AS I LAY DYING

TO
Hal Smith
Copyright 1930, and rn!d 19"#, $y %illiam &a'l(nr
Darl
)!l and I *om 'p +rom th +ild, +ollo!ing th path in ,ingl +il- Altho'gh
I am +i+tn +t ahad o+ him, anyon !at*hing ', +rom th *ottonho', *an ,
)!l., +rayd and $ro(n ,tra! hat a +'ll had a$o/ my o!n-
Th path r'n, ,traight a, a pl'm$0lin, !orn ,mooth $y +t and $a(d
$ri*(0hard $y )'ly, $t!n th grn ro!, o+ laid0$y *otton, to th *ottonho',
in th *ntr o+ th +ild, !hr it t'rn, and *ir*l, th *ottonho', at +o'r
,o+t right angl, and go, on a*ro,, th +ild again, !orn ,o $y +t in +ading
pr*i,ion-
Th *ottonho', i, o+ ro'gh log,, +rom $t!n !hi*h th *hin(ing ha, long
+alln- S1'ar, !ith a $ro(n roo+ ,t at a ,ingl pit*h, it lan, in mpty and
,himmring dilapidation in th ,'nlight, a ,ingl $road !indo! in t!o oppo,it
!all, gi/ing onto th approa*h, o+ th path- %hn ! ra*h it I t'rn and +ollo!
th path !hi*h *ir*l, th ho',- )!l, +i+tn +t $hind m, loo(ing
,traight ahad, ,tp, in a ,ingl ,trid thro'gh th !indo!- Still ,taring
,traight ahad, hi, pal y, li( !ood ,t into hi, !oodn +a*, h *ro,,, th
+loor in +o'r ,trid, !ith th rigid gra/ity o+ a *igar ,tor Indian dr,,d in
pat*hd o/rall, and nd'd !ith li+ +rom th hip, do!n, and ,tp, in a ,ingl
,trid thro'gh th oppo,it !indo! and into th path again 2',t a, I *om aro'nd
th *ornr- In ,ingl +il and +i/ +t apart and )!l no! in +ront, ! go on
'p th path to!ard th +oot o+ th $l'++-
T'll., !agon ,tand, $,id th ,pring, hit*hd to th rail, th rin,
!rappd a$o't th ,at ,tan*hion- In th !agon $d ar t!o *hair,- )!l ,top,
at th ,pring and ta(, th go'rd +rom th !illo! $ran*h and drin(,- I pa,, him
and mo'nt th path, $ginning to har Ca,h., ,a!-
%hn I ra*h th top h ha, 1'it ,a!ing- Standing in a littr o+ *hip,, h
i, +itting t!o o+ th $oard, togthr- 3t!n th ,hado! ,pa*, thy ar yllo!
a, gold, li( ,o+t gold, $aring on thir +lan(, in ,mooth 'nd'lation, th mar(,
o+ th ad4 $lad5 a good *arpntr, Ca,h i,- H hold, th t!o plan(, on th
tr,tl, +ittd along th dg, in a 1'artr o+ th +ini,hd $o6- H (nl, and
,1'int, along th dg o+ thm, thn h lo!r, thm and ta(, 'p th ad4- A
good *arpntr- Addi 3'ndrn *o'ld not !ant a $ttr on, $ttr $o6 to li in-
It !ill gi/ hr *on+idn* and *om+ort- I go on to th ho',, +ollo!d $y th
Ch'*(- Ch'*(- Ch'*(-
o+ th ad4-
Cora
So I ,a/d o't th gg, and $a(d y,trday- Th *a(, t'rnd o't right !ll- %
dpnd a lot on o'r *hi*(n,- Thy ar good layr,, !hat +! ! ha/ l+t a+tr
th po,,'m, and ,'*h- Sna(, too, in th ,'mmr- A ,na( !ill $ra( 'p a hn0
ho', 1'i*(r than anything- So a+tr thy !r going to *o,t ,o m'*h mor than
7r T'll tho'ght, and a+tr I promi,d that th di++rn* in th n'm$r o+ gg,
!o'ld ma( it 'p, I had to $ mor *ar+'l than /r $*a', it !a, on my +inal
,ay0,o ! too( thm- % *o'ld ha/ ,to*(d *hapr *hi*(n,, $'t I ga/ my
promi, a, 7i,, La!ington ,aid !hn ,h ad/i,d m to gt a good $rd, $*a',
7r T'll him,l+ admit, that a good $rd o+ *o!, or hog, pay, in th long r'n-
So !hn ! lo,t ,o many o+ thm ! *o'ldn.t a++ord to ', th gg, o'r,l/,,
$*a', I *o'ld not ha/ had 7r T'll *hid m !hn it !a, on my ,ay0,o ! too(
thm- So !hn 7i,, La!ington told m a$o't th *a(, I tho'ght that I *o'ld $a(
thm and arn no'gh, at on tim to in*ra, th nt /al' o+ th +lo*( th
1'i/alnt o+ t!o had- And that $y ,a/ing th gg, o't on at a tim, /n th
gg, !o'ldn.t $ *o,ting anything- And that !( thy laid ,o !ll that I not
only ,a/d o't no'gh gg, a$o/ !hat ! had ngagd to ,ll, to $a( th *a(,
!ith, I had ,a/d no'gh ,o that th +lo'r and th ,'gar and th ,to/ !ood
!o'ld not $ *o,ting anything- So I $a(d y,trday, mor *ar+'l than /r I
$a(d in my li+, and th *a(, t'rnd o't right !ll- 3't !hn ! got to to!n
thi, morning 7i,, La!ington told m th lady had *hangd hr mind and !a, not
going to ha/ th party a+tr all-
8Sh o'ght to ta(n tho, *a(, any!ay,8 9at ,ay,-
8%ll,8 I ,ay, 8I r*(on ,h n/r had no ', +or thm no!-8
8Sh o'ght to ta(n thm,8 9at ,ay,- 83't tho, ri*h to!n ladi, *an
*hang thir mind,- :oor +ol(, *ant-8
;i*h, i, nothing in th +a* o+ th Lord, +or H *an , into th hart-
87ay$ I *an ,ll thm at th $a4aar Sat'rday,8 I ,ay- Thy t'rnd o't ral
!ll-
8Yo' *ant gt t!o dollar, a pi* +or thm,8 9at ,ay,-
8%ll, it i,n.t li( thy *o,t m anything,8 I ,ay- I ,a/d thm o't and
,!appd a do4n o+ thm +or th ,'gar and +lo'r- It i,n.t li( th *a(, *o,t m
anything, a, 7r T'll him,l+ rali,, that th gg, I ,a/d !r o/r and $yond
!hat ! had ngagd to ,ll, ,o it !a, li( ! had +o'nd th gg, or thy had
$n gi/n to ',-
8Sh o'ght to ta(n tho, *a(, !hn ,h ,am a, ga/ yo' hr !ord,8 9at
,ay,- Th Lord *an , into th hart- I+ it i, Hi, !ill that ,om +ol(, ha,
di++rnt ida, o+ hon,ty +rom othr +ol(,, it i, not my pla* to 1',tion Hi,
d*r-
8I r*(on ,h n/r had any ', +or thm,8 I ,ay- Thy t'rnd o't ral
!ll, too-
Th 1'ilt i, dra!n 'p to hr *hin, hot a, it i,, !ith only hr t!o hand,
and hr +a* o't,id- Sh i, proppd on th pillo!, !ith hr had rai,d ,o ,h
*an , o't th !indo!, and ! *an har him /ry tim h ta(, 'p th ad4 or
th ,a!- I+ ! !r da+ ! *o'ld almo,t !at*h hr +a* and har him, , him-
Hr +a* i, !a,td a!ay ,o that th $on, dra! 2',t 'ndr th ,(in in !hit
lin,- Hr y, ar li( t!o *andl, !hn yo' !at*h thm g'ttr do!n into th
,o*(t, o+ iron *andl0,ti*(,- 3't th trnal and th /rla,ting ,al/ation and
gra* i, not 'pon hr-
8Thy t'rnd o't ral ni*,8 I ,ay- 83't not li( th *a(, Addi ',d to
$a(-8 Yo' *an , that girl., !a,hing and ironing in th pillo!0,lip, i+ irond
it /r !a,- 7ay$ it !ill r/al hr $lindn,, to hr, laying thr at th
mr*y and th mini,tration o+ +o'r mn and a tom0$oy girl- 8Thr., not a !oman
in thi, ,*tion *o'ld /r $a( !ith Addi 3'ndrn,8 I ,ay- 8&ir,t thing ! (no!
,h.ll $ 'p and $a(ing again, and thn ! !ont ha/ any ,al +or o'r, at all-8
<ndr th 1'ilt ,h ma(, no mor o+ a h'mp than a rail !o'ld, and th only !ay
yo' *an tll ,h i, $rathing i, $y th ,o'nd o+ th mattr,, ,h'*(,- =/n th
hair, at hr *h( do, not mo/, /n !ith that girl ,tanding right o/r hr,
+anning hr !ith th +an- %hil ! !at*h ,h ,!ap, th +an to th othr hand
!itho't ,topping it-
8I, ,h ,lping>8 9at !hi,pr,-
8Sh., 2',t !at*hing Ca,h yondr,8 th girl ,ay,- % *an har th ,a! in
th $oard- It ,o'nd, li( ,noring- ='la t'rn, on th tr'n( and loo(, o't th
!indo!- Hr n*(la* loo(, ral ni* !ith hr rd hat- Yo' !o'ldn.t thin( it
only *o,t t!nty0+i/ *nt,-
8Sh o'ght to ta(n tho, *a(,,8 9at ,ay,-
I *o'ld ha/ ',d th mony ral !ll- 3't it., not li( thy *o,t m
anything 6*pt th $a(ing- I *an tll him that any$ody i, li(ly to ma( a
mi,*', $'t it., not all o+ thm that *an gt o't o+ it !itho't lo,,, I *an tll
him- It., not /ry$ody *an at thir mi,ta(,, I *an tll him-
Somon *om, thro'gh th hall- It i, Darl- H do, not loo( in a, h
pa,,, th door- ='la !at*h, him a, h go, on and pa,,, +rom ,ight again
to!ard th $a*(- Hr hand ri,, and to'*h, hr $ad, lightly, and thn hr
hair- %hn ,h +ind, m !at*hing hr, hr y, go $lan(-
Darl
:a and ?rnon ar ,itting on th $a*( por*h- :a i, tilting ,n'++ +rom th lid o+
hi, ,n'++0$o6 into hi, lo!r lip, holding th lip o'tdra!n $t!n th'm$ and
+ingr- Thy loo( aro'nd a, I *ro,, th por*h and dip th go'rd into th !atr
$'*(t and drin(-
8%hr., )!l>8 pa ,ay,- %hn I !a, a $oy I +ir,t larnd ho! m'*h $ttr
!atr ta,t, !hn it ha, ,t a !hil in a *dar $'*(t- %armi,h0*ool, !ith a
+aint ta,t li( th hot )'ly !ind in *dar tr, ,mll,- It ha, to ,t at la,t
,i6 ho'r,, and $ dr'n( +rom a go'rd- %atr ,ho'ld n/r $ dr'n( +rom mtal-
And at night it i, $ttr ,till- I ',d to li on th pallt in th hall,
!aiting 'ntil I *o'ld har thm all a,lp, ,o I *o'ld gt 'p and go $a*( to th
$'*(t- It !o'ld $ $la*(, th ,hl+ $la*(, th ,till ,'r+a* o+ th !atr a
ro'nd ori+i* in nothingn,,, !hr $+or I ,tirrd it a!a( !ith th dippr I
*o'ld , may$ a ,tar or t!o in th $'*(t, and may$ in th dippr a ,tar or
t!o $+or I dran(- A+tr that I !a, $iggr, oldr- Thn I !o'ld !ait 'ntil thy
all !nt to ,lp ,o I *o'ld li !ith my ,hirt0tail 'p, haring thm a,lp,
+ling my,l+ !itho't to'*hing my,l+, +ling th *ool ,iln* $lo!ing 'pon my
part, and !ondring i+ Ca,h !a, yondr in th dar(n,, doing it too, had $n
doing it prhap, +or th la,t t!o yar, $+or I *o'ld ha/ !antd to or *o'ld
ha/-
:a., +t ar $adly ,playd, hi, to, *rampd and $nt and !arpd, !ith no
tonail at all on hi, littl to,, +rom !or(ing ,o hard in th !t in hommad
,ho, !hn h !a, a $oy- 3,id hi, *hair hi, $rogan, ,it- Thy loo( a, tho'gh
thy had $n ha*(d !ith a $l'nt a6 o't o+ pig0iron- ?rnon ha, $n to to!n-
I ha/ n/r ,n him go to to!n in o/rall,- Hi, !i+, thy ,ay- Sh ta'ght
,*hool too, on*-
I +ling th dippr drg, to th gro'nd and !ip my mo'th on my ,l/- It
i, going to rain $+or morning- 7ay$ $+or dar(- 8Do!n to th $arn,8 I ,ay-
8Harn,,ing th tam-8
Do!n thr +ooling !ith that hor,- H !ill go on thro'gh th $arn, into
th pa,t'r- Th hor, !ill not $ in ,ight5 h i, 'p thr among th pin
,dling,, in th *ool- )!l !hi,tl,, on* and ,hrill- Th hor, ,nort,, thn
)!l ,, him, glinting +or a ga'dy in,tant among th $l' ,hado!,- )!l
!hi,tl, again@ th hor, *om, dropping do!n th ,lop, ,ti++0lggd, hi, ar,
*o*(ing and +li*(ing, hi, mi,0mat*hd y, rolling, and +t*h, 'p t!nty +t
a!ay, $road,id on, !at*hing )!l o/r hi, ,ho'ldr in an attit'd (ittni,h
and alrt-
8Com hr, ,ir,8 )!l ,ay,- H mo/,- 7o/ing that 1'i*( hi, *oat,
$'n*hing, tong', ,!irling li( ,o many +lam,- %ith to,,ing man and tail and
rolling y th hor, ma(, anothr ,hort *'r/tting r',h and ,top, again, +t
$'n*hd, !at*hing )!l- )!l !al(, ,tadily to!ard him, hi, hand, at hi,
,id,- Sa/ +or )!l., lg, thy ar li( t!o +ig'r, *ar/d +or a ta$la'
,a/ag in th ,'n-
%hn )!l *an almo,t to'*h him, th hor, ,tand, on hi, hind lg, and
,la,h, do!n at )!l- Thn )!l i, n*lo,d $y a glittring ma4 o+ hoo/, a,
$y an ill',ion o+ !ing,@ among thm, $nath th 'p0rard *h,t, h mo/, !ith
th +la,hing lim$rn,, o+ a ,na(- &or an in,tant $+or th 2r( *om, onto
hi, arm, h ,, hi, !hol $ody arth0+r, hori4ontal, !hipping ,na(0'm$r,
'ntil h +ind, th hor,., no,tril, and to'*h, arth again- Thn thy ar
rigid, motionl,,, trri+i*, th hor, $a*(0thr',t on ,ti++nd, 1'i/ring lg,,
!ith lo!rd had@ )!l !ith d'g hl,, ,h'tting o++ th hor,., !ind !ith on
hand, !ith th othr patting th hor,., n*( in ,hort ,tro(, myriad and
*ar,,ing, *'r,ing th hor, !ith o$,*n +ro*ity-
Thy ,tand in rigid trri+i* hiat',, th hor, trm$ling and groaning-
Thn )!l i, on th hor,., $a*(- H +lo!, 'p!ard in a ,tooping ,!irl li( th
la,h o+ a !hip, hi, $ody in midair ,hapd to th hor,- &or anothr momnt th
hor, ,tand, ,praddld, !ith lo!rd had, $+or it $'r,t, into motion- Thy
d,*nd th hill in a ,ri, o+ ,pin02olting 2'mp,, )!l high, l*h0li( on
th !ithr,, to th +n* !hr th hor, $'n*h, to a ,*'ttring halt again-
8%ll,8 )!l ,ay,, 8yo' *an 1'it no!, i+ yo' got a0plnty-8
In,id th $arn )!l ,lid, r'nning to th gro'nd $+or th hor, ,top,-
Th hor, ntr, th ,tall, )!l +ollo!ing- %itho't loo(ing $a*( th hor,
(i*(, at him, ,lamming a ,ingl hoo+ into th !all !ith a pi,tol0li( rport-
)!l (i*(, him in th ,toma*h@ th hor, ar*h, hi, n*( $a*(, *rop0toothd@
)!l ,tri(, him a*ro,, th +a* !ith hi, +i,t and ,lid, on to th tro'gh and
mo'nt, 'pon it- Clinging to th hay0ra*( h lo!r, hi, had and pr, o't a*ro,,
th ,tall top, and thro'gh th door!ay- Th path i, mpty@ +rom hr h *annot
/n har Ca,h ,a!ing- H ra*h, 'p and drag, do!n hay in h'rrid arm,+'l and
*ram, it into th ra*(-
8=at,8 h ,ay,- 8Gt th goddamn ,t'++ o't o+ ,ight !hil yo' got a
*han*, yo' p',,l0g'ttd $a,tard- Yo' ,!t ,on o+ a $it*h,8 h ,ay,-
)!l
ItA, $*a', h ,tay, o't thr, right 'ndr th !indo!, hammring and ,a!ing on
that goddamn $o6- %hr ,hA, got to , him- %hr /ry $rath ,h dra!, i,
+'ll o+ hi, (no*(ing and ,a!ing !hr ,h *an , him ,aying S- S !hat a
good on I am ma(ing +or yo'- I told him to go ,om!hr l,- I ,aid Good God
do yo' !ant to , hr in it- ItA, li( !hn h !a, a littl $oy and ,h ,ay, i+
,h had ,om +rtili4r ,h !o'ld try to rai, ,om +lo!r, and h ta(n th
$rad pan and $ro'ght it $a*( +rom th $arn +'ll o+ d'ng-
And no! thm othr, ,itting thr, li( $'44ard,- %aiting, +anning
thm,l/,- 3*a', I ,aid I+ yo' !o'ldnAt (p on ,a!ing and nailing at it
'ntil a man *ant ,lp /n and hr hand, laying on th 1'ilt li( t!o o+ thm
root, d'g 'p and trid to !a,h and yo' *o'ldnAt gt thm *lan- I *an , th
+an and D!y DllA, arm- I ,aid i+ yo'Ad 2',t lt hr alon- Sa!ing and
(no*(ing, and (ping th air al!ay, mo/ing ,o +a,t on hr +a* that !hn yo'Ar
tird yo' *ant $rath it, and that goddamn ad4 going On li*( l,,- On li*(
l,,- On li*( l,, 'ntil /ry$ody that pa,,, in th road !ill ha/ to ,top
and , it and ,ay !hat a +in *arpntr h i,- I+ it had 2',t $n m !hn Ca,h
+ll o++ o+ that *h'r*h and i+ it had 2',t $n m !hn pa laid ,i*( !ith that
load o+ !ood +ll on him, it !o'ld not $ happning !ith /ry $a,tard in th
*o'nty *oming in to ,tar at hr $*a', i+ thr i, a God !hat th hll i, H
+or- It !o'ld 2',t $ m and hr on a high hill and m rolling th ro*(, do!n
th hill +a*, and tth and all $y God 'ntil ,h !a, 1'it and not that goddamn
ad4 going On li*( l,,- On li*( l,, and ! *o'ld $ 1'it-
Darl
% !at*h him *om aro'nd th *ornr and mo'nt th ,tp,- H do, not loo( at ',-
8Yo' rady>8 h ,ay,-
8I+ yo'.r hit*hd 'p,8 I ,ay- I ,ay 8%ait-8 H ,top,, loo(ing at pa-
?rnon ,pit,, !itho't mo/ing- H ,pit, %ith d*oro', and dli$rat pr*i,ion
into th po*(d d',t $lo! th por*h- :a r'$, hi, hand, ,lo!ly on hi, (n,- H
i, ga4ing o't $yond th *r,t o+ th $l'++, o't a*ro,, th land- )!l !at*h,
him a momnt, thn h go, on to th pail and drin(, again-
8I mi,li( 'nd*i,ion a, m'*h a, r a man,8 :a ,ay,-
8It man, thr dollar,,8 I ,ay- Th ,hirt a*ro,, pa., h'mp i, +add
lightr than th r,t o+ it- Thr i, no ,!at ,tain on hi, ,hirt- I ha/ n/r
,n a ,!at ,tain on hi, ,hirt- H !a, ,i*( on* +rom !or(ing in th ,'n !hn
h !a, t!nty0t!o yar, old, and h tll, popl that i+ h /r ,!at,, h !ill
di- I ,'ppo, h $li/, it-
83't i+ ,h dont la,t 'ntil yo' gt $a*(,8 h ,ay,- 8Sh !ill $
di,appointd-8
?rnon ,pit, into th d',t- 3't it !ill rain $+or morning-
8Sh., *o'ntd on it,8 pa ,ay,- 8Sh.ll !ant to ,tart right a!ay- I (no!
