Evening star., 1925-01-18

shuffied toward home, full OF
rheumatism and trouble. The
cause of the rheumatism lay,
he would have told you, in
the east wind that whistled across the
sere cotton and broom-s -sedge fields
this black Winter morning. The
cause OF the trouble lay in bill that
reposed in the pocket of his ragged
overcoat, which this same wind
tapped about his sturdy legs.
The bill, handed him in Rowley' S
store, was for balance due on the sea-
son's supplies. According to his own
estimate this balance due was ex-
Rowley, lien merchant with whom he
had done business, 1t was something
more than $3.50.
Old Dan had protested. and Rowley
had ordered him out of the store.
Here are my books!" the lien mer-
chant had cried Here are the figgers
in black and white. Figgers don't
lie"
This argument had silenced Dan.
He could neither read nor write, and
he had the illiterate mans belief in
the potency Of figures-the illiterate
mans shame. too, in the presence of
them.
"Somethin' done lie, know dat"
the old man muttered.
toward the old Duncan place. He was
the only tenant of Mrs. Sally Duncan.
"The widows mite" wag had called
him. He had been born on the place
born a slave. He was one OF the sur
Tiving loyals, tens of thousands of
whom when freedom came had stuck
20 their white folks. He had stuck
20 Capt. Jack Duncan as long as the
captain lived, and to Mrs. Sally Dun
can ever since.
The Duncan place had been a great
plantation once. But Capt Jack S
schemes and visions had been more
extensive even than his acres-a man
of large and sanguine dreams, rain
bow chaser, one who saw Ell Dorado
always over the next hill.
In all these schemes and many
others old Dan had stood by the cap
tain, believing in him as wiser men
had believed. But the plantation had
had to pay. Acre by acre II had
dwindled, and now the captain rested
from his dreams and old Dan alone
remained to stand by the widow who
had to pay, too.
She now lived in the old Duncan
house with her memories and with
two grandsons-boys of 8 and 12-
whose parents were dead. Dams
cabin stood in the back yard, one of
the many outbuildings, the others
unused now, that formed a hollow
square behind the mansion.
1t was this cabin that the old man
entered. Mandy. his wife, had died
two years before. In front of his
fireplace he squatted and blew the
Goals into a glow
SUDDENLY he was aware of the en-
~ trance OF some one. Malvina, his
granddaughter, stood in the doorway.
Miss Sairly-her want to see you,"
she said.
The old man crossed the yard and
climbed the high steps of the back
porch. He shuff1ed down the hall and
knocked at the living room door At
her Come in, Dan" he entered a
lofty, old-fashioned room.
You sent for me, mis'?" he asked,
Yes. Dan. Sit down"
It was staggering news she had to
tell him. She must sell the place at
once. Her husband had left mort
gagged even what remained This
mortgage had been held by one of his
friends. She had not been able to pay
the interest, but this friend had re-
newed the mortgage for five years.
He had died, and his lawyers had
sold the mortgage. The man who
bought 1t had notified her that he
must have all interest, present and
accumulated, by the first of February
If not, the place would be sold at
auction.
Mis-, you don't tell me dat" gasped
Dan
THE man has made me an offer"
she went on. He will take over the
place quietly, and the mortgage left
by my husband, which I have kept
secret, Dan, even from you, will not
be mentioned. Otherwise, the sheriff
Mis-" he demanded, who de MANI
mfr. RowIey"
An he gwine defect you an de
little boys out in de road?"
Well, it-wasnt as bad as that she
explained. He had given them two
weeks. You could hardly expect Mr.
RoWley to act differently. He was
not particular friend
No, mis-" the old fellow broke
out. He amt a fr'en' 20 nobody but
de, debbil! Mis-. you know why he
want dis place? Kase den he kin set
here whar better folks is set an saw
he own de OF Duncan place Kase
Cap'n Jack warn't afraid of him. or he
paw befo' him. Kase when oil man
Rowley try to cheat Steve out'n a
year rent Cap'n Jack set up in cot
an testify bout dey reputation for
trufe an ferocity. Da's why, mis-
da's whyi'
He asked her how much the interest
was. She told him it amounted to
$500.
why don't you borry, mis-? Dey's
folks will len. Mr.. Kuhby, he
NO." she said with gentle firm
ness. 1T would not be borrowing,
Dan; ! could not pay it back. It
would be asking charity"
HWbaf 10 OF
Three thousand dollars"
mis-, listen to me. You git hold of
dat intrust. In five year we Iiouefy
dat mor-gige. I improvin' de place
1 done dreen de swamp an mighty
nigh clear IL up. l gwine git anud-
der tenant-Paul Woodward. He done
contract to come. Mis-. borry de
money. Gimme time. l Illustrate dat
man schemew
She looked long and searchingIy al
his eager, black face. Then she shook
her head.
Il cannot borrow" she repeated
1T would be asking charity"
Old Dan bowed his head
You must not speak of this. Dan
1t must seem that chose to sell and
move away"
DON want to sell de OF place, dc
your" ~
My heart is here. Dan" she re.
piled. "Oh, don't know what will
become of the boys"
x X
THE old man went out into the hall
He thought of Capt. Jack. tc
whom he and his children had gone
in time of trouble; of old Mandy lyinp
sick and Mis- Sally nursing her to tho
end. The ghosts of other days came
down those empty stairs and pleaded
With him.