Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-10-04

Although he had not been able to-
successfully mix with the rest of the
workers, he found this to his adyan-
tage in some ways, as his taciturnity
inspired a respect from the workers
that enabled him to carry On mis-
work with little interference. How
ever. he found himself highly popular
with both the young and the older
women. His very reserve seemed to
pique their imagination, and some OF
the younger girls, especially Elmira,
seemed to be contesting for his favor.
BY now Hotshot spent most of his
spare time, even the evenings, with
Big Sally, and Carl was much alone.
AT first he had been a title shocked
by his friends going frankly with the
big woman, but this had worn away
as he understood the workings of the
social system on the plantation.
In the north this free and cas-
manner of living and loving would be
called immoral, and yet, Carl asked
himself, were these people who lived
together frankly and openly without
being married any worce than some
of the society" folks he knew who
were constantly involved il scandals
and worse? These simple folk mere
ly obeyed the dictates of their desires,
and who was the worse for it?
He had met woman on the place
who had been with" her man for
twelve years, and the couple were as
proud of their three children as any
married couple could have been. They
lived together quietly, working, ana
doing what they could to improve
themselves, just as anyone else aid.
Carl told himself that his new
method of reasoning regarding what
he had been taught to hold as rank
immortality was no let down in his
personal morals, and he assured him
self that the fact that he had not
taken advantage of the many chances
for adventure offered him, was ample
proof of it.
Temptation
In this respect, Hotshot told Carl
that he was fool. Better take on
everything that looks good to you"
he had advised. But Carl hadn't, al
though on some of the lonely, CLAM
orous nights he had spent sitting on
the doorstep of his little cabin, or In
walking through the moonlit woods,
he had been greatly tempted to seek
Elmira or Melissa, or some OF the
others who had displayed a willing
ness to receive his attentions.
On these poignant nights ne
thought of the distant, lovely Antoin-
cite, and of his future in Chicago.
But curiouSly enough, he found him
self dreading letter from his bank
er friend, Anton Bigal, bidding him
to return to Chicago and to job IN
the latter's bank.
He asked himself why this was, but
could find no answer. He found him
self still gripped by spell OF eX-
psctancy that he could not define or
understand. Momentarily he expect
ed something to happen-something
which would be unlike the experiences
of his past life; but day after day
melted into the next, and the inter-
esting but humdrum life of the plan
tation continued without break.
Shortly after dark one night Hot
shot came to Carls cabin. boy, you
shouldn't hang roun' this yere place
SO Stiddy," he demonstrated. why
you don come on down t. tn scronch-
in groun's with me might? SallyS
Bud" he continued little chagrined,
has done come back, and Sally say
she better wait twill day er two TO
she puts him out"
"Sallys Bud is likely to whale the
dickens out of you'll" Carl warned
laughingly. II hear he's what you
might call q tough customer"
The tougher they air." Hotshot de-
claimed, "the easier they is to carve!"
He lit his corn-cob pipe and pulled
for few minutes in silence. Then ne
said: well, how bout comm on to
the scronchin groun's. Carl? Well
set back 'mongst the trees and jes'
look on. How bout it?"
Carl arose TO his feet and stretched
his arms skyward. Sure, I'll come
- i. d.