hr- I promi,d hr I.d (p th tam hr and rady, and ,h., *o'nting on it-8
8%.ll nd that thr dollar, thn, ,'r,8 I ,ay- H ga4, o't o/r th
land, r'$$ing hi, hand, on hi, (n,- Sin* h lo,t hi, tth hi, mo'th
*ollap,, in ,lo! rptition !hn h dip,- Th ,t'$$l gi/, hi, lo!r +a* that
apparan* that old dog, ha/- 8Yo'.d $ttr ma( 'p yo'r mind ,oon, ,o ! *an
gt thr and gt a load on $+or dar(,8 I ,ay-
87a aint that ,i*(,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Sh't 'p, Darl-8
BThat., right,8 ?rnon ,ay,- 8Sh ,m, mor li( hr,l+ today than ,h
ha, in a !(- Tim yo' and )!l gt $a*(, ,h.ll $ ,tting 'p-8
8Yo' o'ght to (no!,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Yo' $n hr o+tn no'gh loo(ing at
hr- Yo' or yo'r +ol(,-8 ?rnon loo(, at him- )!l., y, loo( li( pal !ood
in hi, high0$loodd +a*- H i, a had tallr than any o+ th r,t o+ ',, al!ay,
!a,- I told thm that., !hy ma al!ay, !hippd him and pttd him mor- 3*a',
h !a, pa(ling aro'nd th ho', mor- That., !hy ,h namd him )!l I told
thm-
8Sh't 'p, )!l,8 pa ,ay,, $'t a, tho'gh h i, not li,tning m'*h- H
ga4, o't a*ro,, th land, r'$$ing hi, (n,-
8Yo' *o'ld $orro! th loan o+ ?rnon., tam and ! *o'ld *at*h 'p !ith
yo',8 I ,ay- 8I+ ,h didn.t !ait +or ',-8
8Ah, ,h't yo'r goddamn mo'th,8 )!l ,ay,-
8Sh.ll !ant to go in o'rn,8 pa ,ay,- H r'$, hi, (n,- 8Dont r a man
mi,li( it mor-8
8It., laying thr, !at*hing Ca,h !hittl on that damn - - -8 )!l ,ay,-
H ,ay, it har,hly, ,a/agly, $'t h do, not ,ay th !ord- Li( a littl $oy in
th dar( to +lail hi, *o'rag and ,'ddnly agha,t into ,iln* $y hi, o!n noi,-
8Sh !antd that li( ,h !ant, to go in o'r o!n !agon,8 pa ,ay,- 8Sh.ll
r,t a,ir +or (no!ing it., a good on, and pri/at- Sh !a, /r a pri/at
!oman- Yo' (no! it !ll-8
BThn lt it $ pri/at,8 )!l ,ay,- 83't ho! th hll *an yo' 6p*t it
to $008 h loo(, at th $a*( oC pa., had, hi, y, li( pal !oodn y,-
8Sho,8 ?rnon ,ay,, 8,h.ll hold on till it., +ini,hd- Sh.ll hold on
till /rything., rady, till hr o!n good tim- And !ith th road, li( thy
ar no!, it !ont ta( yo' no tim to gt hr to to!n-8
8It., +i6ing 'p to rain,8 pa ,ay,- 8I am a l'*(l,, man- I ha/ /r
$n-8 H r'$, hi, hand, on hi, (n,- 8It., that d'rn do*tor, lia$l to *om at
any tim- I *o'ldn.t gt !ord to him till ,o lat- I+ h !a, to *om tomorro!
and tll hr th tim !a, nigh, ,h !o'ldn.t !ait, I (no! hr- %agon or no
!agon, ,h !o'ldn.t !ait- Thn ,h.d $ 'p,t, and I !o'ldn.t 'p,t hr +or th
li/ing !orld- %ith that +amily $'rying0gro'nd in )++r,on and thm o+ hr $lood
!aiting +or hr thr, ,h.ll $ impatint- I promi,d my !ord m and th $oy,
!o'ld gt hr thr 1'i*( a, m'l, *o'ld !al( it, ,o ,h *o'ld r,t 1'it-8 H
r'$, hi, hand, on hi, (n,- 8No man /r mi,li(d it mor-8
8I+ /ry$ody !a,n.t $'rning hll to gt hr thr,8 )!l ,ay, in that
har,h, ,a/ag /oi*- 8%ith Ca,h all day long right 'ndr th !indo!, hammring
and ,a!ing at that008
8It !a, hr !i,h,8 pa ,ay,- 8Yo' got no a++*tion nor gntln,, +or hr-
Yo' n/r had- % !o'ld $ $holdn to no man,8 h ,ay,, 8m and hr- % ha/
n/r yt $n, and ,h !ill r,t 1'itr +or (no!ing it and that it !a, hr o!n
$lood ,a!d o't th $oard, and dro/ th nail,- Sh !a, /r on to *lan 'p
a+tr hr,l+-8
BIt man, thr dollar,,8 I ,ay- 8Do yo' !ant ', to go, or not>8 :a r'$,
hi, (n,- 8%All $ $a*( $y tomorro! ,'ndo!n-8
8%ll ---8 pa ,ay,- H loo(, o't o/r th land, a!ry0haird, mo'thing th
,n'++ ,lo!ly again,t, hi, g'm,-
8Com on,8 )!l ,ay,- H go, do!n th ,tp,- ?rnon ,pit, natly into
th d',t-
83y ,'ndo!n, no!,8 pa ,ay,- 8I !o'ld not (p hr !aiting-8
)!l glan*, $a*(, thn h go, on aro'nd th ho',- I ntr th hall,
haring th /oi*, $+or I ra*h th door- Tilting a littl do!n th hill, a,
o'r ho', do,, a $r4 dra!, thro'gh th hall all th tim, 'p,lanting- A
+athr droppd nar th +ront door !ill ri, and $r',h along th *iling,
,lanting $a*(!ard, 'ntil it ra*h, th do!n0t'rning *'rrnt at th $a*( door5
,o !ith /oi*,- A, yo' ntr th hall, thy ,o'nd a, tho'gh thy !r ,pa(ing
o't o+ th air a$o't yo'r had-
Cora
It !a, th ,!t,t thing I /r ,a!- It !a, li( h (n! h !o'ld n/r , hr
again, that An, 3'ndrn !a, dri/ing him +rom hi, mothr., dath $d, n/r to
, hr in thi, !orld again- I al!ay, ,aid Darl !a, di++rnt +rom tho, othr,-
I al!ay, ,aid h !a, th only on o+ thm that had hi, mothr., nat'r, had any
nat'ral a++*tion- Not that )!l, th on ,h la$ord ,o to $ar and *oddld
and pttd ,o and him +linging into tantr'm, or ,'l(ing ,pll,, in/nting
d/ilmnt to d/il hr 'ntil I !o'ld ha/ traild him tim and tim- Not him to
*om and tll hr good$y- Not him to mi,, a *han* to ma( that 6tra thr
dollar, at th pri* o+ hi, mothr., good$y (i,,- A 3'ndrn thro'gh and
thro'gh, lo/ing no$ody, *aring +or nothing 6*pt ho! to gt ,omthing !ith th
la,t amo'nt o+ !or(- 7r T'll ,ay, Darl a,(d thm to !ait- H ,aid Darl almo,t
$ggd thm on hi, (n, not to +or* him to la/ hr in hr *ondition- 3't
nothing !o'ld do $'t An, and )!l m',t ma( that thr dollar,- No$ody that
(no!, An, *o'ld ha/ 6p*td di++rnt, $'t to thin( o+ that $oy, that )!l,
,lling all tho, yar, o+ ,l+0dnial and do!n0right partiality00thy *o'ldn.t
+ool m5 7r T'll ,ay, 7r, 3'ndrn li(d )!l th la,t o+ all, $'t I (n!
$ttr- I (n! ,h !a, partial to him, to th ,am 1'ality in him that lt hr
p't 'p !ith An, 3'ndrn !hn 7r T'll ,aid ,h o'ght to poi,ond him00+or thr
dollar,, dnying hi, dying mothr th good$y (i,,-
%hy, +or th la,t thr !(, I ha/ $n *oming o/r /ry tim I *o'ld,
*oming ,omtim, !hn I ,ho'ldn.t ha/, ngl*ting my o!n +amily and d'ti, ,o
that ,om$ody !o'ld $ !ith hr in hr la,t momnt, and ,h !o'ld not ha/ to
+a* th Grat <n(no!n !itho't on +amiliar +a* to gi/ hr *o'rag- Not that I
d,r/ *rdit +or it5 I !ill 6p*t th ,am +or my,l+- 3't than( God it !ill
$ th +a*, o+ my lo/d (in, my $lood and +l,h, +or in my h',$and and *hildrn
I ha/ $n mor $l,,d than mo,t, trial, tho'gh thy ha/ $n at tim,-
Sh li/d, a lonly !oman, lonly !ith hr prid, trying to ma( +ol(,
$li/ di++rnt, hiding th +a*t that thy 2',t ,'++rd hr, $*a', ,h !a,
not *old in th *o++in $+or thy !r *arting hr +orty mil, a!ay to $'ry
hr, +lo'ting th !ill o+ God to do it- ;+',ing to lt hr li in th ,am
arth !ith tho, 3'ndrn,-
83't ,h !antd to go,8 7r T'll ,aid- .It !a, hr o!n !i,h to li among
hr o!n popl-8
8Thn !hy didn.t ,h go ali/>8 I ,aid- 8Not on o+ thm !o'ld ha/
,toppd hr, !ith /n that littl on almo,t old no'gh no! to $ ,l+i,h and
,ton0hartd li( th r,t o+ thm-8
8It !a, hr o!n !i,h,8 7r T'll ,aid- 8I hard An, ,ay it !a,-8
8And yo' !o'ld $li/ An,, o+ *o'r,,8 I ,aid- 8A man li( yo' !o'ld-
Dont tll m-8
8I.d $li/ him a$o't ,omthing h *o'ldn.t 6p*t to ma( anything o++
o+ m $y not tlling,8 7r T'll ,aid-
8Dont tll m,8 I ,aid- 8A !oman., pla* i, !ith hr h',$and and *hildrn,
ali/ or dad- %o'ld yo' 6p*t m to !ant to go $a*( to Ala$ama and la/ yo'
and th girl, !hn my tim *om,, that I l+t o+ my o!n !ill to *a,t my lot !ith
yo'r, +or $ttr and !or,, 'ntil dath and a+tr>8
8%ll, +ol(, ar di++rnt,8 h ,aid-
I ,ho'ld hop ,o- I ha/ trid to li/ right in th ,ight o+ God and man,
+or th honor and *om+ort o+ my Chri,tian h',$and and th lo/ and r,p*t o+ my
Chri,tian *hildrn- So that !hn I lay m do!n in th *on,*io',n,, o+ my d'ty
and r!ard I !ill $ ,'rro'ndd $y lo/ing +a*,, *arrying th +ar!ll (i,, o+
a*h o+ my lo/d on, into my r!ard- Not li( Addi 3'ndrn dying alon, hiding
hr prid and hr $ro(n hart- Glad to go- Lying thr !ith hr had proppd 'p
,o ,h *o'ld !at*h Ca,h $'ilding th *o++in, ha/ing to !at*h him ,o h !o'ld not
,(imp on it, li( a, not, !ith tho, mn not !orrying a$o't anything 6*pt i+
thr !a, tim to arn anothr thr dollar, $+or th rain *om and th ri/r
got too high to gt a*ro,, it- Li( a, not, i+ thy hadn.t d*idd to ma( that
la,t load, thy !o'ld ha/ loadd hr into th !agon on a 1'ilt and *ro,,d th
ri/r +ir,t and thn ,toppd and gi/ hr tim to di !hat Chri,tian dath thy
!o'ld lt hr-
=6*pt Darl- It !a, th ,!t,t thing I /r ,a!- Somtim, I lo, +aith
in h'man nat'r +or a tim@ I am a,,aild $y do'$t- 3't al!ay, th Lord r,tor,
my +aith and r/al, to m Hi, $o'nto', lo/ +or Hi, *rat'r,- Not )!l, th
on ,h had al!ay, *hri,hd, not him- H !a, a+tr that thr 6tra dollar,- It
!a, Darl, th on that +ol(, ,ay i, 1'r, la4y, pottring a$o't th pla* no
$ttr than An,, !ith Ca,h a good *arpntr and al!ay, mor $'ilding than h
*an gt aro'nd to, and )!l al!ay, doing ,omthing that mad him ,om mony or
got him tal(d a$o't, and that nar0na(d girl al!ay, ,tanding o/r Addi !ith a
+an ,o that /ry tim a $ody trid to tal( to hr and *hr hr 'p, !o'ld
an,!r +or hr right 1'i*(, li( ,h !a, trying to (p any$ody +rom *oming nar
hr at all-
It !a, Darl- H *om to th door and ,tood thr, loo(ing at hi, dying
mothr- H 2',t loo(d at hr, and I +lt th $o'nto', lo/ o+ th Lord again
and Hi, mr*y- I ,a! that !ith )!l ,h had 2',t $n prtnding, $'t that it
!a, $t!n hr and Darl that th 'ndr,tanding and th tr' lo/ !a,- H 2',t
loo(d at hr, not /n *oming in !hr ,h *o'ld , him and gt 'p,t, (no!ing
that An, !a, dri/ing him a!ay and h !o'ld n/r , hr again- H ,aid
nothing, 2',t loo(ing at hr-
8%hat yo' !ant, Darl>8 D!y Dll ,aid, not ,topping th +an, ,pa(ing 'p
1'i*(, (ping /n him +rom hr- H didn.t an,!r- H 2',t ,tood and loo(d at
hi, dying mothr, hi, hart too +'ll +or !ord,-
D!y Dll
Th +ir,t tim m and La+ pi*(d on do!n th ro!- :a da,,nt ,!at $*a', h
!ill *at*h hi, dath +rom th ,i*(n,, ,o /ry$ody that *om, to hlp ',- And
)!l dont *ar a$o't anything h i, not (in to ', in *aring, not *ar0(in- And
Ca,h li( ,a!ing th long hot ,ad yllo! day, 'p into plan(, and nailing thm to
,omthing- And pa thin(, $*a', nigh$or, !ill al!ay, trat on anothr that
!ay $*a', h ha, al!ay, $n too $',y ltting nigh$or, do +or him to +ind
o't- And I did not thin( that Darl !o'ld, that ,it, at th ,'ppr ta$l !ith hi,
y, gon +'rthr than th +ood and th lamp, +'ll o+ th land d'g o't o+ hi,
,('ll and th hol, +illd !ith di,tan* $yond th land-
% pi*(d on do!n th ro!, th !ood, gtting *lo,r and *lo,r and th
,*rt ,had, pi*(ing on into th ,*rt ,had !ith my ,a*( and La+., ,a*(-
3*a', I ,aid !ill I or !ont I !hn th ,a*( !a, hal+ +'ll $*a', I ,aid i+
th ,a*( i, +'ll !hn ! gt to th !ood, it !ont $ m- I ,aid i+ it dont man
+or m to do it th ,a*( !ill not $ +'ll and I !ill t'rn 'p th n6t ro! $'t i+
th ,a*( i, +'ll, I *annot hlp it- It !ill $ that I had to do it all th tim
and I *annot hlp it- And ! pi*(d on to!ard th ,*rt ,had and o'r y,
!o'ld dro!n togthr to'*hing on hi, hand, and my hand, and I didn.t ,ay
anything- I ,aid 8%hat ar yo' doing>8 and h ,aid 8I am pi*(ing into yo'r
,a*(-8 And ,o it !a, +'ll !hn ! *am to th nd o+ th ro! and I *o'ld not
hlp it-
And ,o it !a, $*a', I *o'ld not hlp it- It !a, thn, and thn I ,a!
Darl and h (n!- H ,aid h (n! !itho't th !ord, li( h told m that ma i,
going to di !itho't !ord,, and I (n! h (n! $*a', i+ h had ,aid h (n!
