Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-10

ready In his hands. Behind the man. . IRE
burning on an open hearth threw a fltful, dim
light about the room
He was stopped Of shoulder. His face was
long and covered by heavy stubble Of black
beard His hair was black, thick and unkempt.
His eyes were like twin pools Of black oil. His
gaze, riveted on my uncle, had about it that
still intensity peculiar to the hill people.
In the first second saw him, and then
saw that he was not alone. On his right stood
q girl With one hand she grasped fold OF
his ragged corduroy trousers. She was perhaps
10 years old. Her black hair was combed
straight back ON her head and hung in two
short braids down her back She wore blue
checked gingham dress. The dress was clean.
She was barefooted. Her face might have be-
longed to a woman of middle age or 1t might
have been the face Of child It was ageless.
Her eyes were like those of the man-still black
pools that showed neither surprise nor fear
ON the mans left also holding to trouser
leg, stood a boy younger than the girl, prob
ablv not more than 6. He was q miniature
of the man. If our sudden appearance sur
prised or frightened him. he gave no sign
We stood there, silent, metionless-the five OF
U.S. Finally, it was the man who broke the ST.
lence.
80 hits you, Everitt. war expectin' ye."
AS the man said this, he lowered the putt OF
his rifle to the floor.
Then he turned about, leaving the children
standing as they were. He stood his rife in
the corner near the fireplace.
"Shet the door and draw up to the IRE. !
mind We be cold and more'n a mite damp
My uncle slowly lowered the hammer of his
winchester
shut the door," he said to me- crossed the
room and after leaning his rifle against the
stone mantel held his hands out to the fire.
His manner was natural, almost casual
MY uncle turned about and stood with his
Id raS1 Nf
he questioned.
,"TIit pays to take keer," the man replied then
added Reckon we best have bite to eat afore
we start"
at reckon said my uncle.
The room was soon fragrant with the odor
of frying bacon and boiling coffee. My uncle
sat before the open fire. He had removed his
slicker and heavy shoes and was allowing his
feet to dry. If he was watching the man in
the kitchen, could not see it. The little girl
was there In the kitchen with the man. She
was placing dishes on the table. The boy was
squatting on his heels, his back to the wall be-
side the fireplace. He watched me as crossed
the room, and during the half hour We sat
awaiting our breakfast, felt his gaze upon me.
doubt that It ever shifted.
At breakfast, my uncle sat at one end Of the
table, the man at the other. The children
were on one side and on the oth6-. To eat.
there were squares Of fried hog back, fried POI
tatoes, gravy. corn bread and thick sorghum
molasses, and to drink, there was black coffee.
DAWN was breaking outside. Minutes passed,
and no one spoke. Over the one window
Of the kitchen there now lay patch Of gray.
AS we ate, the light stole In while the glow
from the lamp seemed to creep back into the
globe until only yellow flame burned on the
wick. Once the man got up and went around
the table to cut the meat for the boy.
It was my uncle who spoke first. He raised
Continued on TsDenty-frst Page