The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-03-11
SPEARMAN

IL we Ie 1uChy eIlOuSH W Cdtc1
him."
Dr. Carpy called up the padre anc
was lucky. At least the padre wa:
at home AS to his coming-that wa.
something else again. Carpy held hin
long on the wire; he pleaded earn
estly. At last he agreed to come.
At eight o'clock, the welcome
splutter of the dilapidated engine
was heard outside. The padre, Gun.
lock buck chauffeur, and little In
dian boy of ten or twelve disem-
barked, and the reception committee
welcomed the guest of honor to the
headed by the clergyman and the
little fellow, the growing crowd
struggled down the street to Harry
Tensions, where poor Panama lay
in state.
Padre Cataldo, laying aside his
hat and his overcoat of many
patches, made the sign of the cross,
knelt moment in silent prayer,
and, standing behind the pool table
on which Panama lay in his coffin,
spoke clearly and simply.
Boys" said the old priest, "this
looks like a queer place for padre;
! perhaps queer job. But I've known
Bill Hayes a good many years. !
knew him in his widest days. And
I've known him for the last three
years, since he turned over new
leaf.
BILL used to visit me and talk
with me. It was something I said to
him once, so he told me, that started
him thinking. "What's all this about
this greedy, rotten old world?' he
asked himself.
BILL was not a follower of my
faith-you know that. But he believ-
ed Jesus Christ to be the Son of God
and for three years he has tried the
best he could to keep his command
ments.
NATURALLY, never heard Bill
preach. But I have been told what
eloquent and sincere sermons he did
preach. But out there in those for
gotten hills, facing-no, not facing
but embracing-a dreadful death.
Bill preach a deathless sermon, for
he took his text from the lips of God
himself. And wherever you bury
him, boys, let the words of that text
be groven on his tomb:
"'Greater love than this no man
hath, that a man lay down his life
for his friends
The lull in the fire threat issued
in fresh dangers to the hill ranches.
A blaze starting up anew on the res
ervation cut-over lands crept north
on the very night that Panama was
buried.
With what aid she could bring,
Jane rode next morning over to her
neighbor's only to find the situation
critical BY noon the fire fighters
were being driven back all along the
line. But, loath to abandon hope of
saving the ranch buildings, the men
fought till Denison, riding among
them, warned them to look first to
their own safety.
Riding then fast to the ranch
house, he found Jane consulting with
Quong in the kitchen.
81 must think of your safety,
Jane" he said. cit is getting too close
to danger here"
BILL, is it that bad?"
eve might as well face the truth.
It's not safe here for you. You must
go, and quickly. Are your ponies
saddled?"
''Then take Quong and mount up"
James eyes softened. They fell be-
for his. Il just hate to go, Bill" she
pouted, tantalizingly. 'It seems like
| deserving friend"
ct isn't Jane. You may imagine,
girl, how I hate to send you away.
/ But you know who I'm thinking of,
don't your"
"You mustn't think too much of
anybody but yourself just now,
Bill" she murmured. 81 do some
thinking myself these days."
Quong had been called. Always
forehanded, without any words he
was winking and blinking in his
saddle.
Denison handed Jane her lines.
She leaned toward him and spoke
low: "Bill, will you promise me, SOL
emily, one thing?"
promise you anything, girl"
"Solemnly, Bill?"
"Solemnly. What is it?"
'That you'll think first for your
own safety. Now promise!"
'1 promise, Jane.'
''F'or my sake, Bill?"
''Do you mean that?"
81 do mean it,"
God bless you. If the buildings
60, I'll ride over to report tomor-
row."
Jane slept so well that she opened
her eyes in the heavy air of day.
break, conscience-stricken at having
rested peacefully during the hours
in which her neighbor might have
been burned out.
She dressed, ate Quong's hurried
breakfast, saddled her pony, and set
out for Denison's, directing Quong
to follow as soon as he could. The
smoke grew more dense as she near
ed the ridge, and she reluctantly
| turned about for homo and fold