!ith th !ord, I !o'ld not ha/ $li/d that h had $n thr and ,a! ',- 3't
h ,aid h did (no! and I ,aid 8Ar yo' going to tll pa ar yo' going to (ill
him>8 !itho't th !ord, I ,aid it and h ,aid 8%hy>8 !itho't th !ord,- And
that., !hy I *an tal( to him !ith (no!ing !ith hating $*a', h (no!,-
H ,tand, in th door, loo(ing at hr-
8%hat yo' !ant, Darl>8 I ,ay-
8Sh i, going to di,8 h ,ay,- And old t'r(y0$'44ard T'll *oming to
!at*h hr di $'t I *an +ool thm-
8%hn i, ,h going to di>8 I ,ay-
83+or ! gt $a*(,8 h ,ay,-
8Thn !hy ar yo' ta(ing )!l>8 I ,ay-
8I !ant him to hlp m load,8 h ,ay,-
T'll
An, (p, on r'$$ing hi, (n,- Hi, o/rall, ar +add@ on on (n a ,rg
pat*h *'t o't o+ a pair o+ S'nday pant,, !or iron0,li*(- 8No man mi,li(, it
mor than m,8 h ,ay,-
8A +llo!., got to g',, ahad no! and thn,8 I ,ay- 83't, *om long and
,hort, it !ont $ no harm don nithr !ay-8
8Sh.ll !ant to gt ,tartd right o++,8 h ,ay,- 8It., +ar no'gh to
)++r,on at $,t-8
83't th road, i, good no!,8 I ,ay- It., +i6ing to rain tonight, too- Hi,
+ol(, $'ri, at N! Hop, too, not thr mil, a!ay- 3't it., 2',t li( him to
marry a !oman $orn a day., hard rid a!ay and ha/ hr di on him-
H loo(, o't o/r th land, r'$$ing hi, (n,- 8No man ,o mi,li(, it,8 h
,ay,-
8Thy.ll gt $a*( in plnty o+ tim,8 I ,ay- 8I !o'ldn.t !orry non-8
8It man, thr dollar,,8 h ,ay,-
87ight $ it !ont $ no nd +or thm to r',h $a*(, no!ay,,8 I ,ay- 8I
hop it-8
8Sh., a0going,8 h ,ay,- 8Hr mind i, ,t on it-8
It., a hard li+ on !omn, +or a +a*t- Som !omn- I mind my mammy li/d
to $ ,/nty and mor- %or(d /ry day, rain or ,hin@ n/r a ,i*( day ,in*
hr la,t *hap !a, $orn 'ntil on day ,h (ind o+ loo(d aro'nd hr and thn ,h
!nt and ta(n that la*0trimmd night go!n ,h had had +orty0+i/ yar, and
n/r !or o't o+ th *h,t and p't it on and laid do!n on th $d and p'lld
th *o/r, 'p and ,h't hr y,- 8Yo' all !ill ha/ to loo( o't +or pa th $,t
yo' *an,8 ,h ,aid- 8I.m tird-8
An, r'$, hi, hand, on hi, (n,- 8Th Lord gi/th,8 h ,ay,- % *an har
Ca,h a0hammring and ,a!ing $yond th *ornr-
It., tr'- N/r a tr'r $rath !a, /r $rathd- 8Th Lord gi/th,8 I
,ay-
That $oy *om, 'p th hill- H i, *arrying a +i,h nigh long a, h i,- H
,ling, it to th gro'nd and gr'nt, 8Hah8 and ,pit, o/r hi, ,ho'ldr li( a man-
D'rn nigh long a, h i,-
8%hat., that>8 I ,ay- 8A hog> %hr.d yo' gt it>8
8Do!n to th $ridg,8 h ,ay,- H t'rn, it o/r, th 'ndr ,id *a(d o/r
!ith d',t !hr it i, !t, th y *oatd o/r, h'mpd 'ndr th dirt-
8Ar yo' aiming to la/ it laying thr>8 An, ,ay,-
8I aim to ,ho! it to ma,8 ?ardaman ,ay,- H loo(, to!ard th door- % *an
har th tal(ing, *oming o't on th dra+t- Ca,h, too, (no*(ing and hammring at
th $oard,- 8Thr., *ompany in thr,8 h ,ay,-
8)',t my +ol(,,8 I ,ay- 8Thy.d n2oy to , it too-8
H ,ay, nothing, !at*hing th door- Thn h loo(, do!n at th +i,h laying
in th d',t- H t'rn, it o/r !ith hi, +oot and prod, at th y0$'mp !ith hi,
to, go'ging at it- An, i, loo(ing o't o/r th land- ?ardaman loo(, at An,.,
+a*, thn at th door- H t'rn,, going to!ard th *ornr o+ th ho',, !hn
An, *all, him !itho't loo(ing aro'nd-
8Yo' *lan that +i,h,8 An, ,ay,- ?ardaman ,top,- 8%hy *ant D!y Dll
*lan it>8 h ,ay,-
8Yo' *lan that +i,h,8 An, ,ay,-
8A!, pa,8 ?ardaman ,ay,-
8Yo' *lan it,8 An, ,ay,- H dont loo( aro'nd- ?ardaman *om, $a*( and
pi*(, 'p th +i,h- It ,lid, o't o+ hi, hand,, ,maring !t dirt onto him, and
+lop, do!n, dirtying it,l+ again, gapmo'thd, goggl0yd, hiding into th d',t
li( it !a, a,hamd o+ $ing dad, li( it !a, in a h'rry to gt $a*( hid
again-. ?ardaman *',,, it- H *',,, it li( a gro!n man, ,tanding a0,traddl
o+ it- An, dont loo( aro'nd- ?ardaman pi*(, it 'p again- H go, on aro'nd th
ho',, toting it in $oth arm, li( a arm+'l o+ !ood, it o/rlapping him on $oth
nd,, had and tail- D'rn nigh $ig a, h i,-
An,., !ri,t, dangl o't o+ hi, ,l/,5 I n/r , him !ith a ,hirt on
that loo(d li( it !a, hi, in all my li+- Thy all loo(d li( )!l might
ha/ gi/ him hi, old on,- Not )!l, tho'gh- H., long0armd, /n i+ h i,
,pindling- =6*pt +or th la*( o+ ,!at- Yo' *o'ld tll thy aint $n no$ody
l,., $'t An,., that !ay !itho't no mi,ta(- Hi, y, loo( li( pi*, o+
$'rnt0o't *indr +i6d in hi, +a*, loo(ing o't o/r th land-
%hn th ,hado! to'*h, th ,tp, h ,ay, 8ItA, +i/ o*lo*(-8
)',t a, I gt 'p Cora *om, to th door and ,ay, it., tim to gt on- An,
ra*h, +or hi, ,ho,- 8No!, 7r 3'ndrn,8 Cora ,ay,, 8dont yo' gt 'p no!-8 H
p't, hi, ,ho, on, ,tomping into thm, li( h do, /rything, li( h i,
hoping all th tim h rally *ant do it and *an 1'it trying to- %hn ! go 'p
th hall ! *an har thm *l'mping on th +loor li( thy !a, iron ,ho,- H
*om, to!ard th door !hr ,h i,, $lin(ing hi, y,, (ind o+ loo(ing ahad o+
hi,,l+ $+or h ,,, li( h i, hoping to +ind hr ,tting 'p, in a *hair
may$ or may$ ,!ping, and loo(, into th door in that ,'rpri,d !ay li( h
loo(, in and +ind, hr ,till in $d /ry tim and D!y Dll ,till a0+anning
hr !ith th +an- H ,tand, thr, li( h dont aim to mo/ again nor nothing
l,-
8%ll, I r*(on ! $ttr gt on,8 Cora ,ay,- 8I got to +d th
*hi*(n,-8 It., +i6ing to rain, too- Clo'd, li( that dont li, and th *otton
ma(ing /ry day th Lord ,nd,- That.ll $ ,omthing l, +or him- Ca,h i,
,till trimming at th $oard,- 8I+ thr., r a thing ! *an do,8 Cora ,ay,-
8An,All lt ', (no!,8 I ,ay-
An, dont loo( at ',- H loo(, aro'nd, $lin(ing, in that ,'rpri,d !ay,
li( h had !or hi,,l+ do!n $ing ,'rpri,d and !a, /n ,'rpri,d at that- I+
Ca,h 2',t !or(, that *ar+'l on my $arn-
8I told An, it li(ly !ont $ no nd,8 I ,ay- 8I ,o hop it-8
8Hr mind i, ,t on it,8 h ,ay,- 8I r*(on ,h., $o'nd to go-8
8It *om, to all o+ ',,8 Cora ,ay,- 8Lt th Lord *om+ort yo'-8
8A$o't that *orn,8 I ,ay- I tll him again I !ill hlp him o't i+ h gt,
into a tight, !ith hr ,i*( and all- Li( mo,t +ol(, aro'nd hr, I don holp
him ,o m'*h alrady I *ant 1'it no!-
8I aimd to gt to it today,8 h ,ay,- 8Sm, li( I *ant gt my mind on
nothing-8
87ay$ ,h.ll hold o't till yo' ar laid0$y,8 I ,ay-
8I+ God !ill, it,8 h ,ay,-
8Lt Him *om+ort yo',8 Cora ,ay,-
I+ Ca,h 2',t !or(, that *ar+'l on my $arn- H loo(, 'p !hn ! pa,,-
8Dont r*(on I.ll gt to yo' thi, !(,8 h ,ay,-
8ATaint no r',h,8 I ,ay- 8%hn/r yo' gt aro'nd to it-8
% gt into th !agon- Cora ,t, th *a( $o6 on hr lap- It., +i6ing to
rain, ,ho-
8I dont (no! !hat h.ll do,8 Cora ,ay,- 8I 2',t dont (no!-8
8:oor An,,8 I ,ay- 8Sh (pt him at !or( +or thirty0odd yar,- I r*(on
,h i, tird-8
8And I r*(on ,h.ll $ $hind him +or thirty yar, mor,8 9at ,ay,- 8Or
i+ it aint hr, hAll gt anothr on $+or *otton0pi*(ing-8
8I r*(on Ca,h and Darl *an gt marrid no!,8 ='la ,ay,-
8That poor $oy,8 Cora ,ay,- 8Th poor littl ty(-8
8%hat a$o't )!l>8 9at ,ay,-
8H *an, too,8 ='la ,ay,-
8Hmph,8 9at ,ay,- 8I r*(on h !ill- I r*(on ,o- I r*(on thr., mor
gal, than on aro'nd hr that dont !ant to , )!l tid do!n- %ll, thy
ndn.t to !orry-8
8%hy, 9atD8 Cora ,ay,- Th !agon $gin, to rattl- 8Th poor littl
ty(,8 Cora ,ay,-
It., +i6ing to rain thi, night- Y,, ,ir- A rattling !agon i, mighty dry
!athr, +or a 3ird,ll- 3't that.ll $ *'rd- It !ill +or a +a*t-
8Sh o'ght to ta(n thm *a(, a+tr ,h ,aid ,h !o'ld,8 9at ,ay,-
An,
D'rn that road- And it +i6ing to rain, too- I *an ,tand hr and ,am a, , it
!ith ,*ond0,ight, a0,h'tting do!n $hind thm li( a !all, ,h'tting do!n
$t!i6t thm and my gi/n promi,- I do th $,t I *an, m'*h a, I *an gt my
mind on anything, $'t d'rn thm $oy,-
A0laying thr, right tip to my door, !hr /ry $ad l'*( that *om, and
go, i, $o'nd to +ind it- I told Addi it !ant any l'*( li/ing on a road !hn it
*om $y hr, and ,h ,aid, +or th !orld li( a !oman, 8Gt 'p and mo/, thn-8
3't I told hr it !ant no l'*( in it, $*a', th Lord p't road, +or tra/lling5
!hy H laid thm do!n +lat on th arth- %hn H aim, +or ,omthing to $ al!ay,
a0mo/ing, H ma(, it long!ay,, li( a road or a hor, or a !agon, $'t !hn H
aim, +or ,omthing to ,tay p't, H ma(, it 'p0and0do!n !ay,, li( a tr or a
man- And ,o h n/r aimd +or +ol(, to li/ on a road, $*a', !hi*h gt, thr
+ir,t, I ,ay,, th road or th ho',> Did yo' /r (no! Him to ,t a road do!n
$y a ho',> I ,ay,- No yo' n/r, I ,ay,, $*a', it., al!ay, mn *ant r,t till
thy gt, th ho', ,t !hr /ry$ody that pa,,, in a !agon *an ,pit in th
door!ay, (ping th +ol(, r,tl,, and !anting to gt 'p and go ,om!hr, l,
!hn H aimd +or thm to ,tay p't li( a tr or a ,tand o+ *orn- 3*a', i+
H.d a aimd +or man to $ al!ay, a0mo/ing and going ,om!hr, l,, !o'ldn.t
H a p't him long!ay, on hi, $lly, li( a ,na(> It ,tand, to ra,on H !o'ld-
:'tting it !hr /ry $ad l'*( pro!ling *an +ind it and *om ,traight to
my door, *harging m ta6, on top o+ it- 7a(ing m pay +or Ca,h ha/ing to gt
thm *arpntr notion, !hn i+ it hadn.t $n no road *om thr, h !o'ldn.t a
got thm@ +alling o++ o+ *h'r*h, and li+ting no hand in ,i6 month, and m and
Addi ,la/ing and a0,la/ing, !hn thr., plnty o+ ,a!ing@ on thi, pla* h
*o'ld do i+ h., got to ,a!-
And Darl too- Tal(ing m o't o+ him, d'rn thm- It aint that I am a+raid
o+ !or(@ I al!ay, i, +d m and min and (pt a roo+ a$o/ ',5 it., that thy
!o'ld ,hort0hand m 2',t $*a', h tnd, to hi, o!n $',in,,, 2',t $*a', h.,
got hi, y, +'ll o+ th land all th tim- I ,ay, to thm, h !a, all right at
+ir,t, !ith hi, y, +'ll o+ th land, $*a', th land laid 'p0and0do!n !ay,
thn@ it !a,n.t till that r road *om and ,!it*hd th land aro'nd long!ay,
and hi, y, ,till +'ll o+ th land, that thy $g'n to thratn m o't o+ him,
trying to ,hort0hand m !ith th la!-
7a(ing m pay +or it- Sh !a, !ll and hal a, r a !oman /r !r,
6*pt +or that road- )',t laying do!n, r,ting hr,l+ in hr o!n $d, a,(ing
na'ght o+ non- 8Ar yo' ,i*(, Addi>8 I ,aid-
8I am not ,i*(,8 ,h ,aid-
8Yo' lay yo' do!n and r,t yo',8 I ,aid- 8I (no!d yo' ar not ,i*(-
Yo'.r 2',t tird- Yo' lay yo' do!n and r,t-8
8I am not ,i*(,8 ,h ,aid- 8I !ill gt 'p-8
8Lay ,till and r,t,8 I ,aid- .Yo' ar 2',t tird- Yo' *an gt 'p
tomorro!-8 And ,h !a, laying thr, !ll and hal a, r a !oman /r !r,
6*pt +or that road-
8I n/r ,nt +or yo',8 I ,aid- 8I ta( yo' to !itn,, I n/r ,nt +or
yo'-8
8I (no! yo' didn.t,8 :a$ody ,aid- 8I $o'nd that- %hr i, ,h>8
8Sh., a0laying do!n,8 I ,aid- 8Sh., 2',t a littl tird, $'t ,h.ll008
8Gt o'tn hr, An,,8 h ,aid- 8Go ,t on th por*h a !hil-8
And no! I got to pay +or it, m !itho't a tooth in my had, hoping to gt
ahad no'gh ,o I *o'ld gt my mo'th +i6d !hr I *o'ld at God., o!n /i*t'al,
a, a man ,ho'ld, and hr hal and !ll a, r a !oman in th land 'ntil that
day- Got to pay +or $ing p't to th nd o+ that thr dollar,- Got to pay +or
th !ay +or thm $oy, to ha/ to go a!ay to arn it- And no! I *an , ,am a,
,*ond ,ight th rain ,h'tting do!n $t!i6t ',, a0*oming 'p that road li( a
d'rn man, li( it !ant r a othr ho', to rain on in all th li/ing land-
I ha/ hard mn *',, thir l'*(, and right, +or thy !r ,in+'l mn- 3't
I do not ,ay it., a *'r, on m, $*a', I ha/ don no !rong to $ *',,d $y- I
am not rligio',, I r*(on- 3't pa* i, my hart5 I (no! it i,- I ha/ don
thing, $'t nithr $ttr nor !or, than thm that prtnd othrli(, and I (no!
that Old 7ar,tr !ill *ar +or m a, +or r a ,parro! that +all,- 3't it ,m,
hard that a man in hi, nd *o'ld $ ,o +lo'td $y a road-
?ardaman *om, aro'nd th ho',, $loody a, a hog to hi, (n,, and that
r +i,h *hoppd 'p !ith th a6 li( a, not, or may$ thro!d a!ay +or him to
li a$o't th dog, t it- %ll, I r*(on I aint no *all to 6p*t no mor o+ him
than o+ hi, man0gro!d $rothr,- H *om, along, !at*hing th ho',, 1'it, and
,it, on th ,tp,- 8%h!,8 h ,ay,, 8I.m p'r tird-8
8Go !a,h thm hand,,8 I ,ay- 3't *o'ldn.t no !oman ,tro/ hardr than
Addi to ma( thm right, man and $oy5 IAll ,ay that +or hr-
8It !a, +'ll o+ $lood and g't, a, a hog,8 h ,ay,- 3't I 2',t *ant ,m to
gt no hart into anything, !ith thi, hr !athr ,apping m, too- 8:a,8 h
,ay,, 8i, ma ,i*( ,om mor>8
8Go !a,h thm hand,,8 I ,ay- 3't I 2',t *ant ,m to gt no hart into it-
Darl
H ha, $n to to!n thi, !(5 th $a*( o+ hi, n*( i, trimmd *lo,, !ith a
!hit lin $t!n hair and ,'n$'rn li( a 2oint o+ !hit $on- H ha, not on*
loo(d $a*(-
8)!l,8 I ,ay- 3a*( r'nning, t'nnlld $t!n th t!o ,t, o+ $o$$ing
m'l ar,, th road /ani,h, $nath th !agon a, tho'gh it !r a ri$$on and
th +ront a6l !r a ,pool- 8Do yo' (no! ,h i, going to di, )!l>8
It ta(, t!o popl to ma( yo', and on popl to di- That., ho! th
!orld i, going to nd-
I ,aid to D!y Dll5 8Yo' !ant hr to di ,o yo' *an gt to to!n5 i, that
it>8 Sh !o'ldn.t ,ay !hat ! $oth (n!- 8Th ra,on yo' !ill not ,ay it i,,
!hn yo' ,ay it, /n to yo'r,l+, yo' !ill (no! it i, tr'5 i, that it> 3't yo'
(no! it i, tr' no!- I *an almo,t tll yo' th day !hn yo' (n! it i, tr'- %hy
!ont yo' ,ay it, /n to yo'r,l+>8 Sh !ill not ,ay it- Sh 2',t (p, on
,aying Ar yo' going to tll pa> Ar yo' going to (ill him> 8Yo' *annot $li/
it i, tr' $*a', yo' *annot $li/ that D!y Dll, D!y Dll 3'ndrn, *o'ld
ha/ ,'*h $ad l'*(5 i, that it>8
Th ,'n, an ho'r a$o/ th hori4on, i, poi,d li( a $loody gg 'pon a
*r,t o+ th'ndrhad,@ th light ha, t'rnd *oppr5 in th y portnto',, in
th no, ,'lph'ro',, ,mlling o+ lightning- %hn :a$ody *om,, thy !ill ha/
to ', th rop- H ha, p',,l0g'ttd him,l+ ating *old grn,- %ith th rop
thy !ill ha'l him 'p th path, $alloon0li( 'p th ,'lph'ro', air-
8)!l,8 I ,ay, 8do yo' (no! that Addi 3'ndrn i, going to di> Addi
3'ndrn i, going to di>8
:a$ody
%hn An, +inally ,nt +or m o+ hi, o!n a**ord, I ,aid 8H ha, !or hr o't at
la,t-8 And I ,aid a damn good thing, and at +ir,t I !o'ld not go $*a', thr
might $ ,omthing I *o'ld do and I !o'ld ha/ to ha'l hr $a*(, $y God- I
tho'ght may$ thy ha/ th ,am ,ort o+ +ool thi*, in ha/n thy ha/ in th
7di*al Collg and that it !a, may$ ?rnon l'll ,nding +or m again, gtting
m thr in th ni*( o+ tim, a, ?rnom al!ay, do, thing,, gtting th mo,t +or
An,., mony li( h do, +or hi, o!n- 3't !hn it got +ar no'gh into th day
+or m to rad !athr ,ign I (n! it *o'ldn.t ha/ $n any$ody $'t An, that
,nt- I (n! that no$ody $'t a l'*(l,, man *o'ld /r nd a do*tor in th +a*
o+ a *y*lon- And I (n! that i+ it had +inally o**'rrd to An, him,l+ that h
ndd on, it !a, alrady too lat-
%hn I ra*h th ,pring and gt do!n and hit*h th tam, th ,'n ha, gon
do!n $hind a $an( o+ $la*( *lo'd li( a topha/y mo'ntain rang, li( a load o+
