The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1948-11-18
A Bit of Earth
By LILLIAN AUSTIN
Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU Features.

j
i he counted out a fat roll of bill
and placed them before her. waite
@ ing as she wrapped the bundle car
p fully in clean handkerchie
Aren't you going to count it?"
a asked.
D No, sir. You is credit US for
year and trus' US to stay till tn
crops made"
But you don't realize how muc
you have there"
Yes, sir, l knows it's a heap c
money, but we's got ten chillun an
eight in-laws and twicet as man
grandbabies and some of 'em nee
1t fore mex year"
why should you give it to them?'
Mr.. Davis asked They didn't hell
make the crop. They're grown meI
and women, and if they can't make
living for themselves, what'n they
10 when you anG Sam need help?
How would you and Sam like to owr
your own homer"
You mean us could have a shack
and a bit of ground that really be.
long TO us?"
You've been here a year now
and well make you the same propo-
sltion we do others we want to
keep on the place, Wen sell YOU
the land and you can make annual
payments with your surplus and each
season your share of the crop will
increase according to the amount
paid up"
/ amt onderstan' all them words.
Mr.. Davis, but if it gonna get us
somethin' for our old DAYS. US is
do 1t. But Is sho' in for some ar.
gu-fyin'."
'Ot course we can't make a deal
unless Sam is willing"
faint Sam gonna give me trou.
pie. He be proud as a banty rooster.
does US own airy foot of earth"
Lily Bell planned as she walked
nome. No more moving for them:
she and Sam were landowners! She
thought of her pretty white curtains
she could use now when they fixed
that broken window, and the best
bedspread and that old linoIeun
rug Mrs. Davis had given her. II
could be fitted to the kitchen floor
and left there till it wore out
there'd be flower beds and red roses
blooming most of the year and
winter garden of hardy vegetables
they wouldn't have to leave for the
next tenant.
When Sam came up from the barn
she turned to watch his face "How,d
you like to own this place." she
asked. us can buy on time" she
went on. "And Mr.. Davis is gonna |
stop by in the mornin' for us to
sign the papers, does you want it,"
Sam got out the new glass Mr..
Davis had sent weeks ago for the
window. CANT you take time to
eat you supper" size grumbled, Sc.
cretly pleased at Sans impotence.
Here come Sally" she told him.
guess she done hear us is settle
Ip and she want to know how long
Ter man can look for job this win
er fore he fin' one to suit"
She laid plates for Sally and her
title ones. Go on, set up, gall"
he urged, "and quit you studyin'
don't Germ you. Us is
Jet the money and spend il Already"
Sally didn't believe it. MAMA.
on amt buy nothin' but cotton
ress Tor you'se'f and a box of bac-
y fol Papa"
US is buy prop'ty Lily Bell in
ormed her Importantly. "We owns
us house and every stick and stone
the land Yves been croppin'."
How you gonna pay it off," Sally
iAed. "Papa's old man Already"
" Amt it the truf," Lily Ben Y
greed. lie too old to sport his
'ung uns and from now on us is
ok out for ourse'fs. Mr.. Davis is
1t the money and tomorrow us is
gn up"
You give up Papa's hard-earned
oney and you amt got a writin' or -
thin to show for it," Sally asked
Now, Sally, Davis word is GOOD d
lii for anybody, and"
Tain for me-" Sally interrupt ~
angrily, us gonna tell Bill and
ME and us go see Mr.. Davis,
d"
Sam jerked his chair back and
cd up. Get out!" he told the Ba
l, till you is member you man. OF
IS and talk 'spectful to you Ma o. o.
J.. And the hull lot of you keep
Of our business, and if you amt I'd
what US do, stay out of our house
you is like it -
ally was gone and the supper I'M
ched and Lily Bell sat stunned by
MS sudden show of temper. Eat
supper, honey, and don't VOC.
Sam coaxed. "Them chillun
t turn gin US jes' cause they
1t boss u.s." He grinned at her.
weren't mad at Sally. rs jes'
ed they's gonna git that money
= US sign the paper"
They CANT git it often Mr.. Da-
Lily Bell said, "cause he amt
it. But I amt tellin the chillun
'Tain't good business to hand
'er till the deals made"
I didn't know that"
exclaimed, looking at her with
respect.