "but I'll never forget what you
| have lust said as long as I live, ana,
no matter what becomes Of me, III
love Barbara as long as live. But,
even If things were otherwise, I'd
never risk making her unhappy even
by trying. I'm not fit for her nor
for this life. I can't get over my LIE IN
the woods and among the Indians.
| can't explain, but get choked
and I can't breathe-such a longing
for the woods comes over me
and I can't help me. I must go-and
nothing can hold me-"
"Your father was that way" SAID
Colonel Dale sadly. you may gel
over it, but he never did. And 1t must
be harder for you because OF your
early associations. Good night, anc
God bless YOU" And the kindly gentle
man was gone
Erskine sat where he was. The
house was still and there were NJ
noises from the horses and cattle II
the barn-none from roosting peacock
turkey, and hen. From the far-awa.
quarters came family the merry mel
low notes Of a fiddle, and farther Still
the song of some counting negro return
Ing home. A drowsy bird twittered IN a
|. ancient elm at the corner Of the house
The flowers dropped in the moonligh
which bathed the great path, streame'
across the great river, and on up to II
,, source In the great yellow disk floa'
=. ing in majestic serenity high IN tn
, cloudless sky. And that path, thos
flowers, that house, the barn, the ca
tie, sheep, and hogs, those grainfeld
and grassy acres, even those Singh
\ black folk, were all-all his If ne bu
said the words. The thought was n
temptation-it was a mighty wonde
that such a thing could be. And tina
:, was all It was-a wonder-to him, br
to them 1t was the world. Witho1
!. 1t all, what would they do? PerhaI
;. Mr. Jefferson might soon solve tt
!. problem for him. Perhaps he migl
= not return from that wild campala
y against the British and the Indians
!. he might get killed. And then
;. thought gripped him and held hi
;. fast-he need not come back. Thu
= mighty wilderness beyond the mou
tains was his real home-out the
~ was his real life. He need not con
- back, and they would never kno'
~ Then came a thought that almo
" made him groan. There was lig
~ step in the hall, and Barbara car
swiftly out and dropped on the to
= most step with her chin in both han(
~ Almost at once she seemed to feel /
. presence, for she turned her he'
90 % quickly.
10 "Erskine!' AS quickly he rose, e.
AZ barassed beyond speech. Is
40 "Come here! Why, you look gull
n. what have you been thlnking?"
&c was startled by her intuition, but
- recovered himself swiftly.
a. Il suppose Twill always feel gull
70 II I have made you unhappy"
70 you haven't made me unhappy
N. don't know what you have made n
nj You saw how felt II you had kill
NJ him, but you don't know how l wo,
have felt II he had killed you.
don't myself"
\, She began patting her hands gen
Il AZ heplessly together, and again |
IN dlSpped her chin into them with
90 eyes lifted to the moon.
+. Il shall be very unhappy when. /,
are gone. wish you were not goi
Il but know that you are-ypust &
AZ help it, Again he was startled; q
mi "Wheneyer You. look at that q!