*indr, d'mpd o/r thr, and thr i, no !ind- I *o'ld har Ca,h ,a!ing +or a
mil $+or I got thr- An, i, ,tanding at th top o+ th $l'++ a$o/ th
path-
8%hr., th hor,>8 I ,ay-
8)!l., ta(n and gon,8 h ,ay,- 8Cant no$ody l, (t*h hit- Yo'.ll
ha/ to !al( 'p, I r*(on-8
87, !al( 'p, !ighing t!o h'ndrd and t!nty0+i/ po'nd,>8 I ,ay- 8%al(
'p that d'rn !all>8 H ,tand, thr $,id a tr- Too $ad th Lord mad th
mi,ta( o+ gi/ing tr, root, and gi/ing th An, 3'ndrn, H ma(, +t and
lg,- I+ H.d 2',t ,!appd thm, thr !o'ldn.t /r $ a !orry a$o't thi,
*o'ntry $ing d+or,td ,omday- Or any othr *o'ntry- 8%hat do yo' aim +or m
to do>8 I ,ay- 8Stay hr and gt $lo!d *lan o't -o+ th *o'nty !hn that
*lo'd $ra(,>8 =/n !ith th hor, it !o'ld ta( m +i+tn min't, to rid 'p
a*ro,, th pa,t'r to th top o+ th ridg and ra*h th ho',- Th path loo(,
li( a *roo(d lim$ $lo!n again,t th $l'++- An, ha, not $n in to!n in t!l/
yar,- And ho! hi, mothr /r got 'p thr to $ar him, h $ing hi, mothr.,
,on-
8?ardaman., gittin th rop,8 h ,ay,-
A+tr a !hil ?ardaman appar, !ith th plo!lin- H gi/, th nd o+ it
to An, and *om, do!n th path, 'n*oiling it-
8Yo' hold it tight,8 I ,ay- 8I don alrady !rot thi, /i,it onto my
$oo(,, ,o I.m going to *harg yo' 2',t th ,am, !hthr I gt thr or not-8
8I got hit,8 An, ,ay,- 8Yo' (in *om on 'p-8
I.ll $ damnd i+ I *an , !hy I dont 1'it- A man ,/nty yar, old,
!ighing t!o h'ndrd and odd po'nd,, $ing ha'ld 'p and do!n a damn mo'ntain on
a rop- I r*(on it., $*a', I m',t ra*h th +i+ty tho',and dollar mar( o+
dad a**o'nt, on my $oo(, $+or I *an 1'it- 8%hat th hll do, yo'r !i+
man,8 I ,ay, 8ta(ing ,i*( on top o+ a d'rn mo'ntain>8
8I.m right ,orry,8 h ,ay,- H lt th rop go, 2',t droppd it, and h
ha, t'rnd to!ard th ho',- Thr i, a littl daylight 'p hr ,till, o+ th
*olor o+ ,'lph'r mat*h,- Th $oard, loo( li( ,trip, o+ ,'lph'r- Ca,h do, not
loo( $a*(- ?rnon T'll ,ay, h $ring, a*h , $oard 'p to th !indo! +or hr to
, it and ,ay it i, all right- Th $oy o/rta(, ',- An, loo(, $a*( at him-
8%hr., th rop>8 h ,ay,-
8It., !hr yo' l+t it,8 I ,ay- 83't n/r yo' mind that rop- I got to
gt $a*( do!n that $l'++- I dont aim +or that ,torm to *at*h m 'p hr- IAd
$lo! too d'rn +ar on* I got ,tartd-8
Th girl i, ,tanding $y th $d, +anning hr- %hn ! ntr ,h t'rn, hr
had and loo(, at ',- Sh ha, $n dad th, tn day,- I ,'ppo, it., ha/ing
$n a part o+ An, +or ,o long that ,h *annot /n ma( that *hang, i+ *hang
it $- I *an rmm$r ho! !hn I !a, yo'ng I $li/d dath to $ a phnomnon
o+ th $ody@ no! I (no! it to $ mrly a +'n*tion o+ th mind and that o+ th
mind, o+ th on, !ho ,'++r th $ra/mnt- Th nihili,t, ,ay it i, th nd@
th +'ndamntali,t,, th $ginning@ !hn in rality it i, no mor than a ,ingl
tnant or +amily mo/ing o't o+ a tnmnt or a to!n-
Sh loo(, at ',- Only hr y, ,m to mo/- It., li( thy to'*h ',, not
!ith ,ight or ,n,, $'t li( th ,tram +rom a ho, to'*h, yo', th ,tram at
th in,tant o+ impa*t a, di,,o*iatd +rom th no44l a, tho'gh it had n/r $n
thr- Sh do, not loo( at An, at all- Sh loo(, at m, thn at th $oy-
3nath th 1'ilt ,h i, no mor than a $'ndl o+ rottn ,ti*(,-
8%ll, 7i,, Addi,8 I ,ay- Th girl do, not ,top th +an- 8Ho! ar yo',
,i,tr>8 I ,ay- Hr had li, ga'nt on th pillo!, loo(ing at th $oy- 8Yo'
pi*(d o't a +in tim to gt m o't hr and $ring 'p a ,torm-8 Thn I ,nd
An, and th $oy o't- Sh !at*h, th $oy a, h la/, th room- Sh ha, not
mo/d ,a/ hr y,-
H and An, ar on th por*h !hn I *om o't, th $oy ,itting on th
,tp,, An, ,tanding $y a po,t, not /n laning again,t it, hi, arm, dangling,
th hair p',hd and mattd 'p on hi, had li( a dippd roo,tr- H t'rn, hi,
had, $lin(ing at m-
8%hy didn.t yo' ,nd +or m ,oonr>8 I ,ay-
8Hit !a, 2,t on thing and thn anothr,8 h ,ay,- .That r *orn m and th
$oy, !a, aimin to git 'p !ith, and D!y Dll a0ta(in good (r o+ hr, and
+ol(, *omin in, a0o++rin to hlp and ,i*h, till I 2,t tho'ght - - -8
8Damn th mony,8 I ,ay- 8Did yo' /r har o+ m !orrying a +llo! $+or
h !a, rady to pay>8
8Hit aint $gr'dgin th mony,8 h ,ay,- 8I 2,t (pt a0thin(in - - -
Sh., goin, i, ,h>8 Th d'rn littl ty( i, ,itting on th top ,tp, loo(ing
,mallr than /r in th ,'lph'r0*olord light- That., th on tro'$l !ith thi,
*o'ntry5 /rything, !athr, all, hang, on too long- Li( o'r ri/r,, o'r land5
opa1', ,lo!, /iolnt@ ,haping and *rating th 7 o+ man in it, impla*a$l and
$rooding imag- 8I (no!d hit,8 An, ,ay,- 8All th !hil I mad ,ho- Hr mind
i, ,ot on hit-8
8And a damn good thing, too,8 I ,ay- 8%ith a tri+ling008 H ,it, on th
top ,tp, ,mall, motionl,, in +add o/rall,- %hn I *am o't h loo(d 'p at
m, thn at An,- 3't no! h ha, ,toppd loo(ing at ',- H 2',t ,it, thr-
8Ha/ yo' told hr yit>8 An, ,ay,-
8%hat +or>8 I ,ay- 8%hat th d/il +or>8
8Shll (no! hit- I (no!d that !hn ,h , yo' ,h !o'ld (no! hit, ,am
a, !riting- Yo' !o'ldn.t nd to tll hr- Hr mind008
3hind ', th girl ,ay,, 8:a!-8 I loo( at hr, at hr +a*-
8Yo' $ttr go 1'i*(,8 I ,ay-
%hn ! ntr th room ,h i, !at*hing th door- Sh loo(, at m- Hr y,
loo( li( lamp, $laring 'p 2',t $+or th oil i, gon- 8Sh !ant, yo' to go
o't,8 th girl ,ay,-
8No!, Addi,8 An, ,ay,, 8!hn h *om all th !ay +rom )++r,on to git
yo' !ll>8 Sh !at*h, m5 I *an +l hr y,- It., li( ,h !a, ,ho/ing at m
!ith thm- I ha/ ,n it $+or in !omn- Sn thm dri/ +rom th room thm
*oming !ith ,ympathy and pity, !ith a*t'al hlp, and *linging to ,om tri+ling
animal to !hom thy n/r !r mor than pa*(0hor,,- That., !hat thy man $y
th lo/ that pa,,th 'ndr,tanding5 that prid, that +'rio', d,ir to hid
that a$2*t na(dn,, !hi*h ! $ring hr !ith ',, *arry !ith ', into oprating
room,, *arry ,t'$$ornly and +'rio',ly !ith ', into th arth again- I la/ th
room- 3yond th por*h Ca,h., ,a! ,nor, ,tadily into th $oard- A min't latr
,h *all, hi, nam, hr /oi* har,h and ,trong-
8Ca,h,8 ,h ,ay,@ 8yo', Ca,hD8
Darl
:a ,tand, $,id th $d- &rom $hind hi, lg ?ardaman pr,, !ith hi, ro'nd
had and hi, y, ro'nd and hi, mo'th $ginning to opn- Sh loo(, at pa@ all
hr +ailing li+ appar, to drain into hr y,, 'rgnt, irrmdia$l- 8It.,
)!l ,h !ant,,8 D!y Dll ,ay,-
8%hy, Addl,8 pa ,ay,, 8him and Darl !nt to ma( on mor load- Thy
tho'ght thr !a, tim- That yo' !o'ld !ait +or thm, and that thr dollar, and
all- - - -8 H ,toop, laying hi, hand on hr,- &or a !hil yt ,h loo(, at him,
!itho't rproa*h, !itho't anything at all, a, i+ hr y, alon ar li,tning to
th irr/o*a$l *,,ation o+ hi, /oi*- Thn ,h rai,, hr,l+, !ho ha, not
mo/d in tn day,- D!y Dll lan, do!n, trying to pr,, hr $a*(-
87a,8 ,h ,ay,@ 8ma-8
Sh i, loo(ing o't th !indo!, at Ca,h ,tooping ,tadily at th $oard in
th +ailing light, la$oring on to!ard dar(n,, and into it a, tho'gh th
,tro(ing o+ th ,a! ill'mind it, o!n motion, $oard and ,a! ngndrd-
8Yo', Ca,h,8 ,h ,ho't,, hr /oi* har,h, ,trong, and 'nimpaird- 8Yo',
Ca,hD8
H loo(, 'p at th ga'nt +a* +ramd $y th !indo! in th t!ilight- It i,
a *ompo,it pi*t'r o+ all tim ,in* h !a, a *hild- H drop, th ,a! and li+t,
th $oard +or hr to ,, !at*hing th !indo! in !hi*h th +a* ha, not mo/d-
H drag, a ,*ond plan( into po,ition and ,lant, th t!o o+ thm into thir
+inal 2'6tapo,ition, g,t'ring to!ard th on, yt on th gro'nd, ,haping !ith
hi, mpty hand in pantomim th +ini,hd $o6- &or a !hil ,till ,h loo(, do!n
at him +rom th *ompo,it pi*t'r, nithr !ith *n,'r nor appro$ation- Thn
th +a* di,appar,-
Sh li, $a*( and t'rn, hr had !itho't ,o m'*h a, glan*ing at pa- Sh
loo(, at ?ardaman@ hr y,, th li+ in thm, r',hing ,'ddnly 'pon thm@ th
t!o +lam, glar 'p +or a ,tady in,tant- Thn thy go o't a, tho'gh ,omon had
land do!n and $lo!n 'pon thm-
87a,8 D!y Dll ,ay,@ 8maD8 Laning a$o/ th $d, hr hand, li+td a
littl, th +an ,till mo/ing li( it ha, +or tn day,, ,h $gin, to (n- Hr
/oi* i, ,trong, yo'ng, trm'lo', and *lar, rapt !ith it, o!n tim$r and
/ol'm, th +an ,till mo/ing ,tadily 'p and do!n, !hi,pring th ',l,, air-
Thn ,h +ling, hr,l+ a*ro,, Addl 3'ndrn., (n,, *l't*hing hr, ,ha(ing hr
!ith th +'rio', ,trngth o+ th yo'ng $+or ,pra!ling ,'ddnly a*ro,, th
hand+'l o+ rottn $on, that Addi 3'ndrn l+t, 2arring th !hol $d into a
*hattring ,i$ilan* o+ mattr,, ,h'*(,, hr arm, o't+l'ng and th +an in on
hand ,till $ating !ith 6piring $rath into th 1'ilt-
&rom $hind pa., lg ?ardaman pr,, hi, mo'th +'ll opn and all *olor
draining +rom hi, +a* into hi, mo'th, a, tho'gh h ha, $y ,om man, +l,hd
hi, o!n tth in him,l+, ,'*(ing- H $gin, to mo/ ,lo!ly $a*(!ard +rom th
$d, hi, y, ro'nd, hi, pal +a* +ading into th d',( li( a pi* o+ papr
pa,td on a +ailing !all, and ,o o't o+ th door-
:a lan, a$o/ th $d in th t!ilight, hi, h'mpd ,ilho'tt parta(ing o+
that o!l0li( 1'ality o+ a!ry0+athrd, di,gr'ntld o'trag !ithin !hi*h l'r(,
a !i,dom too pro+o'nd or too inrt +or /n tho'ght-
8D'rn thm $oy,,8 h ,ay,-
Jewel, I say. Overhead the day drives level and gray, hiding the sun by a
flight of gray spears. In the rain the mules smoke a little, splashed yellow
with mud, the off one clinging in sliding lunges to the side of the road above
the ditch. The tilted lumber gleams dull yellow, water-soaked and heavy as
lead, tilted at a steep angle into the ditch above the broken wheel; about the
shattered spokes and about Jewels, ankles a runnel of yellow neither water nor
earth swirls, curving with the yellow road neither of earth nor water, down the
hill dissolving into a streaming mass of dark green neither of earth nor sky.
Jewel, I say
Ca,h *om, to th door, *arrying th ,a!- :a ,tand, $,id th $d,
h'mpd, hi, arm, dangling- H t'rn, hi, had, hi, ,ha$$y pro+il, hi, *hin
*ollap,ing ,lo!ly a, h !or(, th ,n'++ again,t hi, g'm,-
8Sh., gon,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8Sh ta(n and l+t ',,8 pa ,ay,- Ca,h do, not loo( at him- 8Ho! nigh ar
yo' don>8 pa ,ay,- Ca,h do, not an,!r- H ntr,, *arrying th ,a!- 8I r*(on
yo' $ttr gt at it,8 pa ,ay,- 8Yo'.ll ha/ to do th $,t yo' *an, !ith thm
$oy, gon o++ that0a0!ay-8 Ca,h loo(, do!n at hr +a*- H i, not li,tning to
pa at all- H do, not approa*h th $d- H ,top, in th middl o+ th +loor,
th ,a! again,t hi, lg, hi, ,!ating arm, po!drd lightly !ith ,a!d',t, hi,
+a* *ompo,d- 8I+ yo' gt in a tight, may$ ,om o+ thmll gt hr tomorro!
and hlp yo',8 pa ,ay,- 8?rnon *o'ld-8 Ca,h i, not li,tning- H i, loo(ing
do!n at hr pa*+'l, rigid +a* +ading into th d',( a, tho'gh dar(n,, !r a
pr*'r,or o+ th 'ltimat arth, 'ntil at la,t th +a* ,m, to +loat dta*hd
'pon it, lightly a, th r+l*tion o+ a dad la+- 8Thr i, Chri,tian, no'gh
to hlp yo',8 pa ,ay,- Ca,h i, not li,tning- A+tr a !hil h t'rn, !itho't
loo(ing at pa and la/, th room- Thn th ,a! $gin, to ,nor again- 8Thy
!ill hlp ', in o'r ,orro!,8 pa ,ay,-
Th ,o'nd o+ th ,a! i, ,tady, *omptnt, 'nh'rrid, ,tirring th dying
light ,o that at a*h ,tro( hr +a* ,m, to !a( a littl into an 6pr,,ion
o+ li,tning and o+ !aiting, a, tho'gh ,h !r *o'nting th ,tro(,- :a loo(,
do!n at th +a*, at th $la*( ,pra!l o+ D!y Dll., hair, th o't+l'ng arm,,
th *l't*hd +an no! motionl,, on th +ading 1'ilt- 8I r*(on yo' $ttr gt
,'ppr on,8 h ,ay,-
D!y Dll do, not mo/-
8Git 'p, no!, and p't ,'ppr on,8 pa ,ay,- 8% got to (p o'r ,trngth
'p- I r*(on Do*tor :a0$ody., right h'ngry, *oming all thi, !ay- And Ca,h.ll
nd to at 1'i*( and gt $a*( to !or( ,o h *an +ini,h it in tim-8
D!y Dll ri,,, ha/ing to hr +t- Sh loo(, do!n at th +a*- It i,
li( a *a,ting o+ +ading $ron4 'pon th pillo!, th hand, alon ,till !ith any
,m$lan* o+ li+5 a *'rld, gnarld inptn,,@ a ,pnt yt alrt 1'ality +rom
!hi*h !arin,,, 6ha',tion, tra/ail ha, not yt dpartd, a, tho'gh thy
do'$td /n yt th a*t'ality o+ r,t, g'arding !ith hornd and pn'rio',
alrtn,, th *,,ation !hi*h thy (no! *annot la,t-
D!y Dll ,toop, and ,lid, th 1'ilt +rom $nath thm and dra!, it 'p
o/r thm to th *hin, ,moothing it do!n, dra!ing it ,mooth- Thn !itho't
loo(ing at pa ,h go, aro'nd th $d and la/, th room-
!he will go out where "eabody is, where she can stand in the twilight and
look at his back with such an e#pression that, feeling her eyes and turning, he
will say$ I would not let it grieve me, now. !he was old, and sick too.
!uffering more than we knew. !he couldnt have got well. %ardamans getting big
now, and with you to take good care of them all. I would try not to let it
grieve me. I e#pect youd better go and get some supper ready. It dont have to
be much. &ut theyll need to eat, and she looking at him, saying 'ou could do
so much for me if you (ust would. If you (ust knew. I am I and you are you and
I know it and you dont know it and you could do so much for me if you (ust
would and if you (ust would then I could tell you and then nobody would have to
know it e#cept you and me and )arl
:a ,tand, o/r th $d, dangl0armd, h'mpd, motionl,,- H rai,, hi,
hand to hi, had, ,*o'ring hi, hair, li,tning to th ,a!- H *om, narr and
r'$, hi, hand, palm and $a*(, on hi, thigh and lay, it on hr +a* and thn on
th h'mp o+ 1'ilt !hr hr hand, ar- H to'*h, th 1'ilt a, h ,a! D!y Dll
do, trying to ,mooth it 'p to th *hin, $'t di,arranging it in,tad- H tri,
to ,mooth it again, *l'm,ily, hi, hand a!(!ard a, a *la!, ,moothing at th
!rin(l, !hi*h h mad and !hi*h *ontin' to mrg $nath hi, hand !ith
pr/r, '$i1'ity, ,o that at la,t h d,i,t,, hi, hand +alling to hi, ,id and
,tro(ing it,l+ again, palm and $a*(, on hi, thigh- Th ,o'nd o+ th ,a! ,nor,
,tadily into th room- :a $rath, !ith a 1'it, ra,ping ,o'nd, mo'thing th
,n'++ again,t hi, g'm,- 8God., !ill $ don,8 h ,ay,- 8No! I *an gt thm
tth-8
Jewels hat droops limp about his neck, channelling water onto the soaked
towsack tied about his shoulders as, ankle-deep in the running ditch, he pries
with a slipping two-by-four, with a piece of rotting log for fulcrum, at the
a#le. Jewel, I say, she is dead, Jewel. *ddie &undren is dead
?ardaman
Thn I $gin to r'n- I r'n to!ard th $a*( and *om to th dg o+ th por*h and
,top- Thn I $gin to *ry- I *an +l !hr th +i,h !a, in th d',t- It i, *'t
'p into pi*, o+ not0+i,h no!, not0$lood on my hand, and o/rall,- Thn it
!a,n.t ,o- It hadn.t happnd thn- And no! ,h i, gtting ,o +ar ahad I *annot
*at*h hr-
Th tr, loo( li( *hi*(n, !hn thy r'++l o't into th *ool d',t on
