eben holden-第12章

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und　of　it'　and　the　foul　mouthings　of　low…minded　men　spread　like　a　pestilence　in　the　fields。

Abe　came　always　with　an　old　bay　horse　and　a　rickety　buckboard。　His　one　foot　on　the　dash；　as　he　rode；　gave　the　picture　a　dare…devil　finish。　The　lash　of　his　bull…whip　sang　around　him；　and　his　great　voice　sent　its　blasts　of　noise　ahead。　When　we　heard　a　fearful　yell　and　rumble　in　the　distance；　we　knew　Abe　was　coming。

'Abe　he　come；'　said　Grandma　Bisnette。　'Mon　Dieu！　he　make　de　leetle　rock　fly。'

It　was　like　the　coming　of　a　locomotive　with　roar　of　wheel　and　whistle。　In　my　childhood；　as　soon　as　I　saw　the　cloud　of　dust；　I　put　for　the　bed　and　from　its　friendly　cover　would　peek　out'　often；　but　never　venture　far　until　the　man　of　blood　had　gone。

To　us　children　he　was　a　marvel　of　wickedness。　There　were　those　who　told　how　he　had　stood　in　the　storm　one　night　and　dared　the　Almighty　to　send　the　lightning　upon　him。

The　dog　Fred　had　grown　so　old　and　infirm　that　one　day　they　sent　for　Abe　to　come　and　put　an　end　to　his　misery。　Every　man　on　the　farm　loved　the　old　dog　and　not　one　of　them　would　raise　a　hand　to　kill　him。　Hope　and　I　heard　what　Abe　was　coming　to　do；　and　when　the　men　had　gone　to　the　fields；　that　summer　morning；　we　lifted　Fred　into　the　little　wagon　m　which　he　had　once　drawn　me　and　starting　back　of　the　barn　stole　away　with　him　through　the　deep　grass　of　the　meadow　until　we　came　out　upon　the　highroad　far　below。　We　had　planned　to　take　him　to　school　and　make　him　a　nest　in　the　woodshed　where　he　could　share　our　luncheon　and　be　out　of　the　way　of　peril。　After　a　good　deal　of　difficulty　and　heavy　pulling　we　got　to　the　road　at　last。　The　old　dog；　now　blind　and　helpless；　sat　contentedly　in　the　wagon　while　its　wheels　creaked　and　groaned　beneath　him。　We　had　gone　but　a　short　way　in　the　road　when　we　heard　the　red　bridge　roar　under　rushing　wheels　and　the　familiar　yell　of　Abe。

'We'd　better　run；'　said　Hope；　'　'er　we'll　git　swore　at。'

I　looked　about　me　in　a　panic　for　some　place　to　hide　the　party；　but　Abe　was　coming　fast　and　there　was　only　time　to　pick　up　clubs　and　stand　our　ground。

'Here！'　the　man　shouted　as　he　pulled　up　along　side　of　us；　'where　ye　goin'　with　that　dog？'

'Go　'way；'　I　answered；　between　anger　and　tears；　lifting　my　club　in　a　threatening　manner。

He　laughed　then　…　a　loud　guffaw　that　rang　in　the　near　woods。

'What'll　ye　give　me；'　he　asked　leaning　forward；　his　elbows　on　his　knees；　'What'll　ye　give　me　if　I　don't　kill　him？'

I　thought　a　moment。　Then　I　put　my　hand　in　my　pocket　and　presently　took　out　my　jack…knife　…　that　treasure　Uncle　Eb　had　bought　for　me　…　and　looked　at　it　fondly。

Then　I　offered　it　to　him。

Again　he　laughed　loudly。

'Anything　else？'　he　demanded　while　Hope　sat　hugging　the　old　dog　that　was　licking　her　hands。

'Got　forty　cents　that　I　saved　for　the　fair；'　said　I　promptly。

Abe　backed　his　horse　and　turned　in　the　road。

'Wall　boy；'　he　said；　'Tell　'em　I've　gone　home。'

Then　his　great　voice　shouted；　'g'lang'　the　lash　of　his　whip　sang　in　the　air　and　off　he　went。

We　were　first　to　arrive　at　the　schoolhouse；　that　morning；　and　when　the　other　children　came　we　had　Fred　on　a　comfortable　bed　of　grass　in　a　corner　of　the　woodshed。　What　with　all　the　worry　of　that　day　I　said　my　lessons　poorly　and　went　home　with　a　load　on　my　heart。　Tomorrow　would　be　Saturday；　how　were　we　to　get　food　and　water　to　the　dog？　They　asked　at　home　if　we　had　seen　old　Fred　and　we　both　declared　we　had　not　…　the　first　lie　that　ever　laid　its　burden　on　my　conscience。　We　both　saved　all　our　bread　and　butter　and　doughnuts　next　day；　but　we　had　so　many　chores　to　do　it　was　impossible　to　go　to　the　schoolhouse　with　them。　So　we　agreed　to　steal　away　that　night　when　all　were　asleep　and　take　the　food　from　its　hiding　place。