th hot day,- I+ I 2'mp o++ th por*h I !ill $ !hr th +i,h !a,, and it all
*'t 'p into not0+i,h no!- I *an har th $d and hr +a* and thm and I *an
+l th +loor ,ha( !hn h !al(, on it that *am and did it- That *am and did
it !hn ,h !a, all right $'t h *am and did it-
8Th +at ,on o+ a $it*h-8
I 2'mp +rom th por*h, r'nning- Th top o+ th $arn *om, ,!ooping 'p o't
o+ th t!ilight- I+ I 2'mp I *an go thro'gh it li( th pin( lady in th *ir*',,
into th !arm ,mlling, !itho't ha/ing to !ait 7y hand, gra$ at th $',h,@
$nath my +t th ro*(, and dirt go r'$$ling do!n-
Thn I *an $rath again, in th !arm ,mlling- I ntr th ,tall, trying
to to'*h him, and thn I *an *ry thn I /omit th *rying- A, ,oon a, h gt,
thro'gh, (i*(ing I *an and thn I *an *ry, th *rying *an-
8H (ilt hr- H (ilt hr-8
Th li+ in him r'n, 'ndr th ,(in, 'ndr my hand, r'nning thro'gh th
,plot*h,, ,mlling 'p into my no, !hr th ,i*(n,, i, $ginning to *ry,
/omiting th *rying, and thn I *an $rath, /omiting it- It ma(, a lot o+
noi,- I *an ,mll th li+ r'nning 'p +rom 'ndr my hand,, 'p my arm,, and thn
I *art la/ th ,tall-
I *annot +ind it- In th dar(, along th d',t, th !all, I *annot +ind it-
Th *rying ma(, a lot o+ noi,- I !i,h it !o'ldn.t ma( ,o m'*h noi,- Thn I
+ind it in th !agon ,hd, in th d',t, and I r'n a*ro,, th lot and into th
road, th ,ti*( 2o'n*ing on my ,ho'ldr-
Thy !at*h m a, I r'n 'p, $ginning to 2r( $a*(, thir y, rolling,
,norting, 2r(ing $a*( on th hit*h0rin- I ,tri(- I *an har th ,ti*(
,tri(ing@ I *an , it hitting thir had,, th $ra,t0yo(, mi,,ing altogthr
,omtim, a, thy rar and pl'ng, $'t I am glad-
8Yo' (ilt my ma!DE
Th ,ti*( $ra(,, thy raring and ,norting, thir +t popping lo'd on
th gro'nd@ lo'd $*a', it i, going to rain and th air i, mpty +or th rain-
3't it i, ,till long no'gh- I r'n thi, !ay and that a, thy rar and 2r( at
th hit*h0rin, ,tri(ing-
8Yo' (ilt hrD8
I ,tri( at thm, ,tri(ing, thy !hling in a long l'ng, th $'ggy
!hling onto t!o !hl, and motionl,, li( it i, naild to th gro'nd and th
hor,, motionl,, li( thy ar naild $y th hind +t to th *ntr o+ a
!hirling plat-
I r'n in th d',t-- I *annot ,, r'nning in th ,'*(ing d',t !hr th
$'ggy /ani,h, tiltd on t!o !hl,- I ,tri(, th ,ti*( hitting into th
gro'nd, $o'n*ing, ,tri(ing into th d',t and thn into th air again and th
d',t ,'*(ing on do!n th road +a,tr than i+ a *ar !a, in it- And thn I *an
*ry, loo(ing at th ,ti*(- It i, $ro(n do!n to my hand, not longr than ,to/
!ood that !a, a long ,ti*(- I thro! it a!ay and I *an *ry- It do, not ma( ,o
m'*h noi, no!-
Th *o! i, ,tanding in th $arn door, *h!ing- %hn ,h ,, m *om into
th lot ,h lo!,, hr mo'th +'ll o+ +lopping grn, hr tong' +lopping-
8I aint a0goin to mil( yo'- I aint a0goin to do nothing +or thm-8
I har hr t'rn !hn I pa,,- %hn I t'rn ,h i, 2',t $hind m !ith hr
,!t, hot, hard $rath-
8Didn.t I tll yo' I !o'ldn.t>8
Sh n'dg, m, ,n'++ing- Sh moan, dp in,id, hr mo'th *lo,d- I 2r(
my hand, *'r,ing hr li( )!l do,-
8Git, no!-8
I ,toop my hand to th gro'nd and r'n at hr- Sh 2'mp, $a*( and !hirl,
a!ay and ,top,, !at*hing m- Sh moan,- Sh go, on- to th path and ,tand,
thr, loo(ing 'p th path-
It i, dar( in th $arn, !arm, ,mlling, ,ilnt- I *an *ry 1'itly,
!at*hing th top o+ th hill-
Ca,h *om, to th hill, limping !hr h +ll o++ o+ th *h'r*h- H loo(,
do!n at th ,pring, thn 'p th road and $a*( to!ard th $arn- H *om, do!n th
path ,ti++ly and loo(, at th $ro(n hit*h0rin and at th d',t in th road and
thn 'p th road, !hr th d',t i, gon-
8I hop thy./ got *lan pa,t T'll., $y no!- I ,o hop hit-8
Ca,h t'rn, and limp, 'p th path-
8D'rn him- I ,ho!d him- D'rn him-8
I am not *rying no!- I am not anything- D!y Dll *om, to th hill and
*all, m- ?ardaman- I am not anything- I am 1'it- Yo', ?ardaman- I *an *ry
1'it no!, +ling and haring my tar,-
8Thn hit !ant- Hit hadn.t happnd thn- Hit !a, a0layin right thr on
th gro'nd- And no! ,h., git0tin rady to *oo( hit-8
It i, dar(- I *an har !ood, ,iln*5 I (no! thm- 3't not li/ing ,o'nd,,
not /n him- It i, a, tho'gh th dar( !r r,ol/ing him o't o+ hi, intgrity,
into an 'nrlatd ,*attring o+ *omponnt,00,n'++ing, and ,tamping,@ ,mll, o+
*ooling +l,h and ammonia* hair@ an ill',ion o+ a *o0ordinatd !hol o+
,plot*hd hid and ,trong $on, !ithin !hi*h, dta*hd and ,*rt and +amiliar,
an is di++rnt +rom my is- I , him di,,ol/00lg,, a rolling y, a ga'dy
,plot*hing li( *old +lam, and +loat 'pon th dar( in +ading ,ol'tion@ all on
yt nithr@ all ithr yt non- I *an , haring *oil to!ard him, *ar,,ing,
,haping hi, hard ,hap00+tlo*(, hip, ,ho'ldr and had@ ,mll and ,o'nd- I am
not a+raid-
8Coo(d and t- Coo(d and t-8
D!y Dll
H *o'ld do ,o m'*h +or m i+ h 2',t !o'ld- H *o'ld do /rything +or m- It.,
li( /rything in th !orld +or m i, in,id a t'$ +'ll o+ g't,, ,o that yo'
!ondr ho! thr *an $ any room in it +or anything l, /ry important- H i, a
$ig t'$ o+ g't, and I am a littl t'$ o+ g't, and i+ thr i, not any room +or ,
anything l, important in a $ig t'$ o+ g't,, ho! *an it $ room in a littl t'$
o+ g't,- 3't I (no! it i, thr $*a', God ga/ !omn a ,ign !hn ,omthing ha,
happnd $ad-
It., $*a', I am alon- I+ I *o'ld 2',t +l it, it !o'ld $ di++rnt,
$*a', I !o'ld not $ alon- 3't i+ I !r not alon, /ry$ody !o'ld (no! it-
And h *o'ld do ,o m'*h +or m, and thn I !o'ld not $ alon- Thn I *o'ld $
all right alon-
I !o'ld lt him *om in $t!n m and La+, li( Darl *am in $t!n m
and La+, and ,o La+ i, alon too- H i, La+ and I am D!y Dll, and !hn
mothr did I had to go $yond and o't,id o+ m and La+ and Darl to gri/
$*a', h *o'ld do ,o m'*h +or m and h dont (no! it- H dont /n (no! it-
&rom th $a*( por*h I *annot , th $arn- Thn th ,o'nd o+ Ca,h., ,a!ing
*om, in +rom that !ay- It i, li( a dog o't,id th ho',, going $a*( and +orth
aro'nd th ho', to !hat/r door yo' *om to, !aiting to *om in- H ,aid I
!orry mor than yo' do and I ,aid Yo' dont (no! !hat !orry i, ,o I *ant !orry- I
try to $'t I *ant thin( long no'gh to !orry-
I light th (it*hn lamp- Th +i,h, *'t into 2aggd pi*,, $ld, 1'itly
in th pan- I p't it into th *'p$oard 1'i*(, li,tning into th hall, haring-
It too( hr tn day, to di@ may$ ,h dont (no! it i, yt- 7ay$ ,h !ont go
'ntil Ca,h- Or may$ 'ntil )!l- I ta( th di,h o+ grn, +rom th *'p$oard
and th $rad pan +rom th *old ,to/, and I ,top, !at*hing th door-
8%hr., ?ardaman>8 Ca,h ,ay,- In th lamp hi, ,a!d',td arm, loo( li(
,and-
8I dont (no!- I aint ,n him-8
B:a$ody., tam r'n a!ay- S i+ yo' *an +ind ?ardaman- Th hor, !ill lt
him *at*h him-8
8%ll- Tll thm to *om to ,'ppr-8
I *annot , th $arn- I ,aid, I dont (no! ho! to !orry- I dont (no! ho! to *ry-
I trid, $'t I *ant- A+tr a !hil th ,o'nd o+ th ,a! *om, aro'nd, *oming
dar( along th gro'nd in th d',t0dar(- Thn I *an , him, going 'p and do!n
a$o/ th plan(-
8Yo' *om in to ,'ppr,8 I ,ay- 8Tll him-8 H *o'ld do /rything +or m-
And h dont (no! it- H i, hi, g't, and I am my g't,- And I am La+., g't,-
That., it- I dont , !hy h didn.t ,tay in to!n- % ar *o'ntry popl, not a,
good a, to!n popl- I dont , !hy h didn.t- Thn I *an , th top o+ th
$arn- Th *o! ,tand, at th +oot o+ th path, lo!ing- %hn I t'rn $a*(, Ca,h i,
gon-
I *arry th $'ttrmil( in- :a and Ca,h and h ar at th ta$l-
8%hr., that $ig +i,h 3'd *a'ght, ,i,tr>8 h ,ay,-
I ,t th mil( on th ta$l- 8I n/r had no tim to *oo( it-8
8:lain t'rnip grn, i, mighty ,pindling ating +or a man my ,i4,8 h
,ay,- Ca,h i, ating- A$o't hi, had th print o+ hi, hat i, ,!atd into hi,
hair- Hi, ,hirt i, $lot*hd !ith ,!at- H ha, not !a,hd hi, hand, and arm,-
8Yo' o'ght to too( tim,8 pa ,ay,- 8%hr., ?ardaman>8
I go to!ard th door- 8I *ant +ind him-8
8Hr, ,i,tr,8 h ,ay,@ 8n/r mind a$o't th +i,h- It.ll ,a/, I r*(on-
Com on and ,it do!n-8
8I aint minding it,8 I ,ay- 8I.m going to mil( $+or it ,t, in to rain-8
:a hlp, him,l+ and p',h, th di,h on- 3't h do, not $gin to at- Hi,
hand, ar hal+*lo,d on ithr ,id o+ hi, plat, hi, had $o!d a littl, hi,
a!ry hair ,tanding into th lamplight- H loo(, li( right a+tr th ma'l hit,
th ,tr and it no longr ali/ and dont yt (no! that it i, dad-
3't Ca,h i, ating, and h i, too- 8Yo' $ttr at ,omthing,8 h ,ay,- H
i, loo(ing at pa- 8Li( Ca,h and m- Yo'.ll nd it-8
8Ay,8 pa ,ay,- H ro',, 'p, li( a ,tr that., $n (nling in a pond
and yo' r'n at it- 8Sh !o'ld not $gr'dg m it-8
%hn I am o't o+ ,ight o+ th ho',, I go +a,t- Th *o! lo!, at th +oot
o+ th $l'++- Sh n'44l, at m, ,n'++ing, $lo!ing hr $rath in a ,!t, hot
$la,t, thro'gh my dr,,, again,t my hot na(dn,,, moaning- 8Yo' got to !ait a
littl !hil- Thn I.ll tnd to yo'-8 Sh +ollo!, m into th $arn !hr I ,t
th $'*(t do!n- Sh $rath, into th $'*(t, moaning- 8I told yo'- Yo' 2',t
got to !ait, no!- I got mor to do than I *an tnd to-8 Th $arn i, dar(- %hn I
pa,,, h (i*(, th !all a ,ingl $lo!- I go on- Th $ro(n plan( i, li( a pal
plan( ,tanding on nd- Thn I *an , th ,lop, +l th air mo/ing on my +a*
again, ,lo!, pal !ith l,,r dar( and !ith mpty ,ing, th pin *l'mp,
$lot*hd 'p th tiltd ,lop, ,*rt and !aiting-
Th *o! in ,ilho'tt again,t th door n'44l, at th ,ilho'tt o+ th
$'*(t, moaning-
Thn I pa,, th ,tall- I ha/ almo,t pa,,d it, I li,tn to it ,aying +or
a long tim $+or it *an ,ay th !ord and th li,tning part i, a+raid that
thr may not $ tim to ,ay it I +l my $ody, my $on, and +l,h $ginning to
part and opn 'pon th alon, and th pro*,, o+ *oming 'nalon i, trri$l-
La+- La+- 8La+8 La+- La+- I lan a littl +or!ard, on +oot ad/an*d !ith
dad !al(ing- I +l th dar(n,, r',hing pa,t my $ra,t, pa,t th *o!@ I $gin
to r',h 'pon th dar(n,, $'t th *o! ,top, m and th dar(n,, r',h, on 'pon
th ,!t $la,t o+ hr moaning $rath, +illd !ith !ood and !ith ,iln*-
8?ardaman- Yo', ?ardaman-8
H *om, o't o+ th ,tall- 8Yo' d'rn littl ,na(D Yo' d'rn littl ,na(D8
H do, not r,i,t@ th la,t o+ r',hing dar(n,, +l, !hi,tling a!ay-
8%hat> I aint don nothing-8
8Yo' d'rn littl ,na(D8 7y hand, ,ha( him, hard- 7ay$ I *o'ldn.t ,top
thm- I didn.t (no! thy *o'ld ,ha( ,o hard- Thy ,ha( $oth o+ ',, ,ha(ing-
8I n/r don it,8 h ,ay,- 8I n/r to'*hd thm-8
7y hand, ,top ,ha(ing him, $'t I ,till hold him- 8%hat ar yo' doing hr>
%hy didn.t yo' an,!r !hn I *alld yo'>8
8I aint doing nothing-8
BYo' go on to th ho', and gt yo'r ,'ppr-8
H dra!, $a*(- I hold him- 8Yo' 1'it no!- Yo' la/ m $-8
8%hat !r yo' doing do!n hr> Yo' didn.t *om do!n hr to ,na( a+tr
m>8
8I n/r- I n/r- Yo' 1'it, no!- I didn.t /n (no! yo' !a, do!n hr-
Yo' la/ m $-8
I hold him, laning do!n to , hi, +a*, +l it !ith my y,- H i,
a$o't to *ry- 8Go on, no!- I don p't ,'ppr on and I.ll $ thr ,oon a, I
mil(- Yo' $ttr go on $+or h at, /rything 'p- I hop that tam r'n, *lan
$a*( to )++r,on-8
8H (ilt hr,8 h ,ay,- H $gin, to *ry-
8H',h-8
8Sh n/r h'rt him and h *om and (ilt hr-8
8H',h-8 H ,tr'ggl,- I hold him- 8H',h-8
8H (ilt hr-8 Th *o! *om, 'p $hind ',, moaning- I ,ha( him again-
8Yo' ,top it, no!- ;ight thi, min't- Yo'.r +i6ing to ma( yo'r,l+ ,i*(
and thn yo' *ant go to to!n- Yo' go on to th ho', and at yo'r ,'ppr-8
8I dont !ant no ,'ppr- I dont !ant to go to to!n-8
8%All la/ yo' hr, thn- L,,n yo' $ha/, ! !ill la/ yo'- Go on,
no!, $+or that old grn0ating t'$ o+ g't, at, /rything 'p +rom yo'-8 H
go, on, di,apparing ,lo!ly into th hill- Th *r,t, th tr,, th roo+ o+
th ho', ,tand again,t th ,(y- Th *o! n'44l, at m, moaning- 8Yo'll 2',t
ha/ to !ait- %hat yo' got in yo' aint nothing to !hat I got in m, /n i+ yo'
ar a !oman too-8 Sh +ollo!, m, moaning- Thn th dad, hot, pal air $rath,
on my +a* again- H *o'ld +i6 it all right, i+ h 2',t !o'ld- And h dont /n
(no! it- H *o'ld do /rything +or m i+ h 2',t (no!d it- Th *o! $rath,
'pon my hip, and $a*(, hr $rath !arm, ,!t, ,trtoro',, moaning- Th ,(y li,
+lat do!n th ,lop, 'pon th ,*rt d'mp,- 3yond th hill ,ht0lightning
,tain, 'p!ard and +ad,- Th dad air ,hap, th dad arth in th dad
dar(n,,, +'rthr a!ay than ,ing ,hap, th dad arth- It li, dad and !arm
'pon m, to'*hing m na(d thro'gh my *loth,- I ,aid Yo' dont (no! !hat !orry
i,- I dont (no! !hat it i,- I dont (no! !hthr I am !orrying or not- %hthr I
*an or not- I dont (no! !hthr I *an *ry or not- I dont (no! !hthr I ha/
trid to or not- I +l li( a !t ,d !ild in th hot $lind arth-
?ardaman
%hn thy gt it +ini,hd thy ar going to p't hr in it and thn +or a long
tim I *o'ldn.t ,ay it- I ,a! th dar( ,tand 'p and go !hirling a!ay and I ,aid
8Ar yo' going to nail hr 'p in it, Ca,h> Ca,h> Ca,h>E I got ,h't 'p in th
*ri$ th n! door it !a, too ha/y +or m it !nt ,h't I *o'ldn.t $rath
$*a', th rat !a, $rathing 'p all th air- I ,aid 8Ar yo' going to nail it
,h't, Ca,h> Nail it> +ail it>8
:a !al(, aro'nd- Hi, ,hado! !al(, aro'nd, o/r Ca,h going 'p and do!n
a$o/ th ,a!, at th $lding plan(-
D!y Dll ,aid ! !ill gt ,om $anana,- Th train i, $hind th gla,,,
rd on th tra*(- %hn it r'n, th tra*( ,hin, on and o++- :a ,aid +lo'r and
,'gar and *o++ *o,t, ,o m'*h- 3*a', I am a *o'ntry $oy $*a', $oy, in to!n-
3i*y*l,- %hy do +lo'r and ,'gar and *o++ *o,t ,o m'*h !hn h i, a *o'ntry
$oy- 8%o'ldn.t yo' r'thr ha/ ,om $anana, in,tad>8 3anana, ar gon, atn-
Gon- %hn it r'n, on th tra*( ,hin, again- 8%hy aint I a to!n $oy, pa>8 I
,aid- God mad m- I did not ,aid to God to mad m in th *o'ntry- I+ H *an
ma( th train, !hy *ant H ma( thm all in th to!n $*a', +lo'r and ,'gar
and *o++- 8%o'ldn.t yo' r'thr ha/ $anana,>8
H !al(, aro'nd- Hi, ,hado! !al(, aro'nd-
It !a, not hr- I !a, thr, loo(ing- I ,a!- I tho'ght it !a, hr, $'t it
!a, not- It !a, not my mothr- Sh !nt a!ay !hn th othr on laid do!n in hr
$d and dr! th 1'ilt 'p- Sh !nt a!ay- 8Did ,h go a, +ar a, to!n>E 8Sh !nt
+'rthr than to!n-8 8Did all tho, ra$$it, and po,,'m, go +'rthr than to!n>8
God mad th ra$$it, and po,,'m,- H mad th train- %hy m',t H ma( a
di++rnt pla* +or thm to go i+ ,h i, 2',t li( th ra$$it-
:a !al(, aro'nd- Hi, ,hado! do,- Th ,a! ,o'nd, li( it i, a,lp-
And ,o i+ Ca,h nail, th $o6 'p, ,h i, not a ra$$it- And ,o i+ ,h i, not
a ra$$it I *o'ldn.t $rath in th *ri$ and Ca,h i, going to nail it 'p- And ,o
i+ ,h lt, him it i, not hr- I (no!- I !a, thr- I ,a! !hn it did not $
hr- I ,a!- Thy thin( it i, and Ca,h i, going to nail it 'p-
It !a, not hr $*a', it !a, laying right yondr in th dirt- And no!
it., all *hoppd 'p- I *hoppd it 'p- It., laying in th (it*hn in th $lding
pan, !aiting to $ *oo(d and t- Thn it !a,n.t and ,h !a,, and no! it i, and
,h !a,n.t- And tomorro! it !ill $ *oo(d and t and ,h !ill $ him and pa and
Ca,h and D!y Dll and thr !ont $ anything in th $o6 and ,o ,h *an
$rath- It !a, laying right yondr on th gro'nd- I *an gt ?rnon- H !a,
thr and h ,n it, and !ith $oth o+ ', it !ill $ and thn it !ill not $-
T'll
It !a, nigh to midnight and it had ,t into rain !hn h !o( ',- It had $n a
mi,do'$t+'l night, !ith th ,torm ma(ing@ a night !hn a +llo! loo(, +or mo,t
anything to happn $+or h *an gt th ,to*( +d and him,l+ to th ho', and
,'ppr t and in $d !ith th rain ,tarting, and !hn :a$ody., tam *om 'p,
lathrd, !ith th $ro( harn,, dragging and th n*(0yo( $t!i6t th o++
*rittr., lg,, Cora ,ay, 8It., Addi 3'ndrn- Sh., gon at la,t-8
8:a$ody mo'ght ha/ $n to r a on o+ a do4n ho',, hra$o't,,8 I
,ay,- 83,id,, ho! do yo' (no! it., :a$ody., tam>8
8%ll, aint it>8 ,h ,ay,- 8Yo' hit*h 'p, no!-8
8%hat +or>8 I ,ay,- 8I+ ,h i, gon, ! *ant do nothing till morning- And
it +i6ing to ,torm, too-8
8It., my d'ty,8 ,h ,ay,- 8Yo' p't th tam in-8
3't I !o'ldn.t do it- 8It ,tand, to ra,on thy.d ,nd +or ', i+ thy
ndd ',- Yo' dont /n (no! ,h., gon yt-8
8%hy, dont yo' (no! that., :a$ody., tam> Do yo' *laim it aint> %ll,
thn-8 3't I !o'ldn.t go- %hn +ol(, !ant, a +llo!, it., $,t to !ait till thy
,nd, +or him, I./ +o'nd- 8It., my Chri,tian d'ty,8 Cora ,ay,- 8%ill yo' ,tand
$t!n m and my Chri,tian d'ty>8
8Yo' *an ,tay thr all day tomorro!, i+ yo' !ant,E I ,ay,-
So !hn Cora !a(d m it had ,t in to rain- =/n !hil I !a, going to th
door !ith th lamp and it ,hining on th gla,, ,o h *o'ld , I am *oming, it
(pt on (no*(ing- Not lo'd, $'t ,tady, li( h might ha/ gon to ,lp
th'mping, $'t I n/r noti*d ho! lo! do!n on th door th (no*(ing !a, till I
opnd it and n/r ,n nothing- I hld th lamp 'p, !ith th rain ,par(ling
a*ro,, it and Cora $a*( in th hall ,aying 8%ho i, it, ?rnon>8 $'t I *o'ldn.t
, no$ody a0tall at +ir,t 'ntil I loo(d do!n and aro'nd th door, lo!ring th
lamp-
H loo(d li( a dro!ndd p'ppy, in thm o/rall,, !itho't no hat,
,pla,hd 'p to hi, (n, !hr h had !al(d thm +o'r mil, in th m'd- 8%ll,
IAll $ d'rnd,8 I ,ay,-
8%ho i, it, ?rnon>8 Cora ,ay,-
H loo(d at m, hi, y, ro'nd and $la*( in th middl li( !hn yo'
thro! a light in a o!l., +a*- 8Yo' mind that r +i,h,8 h ,ay,-
8Com in th ho',,8 I ,ay,- 8%hat i, it> I, yo'r ma!008
8?rnon,8 Cora ,ay,-
H ,tood (ind o+ aro'nd $hind th door, in th dar(- Th rain !a, $lo!ing
onto th lamp, hi,,ing on it ,o I am ,*ard /ry min't it.ll $ra(- 8Yo' !a,
thr,8 h ,ay,- 8Yo' ,n it-8
Thn Cora *om to th door- 8Yo' *om right in o'tn th rain,8 ,h ,ay,,
p'lling him in and him !at*hing m- H loo(d 2',t li( a dro!ndd p'ppy- 8I
told yo',8 Cora ,ay,- 8I told yo' it !a, a0happning- Yo' go and hit*h-8
83't h aint ,aid008 I ,ay,-
H loo(d at m, dripping onto th +loor- 8H., a0r'ining th r'g,8 Cora
,ay,- 8Yo' go gt th tam !hil I ta( him to th (it*hn-8
3't h h'ng $a*(, dripping, !at*hing m !ith thm y,- 8Yo' !a, thr-
Yo' ,n it laying thr- Ca,h i, +i6ing to nail hr 'p@ and it !a, a0laying
right thr on th gro'nd- Yo' ,n it- Yo' ,n th mar( in th dirt- Th rain
n/r *om 'p till a+tr I !a, a0*oming hr- So ! *an gt $a*( in tim-8
I $ d'rn i+ it didn.t gi/ m th *rp,, /n !hn I didn.t (no! yt-
3't Cora did- 8Yo' gt that tam 1'i*( a, yo' *an,8 ,h ,ay,- 8H., o'tn hi,
had !ith gri+ and !orry-8
I $ d'rn i+ it didn.t gi/ m th *rp,- No! and thn a +llo! gt, to
thin(ing- A$o't all th ,orro! and a++li*tion, in thi, !orld@ ho! it., lia$l to
,tri( any!hr, li( lightning- I r*(on it do, ta( a po!r+'l tr',t in th
Lord to g'ard a +llo!, tho'gh ,omtim, I thin( that Cora., a mit o/r0
*a'tio',, li( ,h !a, trying to *ro!d th othr +ol(, a!ay and gt in *lo,r
than any$ody l,- 3't thn, !hn ,omthing li( thi, happn,, I r*(on ,h i,
right and yo' got to (p a+tr it and I r*(on I am $l,,d in ha/ing a !i+
that /r ,tri/, +or ,an*ti+y and !ll0doing li( ,h ,ay, I am-
No! and thn a +llo! gt, to thin(ing a$o't it- Not o+tn, tho'gh- %hi*h
i, a good thing- &or th Lord aimd +or him to do and not to ,pnd too m'*h tim
thin(ing, $*a', hi, $rain it., li( a pi* o+ ma*hinry5 it !ont ,tand a
!hol lot o+ ra*(ing- It., $,t !hn it all r'n, along th ,am, doing th day.,
!or( and not no on part ',d no mor than nd+'l- I ha/ ,aid and I ,ay again,
that., /r li/ing thing th mattr !ith Darl5 h 2',t thin(, $y him,l+ too
m'*h- Cora., right !hn ,h ,ay, all h nd, i, a !i+ to ,traightn him o't-
And !hn I thin( a$o't that, I thin( that i+ nothing $'t $ing marrid !ill hlp
a man, h., d'rn nigh hopl,,- 3't I r*(on Cora., right !hn ,h ,ay, th
ra,on th Lord had to *rat !omn i, $*a', man dont (no! hi, o!n good !hn
h ,, it-
%hn I *om $a*( to th ho', !ith th tam, thy !a, in th (it*hn- Sh
!a, dr,,d on top o+ hr nightgo!nd, !ith a ,ha!l o/r hr had and hr
'm$rlla and hr $i$l !rappd 'p in th oil*loth, and him ,itting on a 'p0
t'rnd $'*(t on th ,to/04in* !hr ,h had p't him, dripping onto th +loor-
I *ant gt nothing o'tn him 6*pt a$o't a +i,h,8 ,h ,ay,- It., a 2'dgmnt on
thm- I , th hand o+ th Lord 'pon thi, $oy +or An, 3'ndrn, 2'dgmnt and
!arning-8
8Th rain n/r *om 'p till a+tr I l+t,8 h ,ay,- 8I had don l+t- I
!a, on th !ay- And ,o it !a, thr in th d',t- Yo' ,n it- Ca,h i, +i6ing to
nail hr, $'t yo' ,n it-8
%hn ! got thr it !a, raining hard, and him ,itting on th ,at $t!n
',, !rappd 'p in Cora., ,ha!l- H hadn.t ,aid nothing l,, 2',t ,itting thr
!ith Cora holding th 'm$rlla o/r him- No! and thn Cora !o'ld ,top ,inging
long no'gh to ,ay 8It., a 2'dgmnt on An, 3'ndrn- 7ay it ,ho! him th path o+
,in h i, a0trodding-8 Thn ,h !o'ld ,ing again, and him ,itting thr $t!n
',, laning +or!ard a littl li( th m'l, *o'ldn.t go +a,t no'gh to ,'it him-
8It !a, laying right yondr,8 h ,ay,, 8$'t th rain *om 'p a+tr I ta(n
and l+t- So I *an go and opn th !indo!,, $*a', Ca,h aint naild hr yt-8
It !a, long a0pa,t midnight !hn ! dro/ th la,t nail, and almo,t d',t0
da!n !hn I got $a*( hom and ta(n th tam o't and got $a*( in $d, !ith
Cora., night*ap laying on th othr pillo!- And $ d'rnd i+ /n thn it !a,n.t
li( I *o'ld ,till har Cora ,inging and +l that $oy laning +or!ard $t!n
', li( h !a, ahad o+ th m'l,, and ,till , Ca,h going 'p and do!n !ith
that ,a!, and An, ,tanding thr li( a ,*ar*ro!, li( h !a, a ,tr ,tanding
(n0dp in a pond and ,om$ody *om $y and ,t th pond 'p on dg and h aint
mi,,d it yt-
It !a, nigh to!ard day$ra( !hn ! dro/ th la,t nail and totd it into
th ho',, !hr ,h !a, laying on th $d !ith th !indo! opn and th rain
$lo!ing on hr again- T!i* h did it, and him ,o dad +or ,lp that Cora ,ay,
hi, +a* loo(d li( on o+ th, hr Chri,tma, ma,t, that had don $n $'rid
a !hil and thn d'g 'p, 'ntil at la,t thy p't hr into it and naild it do!n
,o h *o'ldn.t opn th !indo! on hr no mor- And th n6t morning thy +o'nd
him in hi, ,hirt tail, laying a,lp on th +loor li( a +lld ,tr, and th
top o+ th $o6 $ord *lan +'ll o+ hol, and Ca,h., n! a'gr $ro( o++ in th
la,t on- %hn thy ta(n th lid o++ thy +o'nd that t!o o+ thm had $ord on
into hr +a*-
I+ it., a 2'dgmnt, it aint right- 3*a', th Lord., got mor to do than
that- H., $o'nd to ha/- 3*a', th only $'rdn An, 3'ndrn., /r had i,
him,l+- And !hn +ol(, tal(, him lo!, I thin( to my,l+ h aint that l,, o+ a
man or h *o'ldn.t a $or him,l+ thi, long-
It aint right- I $ d'rn i+ it i,- 3*a', H ,aid S'++r littl *hildrn
to *om 'nto 7 dont ma( it right, nithr- Cora ,aid, I ha/ $or yo' !hat th
Lord God ,nt m- I +a*d it !itho't +ar nor trror $*a', my +aith !a, ,trong
in th Lord, a0$ol,tring and ,',taining m- I+ yo' ha/ no ,on, it., $*a',
th Lord ha, d*rd othr!i, in Hi, !i,dom- And my li+ i, and ha, /r $n a
opn $oo( to r a man or !oman among Hi, *rat'r, $*a', I tr',t in my God
and my r!ard-8
I r*(on ,h., right- I r*(on i+ thr., r a man or !oman any!hr that
H *o'ld t'rn it all o/r to and go a!ay !ith Hi, mind at r,t, it !o'ld $
Cora- And I r*(on ,h !o'ld ma( a +! *hang,, no mattr ho! H !a, r'nning it
And I r*(on thy !o'ld $ +or man., good- La,t!ay,, ! !o'ld ha/ to li(
thm- La,t!ay,, ! might a, !ll go on and ma( li( ! did-
Darl
Th lantrn ,it, on a ,t'mp- ;',td, gra,0+o'ld, it, *ra*(d *himny ,mard
on on ,id !ith a ,oaring ,m'dg o+ ,oot, it ,hd, a +$l and ,'ltry glar
'pon th tr,tl, and th $oard, and th ad2a*nt arth- <pon th dar( gro'nd
th *hip, loo( li( random ,mar, o+ ,o+t pal paint on a $la*( *an/a,- Th
$oard, loo( li( long ,mooth tattr, torn +rom th +lat dar(n,, and t'rnd
$a*(,id o't-
Ca,h la$or, a$o't th tr,tl,, mo/ing $a*( and +orth, li+ting and pla*ing
th plan(, !ith long *lattring r/r$ration, in th dad air a, tho'gh h !r
li+ting and dropping thm at th $ottom o+ an in/i,i$l !ll, th ,o'nd, *a,ing
!itho't dparting, a, i+ any mo/mnt might di,lodg thm +rom th immdiat air
in r/r$rant rptition- H ,a!, again, hi, l$o! +la,hing ,lo!ly, a thin
thrad o+ +ir r'nning along th dg o+ th ,a!, lo,t and r*o/rd at th top
and $ottom o+ a*h ,tro( in 'n$ro(n longation, ,o that th ,a! appar, to $
,i6 +t long, into and o't o+ pa., ,ha$$y and aiml,, ,ilho'tt- 8Gi/ m that
plan(,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8No@ th othr on-8 H p't, th ,a! do!n and *om, and pi*(,
'p th plan( h !ant,, ,!ping pa a!ay !ith th long ,!inging glam o+ th
$alan*d $oard-
Th air ,mll, li( ,'lph'r- <pon th impalpa$l plan o+ it thir ,hado!,
+orm a, 'pon a !all, a, tho'gh li( ,o'nd thy had not gon /ry +ar a!ay in
+alling $'t had mrly *ongald +or a momnt, immdiat and m',ing- Ca,h !or(,
on, hal+ t'rnd into th +$l light, on thigh and on pol0thin arm $ra*d,
hi, +a* ,lopd into th light !ith a rapt, dynami* immo$ility a$o/ hi,
tirl,, l$o!- 3lo! th ,(y ,ht0lightning ,l'm$r, lightly@ again,t it th
tr,, motionl,,, ar r'++ld o't to th la,t t!ig, ,!olln, in*ra,d a,
tho'gh 1'i*( !ith yo'ng-
It $gin, to rain- Th +ir,t har,h, ,par,, ,!i+t drop, r',h thro'gh th
la/, and a*ro,, th gro'nd in a long ,igh, a, tho'gh o+ rli+ +rom
intolra$l ,',pn,- Thy ar $ig a, $'*(,hot, !arm a, tho'gh +ird +rom a g'n@
thy ,!p a*ro,, th lantrn in a /i*io', hi,,ing- :a li+t, hi, +a*, ,la*(0
mo'thd, th !t $la*( rim o+ ,n'++ pla,trd *lo, along th $a, o+ hi, g'm,@
+rom $hind hi, ,la*(0+a*d a,toni,hmnt h .m',, a, tho'gh +rom $yond tim,
'pon th 'ltimat o'trag- Ca,h loo(, on* at th ,(y, thn at th lantrn- Th
,a! ha, not +altrd, th r'nning glam o+ it, pi,toning dg 'n$ro(n- 8Gt
,omthing to *o/r th lantrn,8 h ,ay,-
:a go, to th ho',- Th rain r',h, ,'ddnly do!n, !itho't th'ndr,
!itho't !arning o+ any ,ort@ h i, ,!pt onto th por*h 'pon th dg o+ it and
in an in,tant Ca,h i, !t to th ,(in- Yt th motion o+ th ,a! ha, not
+altrd, a, tho'gh it and th arm +'n*tiond in a tran1'il *on/i*tion that rain
!a, an ill',ion o+ th mind- Thn h p't, do!n th ,a! and go, and *ro'*h,
a$o/ th lantrn, ,hilding it !ith hi, $ody, hi, $a*( ,hapd lan and ,*ra!ny
$y hi, !t ,hirt a, tho'gh h had $n a$r'ptly t'rnd !rong, ,id o't, ,hirt
and all-
:a rt'rn,- H i, !aring )!l., rain*oat and *arrying D!y Dll.,-
S1'atting o/r th lantrn, Ca,h ra*h, $a*( and pi*(, 'p +o'r ,ti*(, and
dri/, thm into th arth and ta(, D!y Dll., rain*oat +rom pa and ,prad,
it o/r th ,ti*(,, +orming a roo+ a$o/ th lantrn- :a !at*h, him- 8I dont
(no! !hat yo'.ll do,8 h ,ay,- 8Darl ta(n hi, *oat !ith him-8
8Gt !t8, Ca,h ,ay,- H ta(, 'p th ,a! again@ again it mo/, 'p and
do!n, in and o't o+ that 'nh'rrid impr/io',n,, a, a pi,ton mo/, in th oil@
,oa(d, ,*ra!ny, tirl,,, !ith th lan light $ody oC a $oy or an old man- :a
!at*h, him, $lin(ing, hi,- +a* ,traming@ again h loo(, 'p at th ,(y !ith
that 6pr,,ion o+ d'm$ and $rooding o'trag and yt o+ /indi*ation, a, tho'gh
h had 6p*td no l,,@ no! and thn h ,tir,, mo/,, ga'nt and ,traming,
pi*(ing 'p a $oard or a tool and thn laying it do!n- ?rnon T'll i, thr no!,
and Ca,h i, !aring 7r, T'll., rain*oat and h and ?rnon ar h'nting th ,a!-
A+tr a !hil thy +ind it in pa., hand-
8%hy dont yo' go on to th ho',, o't o+ th rain>8 Ca,h ,ay,- :a loo(, at
him, hi, +a* ,traming ,lo!ly- It i, a, tho'gh 'pon a +a* *ar/d $y a ,a/ag
*ari*at'ri,t a mon,tro', 8$'rl,1' o+ all $ra/mnt +lo!d- 8Yo' go on in,8
Ca,h ,ay,- 87 and ?rnon *an +ini,h it-8
:a loo(, at itm- Th ,l/, o+ )!l., *oat ar too ,hort +or him- <pon
hi, +a* th rain ,tram,, ,lo! a, *old gly*rin- 8I dont $gr'dg hr th
!tting,8 h ,ay,- H mo/, again and +all, to ,hi+ting th plan(,, pi*(ing thm
'p, laying thm do!n again *ar+'lly, a, tho'gh thy ar gla,,- H go, to th
lantrn and p'll, at th proppd rain*oat 'ntil h (no*(, it do!n and Ca,h
*oni, and +i6, it $a*(-
8Yo' gt on to th ho',,8 Ca,h ,ay,- H lad, pa to th ho', and rt'rn,
!ith th rain*oat and +old, it and pla*, it $nath th ,hltr !hr th
lantrn ,it,- ?rnon ha, not ,toppd- H loo(, 'p, ,till ,a!ing-
8Yo' o'ght to don that at +ir,t,8 h ,ay,- 8Yo' (no!d it !a, +i6ing to
rain-8
8It., hi, +/r,8 Ca,h ,ay,- H loo(, at th $oard-
8Ay,8 ?rnon ,ay,- 8H.d a *om, any!ay-8
Ca,h ,1'int, at th $oard- On th long +lan( o+ it th rain *ra,h,
,tadily, myriad, +l'*t'ant- 8I.m going to $/l it,8 h ,ay,-
BIt.ll ta( mor tim,8 ?rnon ,ay,- Ca,h ,t, th plan( on dg@ a momnt
longr ?rnon !at*h, him, thn h hand, him th plan-
?rnon hold, th $oard ,tady !hil Ca,h, $/l, th dg o+ it !ith th
tdio', and min't *ar o+ a 2!lr- 7r, T'll *om, to th dg o+ th por*h
and *all, ?rnon- 8Ho! nar ar yo' don>8 ,h ,ay,-
?rnon do, not loo( 'p- 8Not long- Som, yt-8
Sh !at*h, Ca,h ,tooping at th plan(, th t'rgid ,a/ag glam o+ th
lantrn ,li*(ing on th rain*oat AS h mo/,- 8Yo' go do!n and gt ,om plan(,
o++ th $arn and +ini,h it and *om in o't o+ th rain,8 ,h ,ay,- 8Yo'.ll $oth
*at*h yo'r dath-8 ?rnon do, not mo/- 8?rnon,8 ,h ,ay,-
8% !ont $ long,8 h ,ay,- 8%All $ don a+tr a ,pll-8 7r, T'll
!at*h, thm a !hil- Thn ,h rntr, th ho',-
8I+ ! gt in a tight, ! *o'ld ta( ,om o+ thm plan(,,8 ?rnon ,ay,-
8I.ll hlp yo' p't thm $a*(-8
Ca,h *a,, th plan and ,1'int, along th plan(, !iping it !ith hi,
palm- 8Gi/ m th n6t on,8 h ,ay,-
Som tim to!ard da!n th rain *a,,- 3't it i, not yt day !hn Ca,h
dri/, th la,t nail and ,tand, ,ti++ly 'p and loo(, do!n at th +ini,hd
*o++in, th othr, !at*hing him- In th lantrn light hi, +a* i, *alm, m',ing@
,lo!ly h ,tro(, hi, hand, on hi, rain0*oatd thigh, in a g,t'r dli$rat,
+inal and *ompo,d- Thn th +o'r o+ thm00Ca,h and pa and ?rnon and :a$ody00
rai, th *o++in to thir ,ho'ldr, and t'rn to!ard th ho',- It i, light, yt
thy mo/ ,lo!ly@ mpty, yt thy *arry it *ar+'lly@ li+l,,, yt thy mo/
!ith h',hd pr*a'tionary !ord, to on anothr, ,pa(ing o+ it a, tho'gh,
*omplt, it no! ,l'm$rd lightly ali/, !aiting to *om a!a(- On th dar(
+loor thir +t *l'mp a!(!ardly, a, tho'gh +or a long tim thy ha/ not !al(d
on +loor,-
Thy ,t it do!n $y th $d- :a$ody ,ay, 1'itly5 BLt., at a ,na*(-
It., almo,t daylight- %hr., Ca,h>8
H ha, rt'rnd to th tr,tl,, ,toopd again in th lantrn., +$l
glar a, h gathr, 'p hi, tool, and !ip, thm on a *loth *ar+'lly and p't,
thm into th $o6 !ith it, lathr ,ling to go o/r th ,ho'ldr- Thn h ta(,
'p $o6, lantrn and rain*oat and rt'rn, to th ho',, mo'nting th ,tp, into
+aint ,ilho'tt again,t th paling a,t-
In a ,trang room yo' m',t mpty yo'r,l+ +or ,lp- And $+or yo' ar
mptid +or ,lp, !hat ar yo'- And !hn yo' ar mptid +or ,lp, yo' ar
not- And !hn yo' ar +illd !ith ,lp, yo' n/r !r- I dont (no! !hat I am-
I dont (no! i+ I am or not- )!l (no!, h i,, $*a', h do, not (no! that h
do, not (no! !hthr h i, or not- H *annot mpty him,l+ +or ,lp $*a', h
i, not !hat h i, and h i, !hat h i, not- 3yond th 'nlampd !all I *an har
th rain ,haping th !agon that i, o'r,, th load that i, no longr thir, that
+lld and ,a!d it nor yt thir, that $o'ght it and !hi*h i, not o'r, ithr,
li on o'r !agon tho'gh it do,, ,in* only th !ind and th rain ,hap it only
to )!l and m, that ar not a,lp- And ,in* ,lp i, i,0not and rain and
!ind ar was, it i, not- Yt th !agon is, $*a', !hn th !agon i, was, Addi
3'ndrn !ill not $- And )!l is, ,o Addi 3'ndrn m',t $- And thn I m',t $,
or I *o'ld not mpty my,l+ +or ,lp in a ,trang room- And ,o i+ I am not
mptid yt, I am is-
Ho! o+tn ha/ I lain $nath rain on a ,trang roo+, thin(ing o+ hom-
Ca,h
I mad it on th $/l-
1- Thr i, mor ,'r+a* +or th nail, to grip-
F- Thr i, t!i* th gripping0,'r+a* to a*h ,am-
3- Th !atr !ill ha/ to ,p into it on a ,lant- %atr mo/, a,i,t 'p
and do!n or ,traight a*ro,,-
G- In a ho', popl ar 'pright t!o third, o+ th tim- So th ,am, and
2oint, ar mad 'p0and0do!n- 3*a', th ,tr,, i, 'p0and0do!n-
"- In a $d !hr popl li do!n all th tim, th 2oint, and ,am, ar
mad ,id!ay,, $*a', th ,tr,, i, ,id!ay,-
H- =6*pt-
#- A $ody i, not ,1'ar li( a *ro,,ti-
I- Animal magnti,m-
9- Th animal magnti,m o+ a dad $ody ma(, th ,tr,, *om ,lanting, ,o
th ,am, and 2oint, o+ a *o++in ar mad on th $/l-
10- Yo' *an , $y an old gra/ that th arth ,in(, do!n on th $/l-
11- %hil in a nat'ral hol it ,in(, $y th *ntr, th ,tr,, $ing 'p0
and0do!n-
1F- So I mad it on th $/l-
13- It ma(, a natr 2o$-
?ardaman
7y mothr i, a +i,h-
T'll
It !a, tn o*lo*( !hn I got $a*(, !ith :a$ody., tam hit*hd on to th $a*( o+
th !agon- Thy had alrady draggd th $'*($oard $a*( +rom !hr
J'i*( +o'nd it 'p,id do!n ,traddl o+ th dit*h a$o't a mil +rom th ,pring-
It !a, p'lld o't o+ th road at th ,pring, and a$o't a do4n !agon, !a,
alrady thr- It !a, J'i*( +o'nd it- H ,aid th ri/ !a, 'p and ,till ri,ing-
H ,aid it had alrady *o/rd th high,t !atr0mar( on th $ridg0piling h
/r ,n- 8That $ridg !ont ,tand a !hol lot !atr,8 I ,aid- 8Ha, ,om$ody
told An, a$o't it>8
8I told him,8 J'i*( ,aid- 8H ,ay, h r*(on, th $oy, ha, hard and
'nloadd and ar on th !ay $y no!- H ,ay, thy *an load 'p and gt a*ro,,-8
8H $ttr go on and $'ry hr at N! Hop,8 Arm,tid ,aid- 8That $ridg i,
old- I !o'ldn.t mon(y !ith it-8
8Hi, mind i, ,t on ta(ing hr to )++r,on,8 J'i*( ,aid-
8Thn h $ttr gt at it ,oon a, h *an,8 Arm,tid ,aid-
An, mt, ', at th door- H ha, ,ha/d, $'t not good- Thr i, a long
*'t on hi, 2a!, and h i, !aring hi, S'nday pant, and a !hit ,hirt !ith th
n*($and $'ttond- It i, dra!n ,mooth o/r hi, h'mp, ma(ing it loo( $iggr than
/r, li( a !hit ,hirt !ill, and hi, +a* i, di++rnt too- H loo(, +ol(, in
th y no!, digni+id, hi, +a* tragi* and *ompo,d, ,ha(ing ', $y th hand a,
! !al( 'p onto th por*h and ,*rap o'r ,ho,, a littl ,ti++ in o'r S'nday
*loth,, o'r S'nday *loth, r',tling, not loo(ing +'ll at him a, h mt, ',-
8Th Lord gi/th,8 ! ,ay-
8Th Lord gi/th-8
That $oy i, not thr- :a$ody told a$o't ho! h *om into th (it*hn,
hollring, ,!arming and *la!ing at Cora !hn h +o'nd hr *oo(ing that +i,h, and
ho! D!y Dll ta(n him do!n to th $arn- 87y tam all right>8 :a$ody ,ay,-
8All right,8 I tll him- 8I gi/ thm a $ait thi, morning- Yo'r $'ggy
,m, all right too- It aint h'rt-8
8And no +a'lt o+ ,om$ody.,,8 h ,ay,- 8I.d gi/ a ni*(l to (no! !hr
that $oy !a, !hn that tam $ro( a!ay-8
8I+ it., $ro( any!hr, I.ll +i6 it,8 I ,ay-
Th !omn +ol(, go on into th ho',- % *an har thm, tal(ing and
+anning- Th +an, go !hi,h- !hi,h- !hi,h and thm tal(ing, th tal(ing ,o'nding
(ind o+ li( 8$, m'rm'ring in a !atr $'*(t- Th mn ,top on th por*h,
tal(ing ,om, not loo(ing at on anothr-
8Ho!dy, ?rnon,8 thy ,ay- 8Ho!dy, T'll-8
8Loo(, li( mor rain-8
8It do, +or a +a*t-8
8Y,, ,ir- It !ill rain ,om mor-8
8It *om 'p 1'i*(-8
8And going a!ay ,lo!- It dont +ail-8
I go aro'nd to th $a*(- Ca,h i, +illing 'p th hol, li $ord in th top
o+ it- H i, trimming o't pl'g, +or thm, on at a tim, th !ood !t and hard
to !or(- H *o'ld *'t 'p a tin *an and hid th hol, and no$ody !o'ldn.t (no!