In　the　excitement　of　the　day　neither　of　us　had　eaten　much。　They　thought　we　were　ill　and　sent　us　to　bed　early。　When　Hope　came　into　my　room　above　stairs　late　in　the　evening　we　were　both　desperately　hungry。　We　looked　at　our　store　of　doughnuts　and　bread　and　butter　under　my　bed。　We　counted　it　over。

'Won't　you　try　one　o'　the　doughnuts；'　I　whispered　hoping　that　she　would　say　yes　so　that　I　could　try　one　also；　for　they　did　smell　mighty　good。

''Twouldn't　be　right〃　said　she　regretfully。　'There　ain't　any　more　'n　he'll　want　now。

''Twouldn't　be　right〃　I　repeated　with　a　sigh　as　I　looked　longingly　at　one　of　the　big　doughnuts。　'Couldn't　bear　t'　do　it　…　could　you？'

'Don't　seem　as　if　I　could；'　she　whispered；　thoughtfully；　her　chin　upon　her　hand。

Then　she　rose　and　went　to　the　window。

'O　my！　how　dark　it　is！'　she　whispered；　looking　out　into　the　night。

'Purty　dark！'　I　said；　'but　you　needn't　be　'fraid。　I'll　take　care　o'　you。　If　we　should　meet　a　bear　I'll　growl　right　back　at　him　…　that's　what　Uncle　Eb　tol'　me　t'　do。　I'm　awful　stout　…　most　a　man　now！　Can't　nuthin'　scare　me。'

We　could　hear　them　talking　below　stairs　and　we　went　back　to　bed；　intending　to　go　forth　later　when　the　house　was　still。　But'　unfortunately　for　our　adventure　I　fell　asleep。

It　was　morning　when　I　opened　my　eyes　again。　We　children　looked　accusingly　at　each　other　while　eating　breakfast。　Then　we　had　to　be　washed　and　dressed　in　our　best　clothes　to　go　to　meeting。　When　the　wagon　was　at　the　door　and　we　were　ready　to　start　I　had　doughnuts　and　bread　and　butter　in　every　pocket　of　my　coat　and　trousers。　I　got　in　quickly　and　pulled　the　blanket　over　me　so　as　to　conceal　the　fullness　of　my　pockets。　We　arrived　so　late　I　had　no　chance　to　go　to　the　dog　before　we　went　into　meeting。　I　was　wearing　boots　that　were　too　small　for　me；　and　when　I　entered　with　the　others　and　sat　down　upon　one　of　those　straight　backed　seats　of　plain；　unpainted　pine　my　feet　felt　as　if　I　had　been　caught　in　a　bear　trap。　There　was　always　such　a　silence　in　the　room　after　the　elder　had　sat　down　and　adjusted　his　spectacles　that　I　could　hear　the　ticking　of　the　watch　he　carried　in　the　pocket　of　his　broadcloth　waistcoat。　For　my　own　part　I　know　I　looked　with　too　much　longing　for　the　good　of　my　soul　on　the　great　gold　chain　that　spanned　the　broad　convexity　of　his　stomach。　Presently　I　observed　that　a　couple　of　young　women　were　looking　at　me　and　whispering。　Then　suddenly　I　became　aware　that　there　were　sundry　protuberances　on　my　person　caused　by　bread　and　butter　and　doughnuts；　and　I　felt　very　miserable　indeed。　Now　and　then　as　the　elder　spoke　the　loud；　accusing　neigh　of　some　horse；　tethered　to　the　fence　in　the　schoolyard；　mingled　with　his　thunder。　After　the　good　elder　had　been　preaching　an　hour　his　big；　fat　body　seemed　to　swim　in　my　tears。　When　he　had　finished　the　choir　sang。　Their　singing　was　a　thing　that　appealed　to　the　eye　as　well　as　the　ear。　Uncle　Eb　used　to　say　it　was　a　great　comfort　to　see　Elkenah　Samson　sing　bass。　His　great　mouth　opened　widely　in　this　form　of　praise　and　his　eyes　had　a　wild　stare　in　them　when　he　aimed　at　the　low　notes。

Ransom　Walker；　a　man　of　great　dignity；　with　a　bristling　moustache；　who　had　once　been　a　schoolmaster；　led　the　choir　and　carried　the　tenor　part。　It　was　no　small　privilege　after　the　elder　had　announced　the　hymn；　to　see　him　rise　and　tap　the　desk　with　his　tuning　fork　and　hold　it　to　his　ear　solemnly。　Then　he　would　seem　to　press　his　chin　full　hard　upon　his　throat　while　he　warbled　a　scale。　Immediately；　soprano；　alto；　bass　and　tenor　launched　forth　upon　the　sea　of　song。　The　parts　were　like　the　treacherous　and　conflicting　currents　of　a　tide　that　tossed　them　roughly　and　sometimes　overturned　their　craft。　And　Ransom　Walker　showed　always　a　proper　sense　of　danger　and　responsibility。　Generally　they　got　to　port　safely　on　these　brief　excursions；　though　exhausted。　He　had　a　way　of　beating　time　with　his　head　while　singing　and　I　have　no　doubt　it　was　a　great　help　to　him。