th di++rn*- %o'ldn.t mind, any!ay- I ha/ ,n him ,pnd a ho'r trimming o't
a !dg li( it !a, gla,, h !a, !or(ing, !hn, h *o'ld ha/ ra*hd aro'nd and
pi*(d tip a do4n ,ti*(, and dro/ thm Into th 2oint and mad it do-
%hn ! +ini,hd I go $a*( to th +ront- Th mn ha/ gon a littl pi*
+rom th ho',, ,itting on th nd, o+ th $oard, and on th ,a!hor,, !hr !
mad it la,t night, ,om ,itting and ,om ,1'atting, %hit+ild aint *om yt-
Thy loo( 'p at m, thir y, a,(ing-
8It., a$o't,8 I ,ay- 8H., rady to nail-8
%hil thy ar gtting 'p An, *om, to +il *lod and loo(, at ', and !
rt'rn to th por*h- % ,*rap o'r ,ho, again, *ar+'l, !aiting +or on anothr
to go in +ir,t, milling a littl at th door- An, ,tand, in,id th door,
digni+id, *ompo,d- H !a/, ', in and lad, th !ay into th room-
Thy had laid hr in it r/r,d- Ca,h mad it *lo*(0,hap, li( thi,
,am $/lld and !ith /ry 2oint a ,*r'$$d !ith th plan, tight a, a dr'm
and nat a, a ,!ing $a,(t, and thy had laid hr in it had to +oot ,o it
!o'ldn.t *r',h hr dr,,- It !a, hr !dding dr,, and it had a +lar0o't
$ottom, and thy had laid hr had to +oot in it ,o th dr,, *o'ld ,prad o't,
and thy had mad hr a /il o't o+ a mo,1'ito $ar ,o th a'gr hol, in hr
+a* !o'ldn.t ,ho!-
%hn ! ar going o't, %hit+ild *om,- H i, !t and m'ddy to th !ai,t,
*oming in- 8Th Lord *om+ort thi, ho',,8 h ,ay,- 8I !a, lat $*a', th
$ridg ha, gon- I !nt do!n to th old +ord and ,!'m my hor, o/r, th Lord
prot*ting m- Hi, gra* $ 'pon thi, ho',-8
% go $a*( to th tr,tl, and plan(0nd, and ,it or ,1'at-
8I (no!d it !o'ld go,8 Arm,tid ,ay,-
BIt., $n thr a long tim, that r $ridg,8 J'i*( ,ay,-
8Th Lord ha, (pt it thr, yon man,8 <n*l 3illy ,ay,- 8I dont (no! r
a man that., to'*hd hammr to it in t!nty0+i/ yar,-8
8Ho! long ha, it $n thr, <n*l 3illy>8 J'i*( ,ay,-
8It !a, $'ilt in- - - - - - -lt m ,- - - - - - -It !a, in th yar 1III,8
<n*l 3illy ,ay,- 8I mind it $*a', th +ir,t man to *ro,, it !a, :a$ody
*oming to my ho', !hn )ody !a, $orn-8
8I+ I.d a *ro,,d it /ry tim yo'r !i+ littrd ,in*, it.d a $n !or
o't long $+or thi,, 3illy,8 :a$ody ,ay,-
% la'gh, ,'ddnly lo'd, thn ,'ddnly 1'it again- % loo( a littl a,id
at on anothr-
8Lot, o+ +ol(, ha, *ro,,d it that !ont *ro,, no mor $ridg,,8 Ho',ton
,ay,-
8It., a +a*t,8 Littl2ohn ,ay,- It., ,o-8
8On mor aint, no !ay,,8 Arm,tid ,ay,- 8lt.d ta(n thm t!o0thr day, to
got hr to to!n in th !agon- Thy.d $ gon a !(, gtting hr to )++r,on
and $a*(-8
8%hat., An, ,o it*hing to ta( hr to )++r,on +or, any!ay>8 Ho',ton
,ay,-
8H promi,d hr,8 I ,ay- 8Sh !antd it- Sh *om +rom thr- Hr mind
!a, ,t on it-8
8And An, i, ,t on it, too,8 J'i*( ,ay,-
8Ay,8 <n*l 3illy ,ay,- 8It., li( a man that., lt /rything ,lid all
hi, li+ to gt ,t on ,omthing that !ill ma( th mo,t tro'$l +or /ry$ody
h (no!,-8
8%ll, it.ll ta( th Lord to gt hr o/r that ri/r no!,8 :a$ody ,ay,-
8An, *ant do it-8
8And I r*(on H !ill,8 J'i*( ,ay,- 8H., too( *ar o+ An, a long tim,
no!-8
BIt., a +a*t,8 Littl2ohn ,ay,-
8Too long to 1'it no!,8 Arm,tid ,ay,-
8I r*(on H., li( /ry$ody l, aro'nd hr, <n*l 3illy ,ay,- 8H.,
don it ,o long no! H *ant 1'it-8
Ca,h *om, o't- H ha, p't on a *lan ,hirt@ hi, hair !t, i, *om$d
,mooth do!n on hi, $ro!, ,mooth and $la*( a, i+ h had paintd it onto hi, had,
,1'at, ,ti++ly among ',, ! !at*hing him-
8Yo' +ling thi, !athr, aint yo'>8 Arm,tid ,ay,-
Ca,h ,ay, nothing-
8A $ro( $on al!ay, +l, it,8 Littl2ohn ,ay,- - +llo! !ith a $ro(
$on *an tll it a0*oming-8
8L'*(y Ca,h got o++ !ith 2',t a $ro( lg,8 Arm,tid ,ay,- 8H might ha/
h'rt him,l+ $d0rid- Ho! +ar.d yo' +all, Ca,h>8
BT!nty0ight +oot, +o'r and a hal+ in*h,, a$o't,8 Ca,h ,ay,- I mo/ o/r
$,id him-
8A +llo! *an ,ho ,lip 1'i*( on !t plan(,,8 J'i*( ,ay,-
8It., too $ad,8 I ,ay- 83't yo' *o'ldn.t a holp it-8
8It., thm d'rn !omn,8 h ,ay,- 8I mad it to $alan* !ith hr- I mad it
to hr ma,'r and !ight8
If it takes wet boards for folks to fall, it,s fi#ing to be lots of
falling before this spell is done.
8Yo' *o'ldn.t ha/ holp it8 I ,ay-
I dont mind the folks falling. Its the cotton and corn I mind.
+either does "eabody mind the folks falling. -ow bout it, )oc.
Its a fact. /ashed clean outen the ground it will be. !eems like
something is always happening to it.
0ourse it does. Thats why its worth anything. If nothing didnt happen
and everybody made a big crop, do you reckon it would be worth the raising.
/ell, I be durn if I like to see my work washed outen the ground, work I
sweat over.
It,s a fact. * fellow wouldnt mind seeing it washed up if he could (ust
turn on the rain himself.
/ho is that man can do that. /here is the color of his eyes.
*y. The 1ord made it to grow. Its -isn to wash up if -e sees it fitten
so.
8Yo' *o'ldn.t ha/ holp it,8 I ,ay-
8It., thm d'rn !omn,8 h ,ay,-
In th ho', th !omn $gin to ,ing- % har th +ir,t lin *ommn*,
$ginning to ,!ll a, thy ta( hold, and ! ri, and mo/ to!ard th door,
ta(ing o++ o'r hat, and thro!ing o'r *h!, a!ay- % do not go in- % ,top at th
,tp,, *l'mpd, holding o'r hat, $t!n o'r la6 hand, in +ront or $hind,
,tanding !ith on +oot ad/an*d and o'r had, lo!rd, loo(ing a,id, do!n at
o'r hat, in o'r hand, and at th arth or no! and thn at th ,(y and at on
anothr., gra/, *ompo,d +a*-
Th ,ong nd,@ th /oi*, 1'a/r a!ay !ith a ri*h and dying +all-
%hit+ild $gin,- Hi, /oi* in $iggr than him- It., li( thy ar not th ,am-
It., li( h i, on, and hi, /oi* i, on, ,!imming on t!o hor,, ,id $y ,id
a*ro,, th +ord and *oming into th ho',, th m'd0,pla,hd on and th on that
n/r /n got %t, tri'mphant and ,ad- Som$ody in th ho', $gin, to *ry- It
,o'nd, li( hr y, and hr /oi* !r t'rnd $a*( in,id hr, li,tning@ !
mo/, ,hi+ting to th othr lg, mting on anothr., y and ma(ing li( thy
hadn.t to'*hd-
%hit+ild ,top, at la,t- Th !omn ,ing again- In th thi*( air it., li(
thir /oi*, *om o't o+ th air, +lo!ing togthr and on in th ,ad, *om+orting
t'n,, %hn thy *a, it., li( thy hadn.t gon a!ay- It., li( thy had 2',t
di,appard into th air and !hn ! mo/d ! !o'ld loo, thm again o't o+ th
air aro'nd ',, ,ad and *om+orting- Thn thy +ini,h and ! p't on o'r hat,, o'r
mo/mnt, ,ti++, li( ! hadn.t n/r !or hat, $+or-
On th !ay hom Cora i, ,till ,inging- 8I am $o'nding to!ard my God and my
r!ard,8 ,h ,ing,, ,itting on th !agon, th ,ha!l aro'nd hr ,ho'ldr and th
'm$rlla opn o/r hr, tho'gh it i, not raining-
8Sh ha, hrn,8 I ,ay- 8%hr/r ,h !nt, ,h ha, hr r!ard in $ing
+r o+ An, 3'ndrn-8 !he laid there three days in that bo#, waiting for )arl
and Jewel to come clean back home and get a new wheel and go back to where the
wagon was in the ditch. Take my team, *nse, I said.
/ell wait for ourn, he said. !hell want it so. !he was ever a
particular woman.
On the third day they got back and they loaded her into the wagon and
started and it already too late. 'oull have to go all the way round by
!amsons bridge. Itll take you a day to get there. Then youll be forty miles
from Jefferson. Take my team, *nse.
/ell wait for ourn. !hell want it so.
It !a, a$o't a mil +rom th ho', ! ,a! him, ,itting on th dg o+ th
,lo'gh- It hadn.t had a +i,h in it n/r that I (no!d- H loo(d aro'nd at ',,
hi, y, ro'nd and *alm, hi, +a* dirty, th pol a*ro,, hi, (n,- Cora !a,
,till ,inging-
8Thi, aint no good day to +i,h,8 I ,aid, 8Yo' *om on hom !ith ', and m
and yo'.ll go do!n to th ri/r +ir,t thing in th morning and *at*h ,om +i,h-8
8It., on in hr,. h ,aid- 8D!y Dll ,n it-8
8Yo' *om on !ith ',- Th ri/r., th $,t pla*-8
BIt., in hr,8 h ,aid- 8D!y Dll ,n it-8
BI.m $o'nding to!ard my God and my r!ard,8 Cora ,'ng-
Darl
It., not yo'r hor, that., dad, )!l,8 I ,ay- H ,it, r*t on th ,at,
laning a littl +or!ard, !oodn0$a*(d- Th $rim o+ hi, hat ha, ,oa(d +r o+
th *ro!n in t!o pla*,, drooping a*ro,, hi, !oodn +a* ,o that, had lo!rd,
h loo(, thro'gh it li( thro'gh th /i,or o+ a hlmt, loo(ing long a*ro,, th
/ally to !hr th $arn lan, again,t th $l'++, ,haping th in/i,i$l hor,-
8S thm>8 I ,ay- High a$o/ th ho',, again,t th 1'i*( thi*( ,(y, thy hang
in narro!ing *ir*l,- &rom hr thy ar no mor than ,p*(,, impla*a$l,
patint, portnto',- 83't it., not yo'r hor, that., dad-8
8Goddamn yo',8 h ,ay,- 8Goddamn yo'-8
I *annot lo/ my mothr $*a', I ha/ no mothr- )!l., mothr i, a
hor,-
7otionl,,, th tall $'44ard, hang in ,oaring *ir*l,, th *lo'd, gi/ing
thm an ill',ion o+ rtrograd-
7otionl,,, !oodn0$a*(d, !oodn0+a*d, h ,hap, th hor, in a rigid
,toop li( a ha!(, hoo(0!ingd- Thy ar !aiting +or ',, rady +or th mo/ing o+
it, !aiting +or him- H ntr, th ,tall and !ait, 'ntil it (i*(, at him ,o that
h *an ,lip pa,t and mo'nt onto th tro'gh and pa',, pring o't a*ro,, th
intr/ning ,tall0top, to!ard th mpty path, $+or h ra*h, into th lo+t-
8Goddamn him- Goddamn him-8
Ca,h
It !ont $alan*- I+ yo' !ant it to tot and rid on a $alan*, ! !ill ha/008
8:i*( 'p- Goddamn yo', pi*( 'p-8
8I.m tlling yo' it !ont tot and it !ont rid on a $alan* 'nl,,008
8:i*( 'pD :i*( 'pD, goddamn yo'r thi*(0no,d ,o'l to hll, pi*( 'pDE
It !ont $alan*- I+ thy !ant it to tot and rid on a $alan*, thy !ill
ha/
Darl
H ,toop, among ', a$o/ it, t!o o+ th ight hand,- In hi, +a* th $lood go,
in !a/,- In $t!n thm hi, +l,h i, grni,h loo(ing, a$o't that ,mooth,
thi*(, pal grn o+ *o!., *'d@ hi, +a* ,'++o*atd, +'rio',, hi, lip li+td
'pon hi, tth- 8:i*( 'pD8 h ,ay,- 8:i*( 'p, goddamn yo'r thi*(0no,d ,o'lD8
H ha/,, li+ting on !hol ,id ,o ,'ddnly that ! all ,pring into th
li+t to *at*h and $alan* it $+or h h'rl, it *ompltly o/r- &or an in,tant
it r,i,t,, a, tho'gh /olitional, a, tho'gh !ithin it hr pol0thin $ody *ling,
+'rio',ly, /n tho'gh dad, to a ,ort o+ mod,ty, a, ,h !o'ld ha/ trid to
*on*al a ,oild garmnt that ,h *o'ld not pr/nt hr $ody ,oiling- Thn it
$ra(, +r, ri,ing ,'ddnly a, tho'gh th ma*iation o+ hr 8$ody had addd
$'oyan*y to th plan(, or a, tho'gh, ,ing that th garmnt !a, a$o't to $
torn +rom hr, ,h r',h, ,'ddnly a+tr it in a pa,,ionat r/r,al that +lo't,
it, o!n d,ir and nd- )!l., +a* go, *ompltly grn and I *an har tth
in hi, $rath-
% *arry it do!n th hall, o'r +t har,h and *l'm,y on th +loor, mo/ing
!ith ,h'++ling ,tp,, and thro'gh th door-
8Stady it a min't, no!,8 pa ,ay,, ltting go- H t'rn, $a*( to ,h't and
lo*( th door, $'t )!l !ill not !ait-
8Com on,8 h ,ay, in that ,'++o*ating /oi*- 8Com on-8
% lo!r it *ar+'lly do!n th ,tp,- % mo/, 3alan*ing it a, tho'gh it
!r ,omthing in+initly pr*io',, o'r +a*, a/rtd, $rathing thro'gh o'r
tth to (p o'r no,tril, *lo,d- % go do!n th path, to!ard th ,lop-
8% $ttr !ait,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8I tll yo' it aint $alan*d no!- %All nd
anothr hand on that hill-8
8Thn t'rn loo,,8 )!l ,ay,- H !ill not ,top- Ca,h $gin, to +all
$hind, ho$$ling to (p 'p, $rathing har,hly@ thn h i, di,tan*d and )!l
*arri, th ntir +ront nd alon, ,o that, tilting a, th path $gin, to
,lant, it $gin, to r',h a!ay +rom m and ,lip do!n th air li( a ,ld 'pon
in/i,i$l ,no!, ,moothly /a*'ating atmo,phr in !hi*h th ,n, o+ it i, ,till
,hapd-
8%ait, )!l,8 I ,ay- 3't h !ill not !ait- H i, almo,t r'nning no! and
Ca,h i, l+t $hind- It ,m, to m that th nd !hi*h I no! *arry alon ha, no
!ight, a, tho'gh it *oa,t, li( a r',hing ,tra! 'pon th +'rio', tid o+
)!l., d,pair- I am not /n to'*hing it !hn, t'rning, h lt, it o/r,hoot
him, ,!inging, and ,top, it and ,lo'gh, it into th !agon $d in th ,am motion
and loo(, $a*( at m, hi, +a* ,'++',d !ith +'ry and d,pair-
8Goddamn yo'- Goddamn yo'-8
?ardaman
% ar going to to!n- D!y Dll ,ay, it !ont $ ,old $*a', it $long, to
Santa Cla', and h ta(n it $a*( !ith him 'ntil n6t Chri,tma,- Thn it !ill $
$hind th gla,, again, ,hining !ith !aiting-
:a and Ca,h ar *oming do!n th hill, $'t )!l i, going to th $arn-
8)!l,8 pa ,ay,- )!l do, not ,top- 8%hr yo' going>8 pa ,ay,- 3't )!l
do, not ,top- 8Yo' la/ that hor, hr,8 pa ,ay,- )!l ,top, and loo(, at
pa- )!l., y, loo( li( mar$l,- 8Yo' la/ that hor, hr,8 pa ,ay,- 8%.ll
all go in- th !agon !ith ma, li( ,h !antd-8
3't my mothr i, a +i,h- ?rnon ,n it- H !a, thr-
8)!l., mothr i, a hor,,8 Darl ,aid-
8Thn min *an $ a +i,h, *ant it, Darl>8 I ,aid-
)!l i, my $rothr-
8Thn min !ill ha/ to $ a hor,, too,8 I ,aid-
8%hy>8 Darl ,aid- 8I+ pa i, yo'r pa, !hy do, yo'r ma ha/ to $ a hor,
2',t $*a', )!l., i,>8
8%hy do, it>8 I ,aid- 8%hy do, it, Darl>8
Darl i, my $rothr-
8Thn !hat i, yo'r ma, Darl>8 I ,aid-
8I ha/n.t got r on,8 Darl ,aid- 83*a', i+ I had on, it i, was- And
i+ it i, !a,, it *ant $ is- Can it>8
8No,8 I ,aid-
8Thn I am not,8 Darl ,aid- 8Am I>8
8No,8 I ,aid-
I am- Darl i, my $rothr-
83't yo' are, Darl,8 I ,aid-
8I (no! it,8 Darl ,aid- 8That., !hy I am not is- *re i, too many +or on
!oman to +oal-8
Ca,h i, *arrying hi, tool $o6- :a loo(, at him- 8Ill ,top at T'll., on th
!ay $a*(,8 Ca,h- ,ay,- 8Gt on that $arn roo+-8
8It aint r,p*t+'l,8 pa ,ay,- 8It., a dli$rat +lo'ting o+ hr and o+
m-8
8Do yo' !ant him to *om all th !ay $a*( hro and *arry thm 'p to T'll.,
a+oot>8 Darl ,ay,- :a loo(., at Darl, hi, mo'th *h!ing- :a ,ha/, /ry day no!