The　elder　came　over　to　me　after　meeting；　having　taken　my　tears　for　a　sign　of　conviction。

'May　the　Lord　bless　and　comfort　you；　my　boy！'　said　he。

I　got　away　shortly　and　made　for　the　door。　Uncle　Eb　stopped　me。

'My　stars；　Willie！'　said　he　putting　his　hand　on　my　upper　coat　pocket'　'what　ye　got　in　there？'

'Doughnuts；'　I　answered。

'An'　what's　this？'　he　asked　touching　one　of　my　side　pockets。

'Doughnuts；'　I　repeated。

'An'　this；'　touching　another。

'That's　doughnuts　too；'　I　said。

'An'　this；'　he　continued　going　down　to　my　trousers　pocket。

'Bread　an'　butter；'　I　answered；　shamefacedly；　and　on　the　verge　of　tears。

'Jerusalem！'　he　exclaimed；　'must　a　'spected　a　purty　long　sermon。

'Brought　'em　fer　ol'　Fred；'　I　replied。

'Ol'　Fred！'　he　whispered；　'where's　he？'

I　told　my　secret　then　and　we　both　went　out　with　Hope　to　where　we　had　left　him。　He　lay　with　his　head　between　his　paws　on　the　bed　of　grass　just　as　I　had　seen　him　lie　many　a　time　when　his　legs　were　weary　with　travel　on　Paradise　Road；　and　when　his　days　were　yet　full　of　pleasure。　We　called　to　him　and　Uncle　Eb　knelt　and　touched　his　head。　Then　he　lifted　the　dog's　nose；　looked　a　moment　into　the　sightless　eyes　and　let　it　fall　again。

'Fred's　gone；'　said　he　in　a　low　tone　as　he　turned　away。　'Got　there　ahead　uv　us；　Willy。'

Hope　and　I　sat　down　by　the　old　dog　and　wept　bitterly。

Chapter　10

Uncle　Eb　was　a　born　lover　of　fun。　But　he　had　a　solemn　way　of　fishing　that　was　no　credit　to　a　cheerful　man。　It　was　the　same　when　he　played　the　bass　viol；　but　that　was　also　a　kind　of　fishing　at　which　he　tried　his　luck　in　a　roaring　torrent　of　sound。　Both　forms　of　dissipation　gave　him　a　serious　look　and　manner；　that　came　near　severity。　They　brought　on　his　face　only　the　light　of　hope　and　anticipation　or　the　shadow　of　disappointment。

We　had　finished　our　stent　early　the　day　of　which　lam　writing。　When　we　had　dug　our　worms　and　were　on　our　way　to　the　brook　with　pole　and　line　a　squint　of　elation　had　hold　of　Uncle　Eb's　face。　Long　wrinkles　deepened　as　he　looked　into　the　sky　for　a　sign　of　the　weather；　and　then　relaxed　a　bit　as　he　turned　his　eyes　upon　the　smooth　sward。　It　was　no　time　for　idle　talk。　We　tiptoed　over　the　leafy　carpet　of　the　woods。　Soon　as　I　spoke　he　lifted　his　hand　with　a　warning　'Sh　…　h！'　The　murmur　of　the　stream　was　in　our　ears。　Kneeling　on　a　mossy　knoll　we　baited　the　hooks；　then　Uncle　Eb　beckoned　to　me。

I　came　to　him　on　tiptoe。

'See　thet　there　foam　'long　side　o'　the　big　log？'　he　whispered；　pointing　with　his　finger。

I　nodded。

'Cre…e…ep　up　jest　as　ca…a…areful　as　ye　can；'　he　went　on　whispering。　'Drop　in　a　leetle　above　an'　let　'er　float　down。'

Then　he　went　on；　below　me；　lifting　his　feet　in　slow　and　stealthy　strides。

He　halted　by　a　bit　of　driftwood　and　cautiously　threw　in；　his　arm　extended；　his　figure　alert。　The　squint　on　his　face　took　a　firmer　grip。　Suddenly　his　pole　gave　a　leap；　the　water　splashed；　his　line　sang　in　the　air　and　a　fish　went　up　like　a　rocket。　As　we　were　looking　into　the　treetops　it　thumped　the　shore　beside　him；　quivered　a　moment　and　flopped　down　the　bank　He　scrambled　after　it　and　went　to　his　knees　in　the　brook　coming　up　empty…handed。　The　water　was　slopping　out　of　his　boot　legs。

'Whew！'　said　he；　panting　with　excitement；　as　I　came　over　to　him。　'Reg'lar　ol'　he　one；'　he　added；　looking　down　at　his　boots。　'Got　away　from　me　…　consarn　him！　Hed　a　leetle　too　much　power　in　the　arm。；

He　emptied　his　boots；　baited　up　and　went　back　to　his　fishing。　As　I　looked　up　at　him　he　stood　leaning　over　the　stream　jiggling　his　hook。　In　a　moment　I　saw　a　tug　at　the　line。　The　end　of　his　pole　went　un