$*a', my mothr i, a +i,h-
8It aint right,8 pa ,ay,-
D!y Dll ha, th pa*(ag in hr hand- Sh ha, th $a,(t !ith o'r dinnr
too-
8%hat., that>8 pa ,ay,-
87r, T'll., *a(,,8 D!y Dll ,ay,, gtting into th !agon- 8I.m ta(ing
thm to to!n +or hr-8
BIt aint right,8 pa ,ay,- 8It., a +lo'ting o+ th dad-8
It.ll $ thr- It.ll $ thr *om Chri,tma,, ,h ,ay,, ,hining on th
tra*(- Sh ,ay, h !ont ,ll it to no to!n $oy,-
Darl
H go, on to!ard th $arn, ntring th lot, !oodn0$a*(d-
D!y Dll *arri, th $a,(t on on arm, in th othr hand ,omthing
!rappd ,1'ar in a n!,papr- Hr +a* i, *alm and ,'lln, hr y, $rooding
and alrt@ !ithin thm I *an , :a$ody., $a*( li( t!o ro'nd pa, in t!o
thim$l,5 prhap, in :a$ody., $a*( t!o o+ tho, !orm, !hi*h !or( ,'rrptitio',
and ,tady thro'gh yo' and o't th othr ,id and yo' !a(ing ,'ddnly +rom ,lp
or +rom !a(ing, !ith on yo'r +a* an 6pr,,ion ,'ddn, intnt, and *on*rnd-
Sh ,t, th $a,(t into th !agon and *lim$, in, hr lg *oming long +rom
$nath hr tightning dr,,5 that l/r !hi*h mo/, th !orld@ on o+ that
*alipr !hi*h ma,'r, th lngth and $radth o+ li+- Sh ,it, on th ,at
$,id ?ardaman and ,t, th par*l on hr lap-
Thn h ntr, th $arn- H ha, not loo(d $a*(-
8It aint right,8 pa ,ay,- ItA, littl no'gh +or him to do +or hr-8
8Go on,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8La/ him ,tay i+ h !ant,- HAll $ all right hr-
7ay$ hAll go 'p to T'll., and ,tay-8
8HAll *at*h ',,8 I ,ay- 8HAll *'t a*ro,, and mt ', at T'll., lan-8
8H !o'ld ha/ rid that hor,, too,8 pa ,ay,, 8i+ I hadn.t a ,toppd him-
A d'rn ,pottd *rittr !ildr than a *attymo'nt- A dli$rat +lo'ting o+ hr
and o+ m-8
Th !agon mo/,@ th m'l,. ar, $gin to $o$- 3hind ',, a$o/ th ho',,
motionl,, in tall and ,oaring *ir*l,, thy dimini,h and di,appar-
An,
I told him not to $ring that hor, o't o+ r,p*t +or hi, dad ma, $*a', it
!o'ldn.t loo( right, him pran*ing along on a d'rn *ir*', animal and hr !anting
', all to $ in th !agon !ith hr that ,pr'ng@ +rom hr +l,h and $lood, $'t !
hadn.t no mor than pa,,d T'++, lan !hn Darl $g'n to la'gh- Stting5 $a*(
thr on th plan( ,at !ith Ca,h, !ith hi, dad ma laying in hr *o++in at hi,
+t, la'ghing- Ho! many tim, I told him i+ , doing ,'*h thing, a, that that
ma(, +ol(, tal( a$o't him, I dont (no!- I ,ay, I got ,om rgard +or !hat +ol(,
,ay, a$o't my +l,h, and $lood /n i+ yo' ha/n.t, /n i+ I ha/ rai,d ,'*h a
d'rn pa,,l o+ $oy,, and !hn yo' +i6, it ,o +ol(, *an ,ay ,'*h a$o't yo', it.,
a r+l*tion on yo'r ma, I ,ay,, not m5 I am a man and I *an ,tand it@ it., on
yo'r !omn+ol(,, yo'r ma and ,i,tr that yo' ,ho'ld *ar +or, and I t'rnd and
loo(d $a*( at him and him ,tting thr, la'ghing-
BI dont 6p*t yo' to ha/ no r,p*t +or m,8 I ,ay,- 83't !ith yo'r o!n
ma not *old in hr *o++in yt-8
BYondr,8 Ca,h ,ay,, 2r(ing hi, had to!ard th lan- Th hor, i, ,till
a right ,mart pi* a!ay, *oming 'p at a good pa*, $'t I dont ha/ to $ told
!ho it i,- I 2',t loo(d $a*( at Darl, ,tting thr la'ghing-
8I don my $,t,8 I ,ay,- 8I trid to do a, ,h !o'ld !i,h it- Th Lord
!ill pardon m and 6*', th *ond'*t o+ thm H ,nt m-8 And Darl ,tting on
th plan( ,at right a$o/ hr !hr ,h !a, laying, la'ghing-
Darl
H *om, 'p th lan +a,t, yt ! ar thr h'ndrd yard, $yond th mo'th o+ it
!hn h t'rn, into th road, th m'd +lying $nath th +li*(ing dri/ o+ th
hoo/,- Thn h ,lo!, a littl, light and r*t in th ,addl, th hor, min*ing
thro'gh th m'd-
T'll i, in hi, lot- H loo(, at ',, li+t, hi, hand- % go on, th !agon
*ra(ing, th m'd !hi,pring on th !hl,- ?rnon ,till ,tand, thr- H
!at*h, )!l a, h pa,,,, th hor, mo/ing !ith a light, high0(nd dri/ing
gait, thr h'ndrd yard, $a*(- % go on, !ith a motion ,o ,opori+i*, ,o
dramli( a, to $ 'nin+rant o+ progr,,, a, tho'gh tim and not ,pa* !r
d*ra,ing $t!n ', and it-
It t'rn, o++ at right angl,, th !hl0mart, o+ la,t S'nday hald a!ay
no!5 a ,mooth, rd ,*oriation *'r/ing a!ay into th pin,@ a !hit ,ign$oard
!ith +add lttring5 N! Hop Ch'r*h- 3 mi- It !hl, 'p li( a motionl,, hand
li+td a$o/ th pro+o'nd d,olation o+ th o*an@ $yond it th rd road li,
li( a ,po( o+ !hi*h Addi- 3'ndrn- i, th rim- It !hl, pa,t, mpty,
'n,*arrd, th !hit ,ign$oard t'rn, a!ay0it, +ading and tran1'il a,,rtion-
Ca,h, loo(, lip th road 1'itly, hi, $ad t'rning a, ! pa,, It li( an o!l,
had, hi, +a* *ompo,d- :a loo(, ,traight ahad, h'mpd- D!y Dll loo(, at
th road too, thn ,h loo(, $a*( at m, hr y, !at*h+'l and rp'diant, not
li( that 1',tion !hi*h !a, in tho, o+ Ca,h, +or a ,moldring !hil- Th
,ign$oard pa,,,@ th 'n,*arrd road !hl, on- Thn D!y Dll t'rn, hr had-
Th !agon *ra(, on-
Ca,h ,pit, o/r th !hl- BIn a *o'pl o+ day, no! it.ll $ ,mlling,8 h
,ay,-
8Yo' might tll )!l that,8 I ,ay-
H i, motionl,, no!, ,itting th hor, at th +'n*tion, 'pright, !at*hing
',, no l,, ,till than th ,ign$oard that li+t, it, +ading *apit'lation oppo,it
him-
BIt aint $alan*d right +or no long rid,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8Tll him that, too,8 I ,ay- Th !agon *ra(, on-
A mil +'rthr along h pa,,, ',, th hor,, ar*h0n*(d, rind $a*( to
a ,!i+t ,ingl+oot- H ,it, lightly, poi,d, 'pright, !oodn0+a*d in th
,addl, th $ro(n hat ra(d at a ,!aggring angl- H pa,,, ', ,!i+tly,
!itho't loo(ing at ',, th hor, dri/ing, it, hoo/, hi,,ing in th m'd- A go't
o+ m'd, $a*(0+l'ng, plop, onto th $o6- Ca,h lan, +or!ard and ta(, a tool +rom
hi, $o6 and rmo/, it *ar+'lly- %hn th road *ro,,, %hitla+, th !illo!,
laning nar no'gh, h $ra(, o++ a $ran*h and ,*o'r, at th ,tain !ith th !t
la/,-
An,
ItA, a hard *o'ntry on man@ it., hard- =ight mil, o+ th ,!at o+ hi, $ody
!a,hd 'p o'tn th Lord., arth, !hr th Lord Him,l+ told him to p't it-
No!hr in thi, ,in+'l !orld *an a hon,t, hard!or(ing man pro+it- It ta(, thm
that r'n, th ,tor, in th to!n,, doing no ,!ating, li/ing o++ o+ thm that
,!at,- It aint th hard!or(ing man, th +armr- Somtim, I !ondr !hy ! (p
at it- It., $*a', thr i, a r!ard +or ', a$o/, !hr thy *ant ta( thir
a'to, and ,'*h- =/ry man !ill $ 1'al thr and it !ill $ ta(n +rom thm
that ha/ and gi/ to thm that ha/ not $y th Lord-
3't it., a long !ait, ,m, li(- It., $ad that a +llo! m',t arn th
r!ard o+ hi, right0doing $y +lo'ting hi,,l+ and hi, dad- % dro/ all th
r,t o+ th day and got to Sam,on., at d',t0dar( and thn that $ridg !a, gon,
too- Thy hadn.t n/r , th ri/r ,o high, and it not don raining yt Thr
!a, old mn that hadn.t n/r , nor har o+ it $ing ,o in th mmory o+ man-
I am th *ho,n o+ th Lord, +or !ho H lo/th, ,o doth H *ha,ti,th- 3't I $
d'rn i+ H dont ta( ,om *'rio', !ay, to ,ho! it, ,m, li(-
3't no! I *an gt thm tth- That !ill $ a *om+ort- It !ill-
Sam,on
It !a, 2',t $+or ,'ndo!n- % !r ,itting on th por*h !hn th !agon *am 'p
th road !ith th +i/ o+ thm in it and th othr on on th hor, $hind- On
o+ thm rai,d hi, hand, $'t thy !a, going on pa,t th ,tor !itho't ,topping-
8%ho., that>8 7a*Call'm ,ay,5 I *ant thin( o+ hi, nam5 ;a+., t!in@ that
on it !a,-
It., 3'ndrn, +rom do!n $yond N! Hop,8 J'i*( ,ay,- 8Thr., on o+ thm
Snop, hor,, )!l., riding-8
8I didn.t (no! thr !a, r a on o+ thm hor,, l+t,8 7a*Call'm ,ay,-
8I tho'ght yo' +ol(, do!n thr +inally *ontri/d to gi/ thm all a!ay-8
8Try and gt that on,8 J'i*( ,ay,- Th !agon !nt on-
8I $t old man Lon n/r ga/ it to him,8 I ,ay,-
8No,8 J'i*( ,ay,- 8H $o'ght it +rom pappy-8 Th !agon !nt on- 8Thy m',t
not a hard a$o't th $ridg,8 h ,ay,-
8%hat.r thy doing 'p hr, any!ay>8 7a*Call'm ,ay,-
8Ta(ing a holiday ,in* h got hi, !i+ $'rid, I r*(on,8 J'i*( ,ay,-
8Hading +or to!n, I r*(on, !ith T'll., $ridg gon too- I !ondr i+ thy aint
hard a$o't th $ridg-8
8Thy.ll ha/ to +ly, thn,8 I ,ay,- 8I dont r*(on thr., r a $ridg
$t!n hr and 7o'th o+ I,hata!a-8
Thy had ,omthing in th !agon- 3't J'i*( had $n to th +'nral thr
day, ago and ! nat'rally n/r tho'ght anything a$o't it 6*pt that thy !r
hading a!ay +rom hom mighty lat and that thy hadn.t hard a$o't th $ridg-
8Yo' $ttr hollr at thm,8 7a*Call'm ,ay,- D'rn it, th nam i, right on th
tip o+ my tong'- So J'i*( hollrd and thy ,toppd and h !nt to th !agon
and told thm-
H *om $a*( !ith thm- 8Thy.r going to )++r,on,8 h ,ay,- 8Th $ridg
at T'll., i, gon, too-8 Li( ! didn.t (no! it, and hi, +a* loo(d +'nny,
aro'nd th no,tril,, $'t thy 2',t ,at thr, 3'ndrn and th girl and th *hap
on th ,at, and Ca,h and th ,*ond on, th on +ol(, tal(, a$o't, on a plan(
a*ro,, th tail0gat, and th othr on on that ,pottd hor,- 3't I r*(on thy
!a, ',d to it $y thn, $*a', !hn I ,aid to Ca,h that thy.d ha/ to pa,, $y
N! Hop again and !hat thy.d $ttr do, h 2',t ,ay,,
BI r*(on ! *an gt thr-8
I aint m'*h +or mddling- Lt /ry man r'n hi, o!n $',in,, to ,'it
him,l+, I ,ay- 3't a+tr I tal(d to ;a*hl a$o't thm not ha/ing a rg'lar man
to +i6 hr and it $ing )'ly and all, I !nt $a*( do!n to th $arn and trid to
tal( to 3'ndrn a$o't it-
8I gi/ hr my promi,,8 h ,ay,- 8Hr mind !a, ,t on it-8
I noti* ho! it ta(, a la4y man, a man that hat, mo/ing, to gt ,t on
mo/ing on* h do, gt ,tartd o++, th ,am a, h !a, ,t on ,taying ,till,
li( it aint th mo/ing h hat, ,o m'*h a, th ,tarting and th ,topping- And
li( h !o'ld $ (ind o+ pro'd o+ !hat/r *om 'p to ma( th mo/ing or th
,tting ,till loo( hard- H ,t thr on th !agon, h'n*hd 'p, $lin(ing,
li,tning to ', tll a$o't ho! 1'i*( th $ridg !nt and ho! high th !atr !a,,
and I $ d'rn i+ h didn.t a*t li( h !a, pro'd o+ it, li( h had mad th
ri/r ri, him,l+-
8Yo' ,ay it., highr than yo' /r , it $+or>8 h ,ay,- 8God., !ill $
don,8 h ,ay,- 8I r*(on it !ont go do!n m'*h $y morning, nithr,8 h ,ay,-
8Yo' $ttr ,tay hr tonight,8 I ,ay,, 8and gt a arly ,tart +or N!
Hop tomorro! morning-8 I !a, 2',t ,orry +or thm $on0ga'ntd m'l,- I told
;a*hl, I ,ay,, 8%ll, !o'ld yo' ha/ had m t'rn thm a!ay at dar(, ight mil,
+rom hom> %hat l, *o'ld I do,8 I ,ay,- 8It !ont $ $'t on night, and thy.ll
(p it in th $arn, and thy.ll ,holy gt ,tartd $y daylight-8 And ,o I ,ay,,
8Yo' ,tay hr tonight and arly tomorro! yo' *an go $a*( to N! Hop- I got
tool, no'gh, and th $oy, *an go on right a+tr ,'ppr and ha/ it d'g and
rady i+ thy !ant8 and thn I +o'nd that girl !at*hing m- I+ hr y, had a
$n pi,tol,, I !o'ldn.t $ tal(ing no!- I $ dog i+ thy didn.t $la4 at m-
And ,o !hn I !nt do!n to th $arn I *om on thm, hr tal(ing ,o ,h n/r
noti*d !hn I *om 'p-
8Yo' promi,d hr,8 ,h ,ay,- 8Sh !o'ldn.t go 'ntil yo' promi,d- Sh
tho'ght ,h *o'ld dpnd on yo'- I+ yo' dont do it, it !ill $ a *'r, on yo'-8
8Cant no man ,ay I dont aim to (p my !ord,8 3'ndrn ,ay,- 87y hart i,
opn to r a man-8
8I dont *ar !hat yo'r hart i,,8 ,h ,ay,- Sh !a, !hi,pring, (ind o+,
tal(ing +a,t- 8Yo' promi,d hr- Yo'./ got to- Yo'008 thn ,h ,n m and
1'it, ,tanding thr- I+ thy.d $n pi,tol,, I !o'ldn.t $ tal(ing no!- So !hn
I tal(d to him a$o't it, h ,ay,,
8I gi/ hr my promi,- Hr mind i, ,t on it-8
83't ,m, to m ,h.d rathr ha/ hr ma $'rid *lo, $y, ,o ,h *o'ld008
8It., Addi I gi/ th promi, to,8 h ,ay,- 8Hr mind i, ,t on it-8
So I told thm to dri/ it into th $arn, $*a', it !a, thratning rain
again, and that ,'ppr !a, a$o't rady- Only thy didn.t !ant to *om in-
8I than( yo',8 3'ndrn ,ay,- 8% !o'ldn.t di,*ommod yo'- % got a littl
,omthing in th $a,(t- % *an ma( o't-8
8%ll,8 I ,ay,, 8,in* yo' ar ,o parti*'lar a$o't yo'r !omn+ol(,, I am
too- And !hn +ol(, ,top, !ith ', at mal tim and !ont *om to th ta$l, my
!i+ ta(, it a, a in,'lt-8
So th girl !nt on to th (it*hn to hlp ;a*hl- And thn )!l *om to
m-
8Sho,8 I ,ay,- 8Hlp yo'r,l+ o'tn th lo+t- &d him !hn yo' $ait th
m'l,-8
8I rattr pay yo' +or him,8 h ,ay,-
8%hat +or>8 I ,ay,- 8I !o'ldn.t $gr'dg no man a $ait +or hi, hor,-8
8I rathr pay yo',8 h ,ay,@ I tho'ght h ,aid 6tra-
8=6tra +or !hat>8 I ,ay,- 8%ont h at hay and *orn>8
8=6tra +d,8 h ,ay,- 8I +d him a littl 6tra and I dont !ant him
$holdn to no man-8
8Yo' *ant $'y no +d +rom m, $oy,8 I ,ay,- 8And i+ h *an at that lo+t
*lan, I.ll hlp yo' load th ham onto th !agon in th morning-8
8H aint n/r $n $holdn to no man,8 h ,ay,- 8I rathr pay yo' +or
it-8
And i+ I had my rathr,, yo' !o'ldn.t $ hr a0tall, I !antd to ,ay- 3't
I 2',t ,ay,, 8Thn it., high tim h *ommn*d- Yo' *ant $'y no +d +rom m-8
%hn ;a*hl p't ,'ppr on, hr and th girl !nt and +i6d ,om $d,- 3't
!o'ldn.t any o+ thm *om in- 8Sh., $n dad long no'gh to gt o/r that ,ort
o+ +ooli,hn,,,8 I ,ay,- 3*a', I got 2',t a, m'*h r,p*t +or th dad a, r
a man, $'t yo'./ got to r,p*t th dad thm,l/,, and a !oman that., $n
dad in a $o6 +o'r day,, th $,t !ay to r,p*t hr i, to gt hr into th
gro'nd a, 1'i*( a, yo' *an- 3't thy !o'ldn.t do it-
8It !o'ldn.t $ right,8 3'ndrn ,ay,- 8Co'r,, i+ th $oy, !ant, to go to
$d, I r*(on I *an ,t 'p !ith hr- I dont $gr'dg hr it-8
So !hn I !nt $a*( do!n thr thy !r ,1'atting on th gro'nd aro'nd
th !agon, all o+ thm- 8Lt that *hap *om to th ho', and gt ,om ,lp,
any!ay,8 I ,ay,- 8And yo' $ttr *om too,8 I ,ay, to th girl- I !a,n.t aiming
to intr+r !ith thm- And I ,holy hadn.t don nothing to hr that I (no!d-
8H., don alrady a,lp,8 3'ndrn ,ay,- Thy had don p't him to $d in
th tro'gh in a mpty ,tall-
8%ll, yo' *om on, thn,8 I ,ay, to hr- 3't ,till ,h n/r ,aid
nothing- Thy 2',t ,1'attd thr- Yo' *o'ldn.t hardly , thm- 8Ho! a$o't yo'
$oy,>8 I ,ay,- 8Yo' got a +'ll day tomorro!-8 A+tr a !hil Ca,h ,ay,,
8I than( yo'- % *an ma( o't-8
8% !o'ldn.t $ $holdn,8 3'ndrn ,ay,- 8I than( yo' (indly-8
So I l+t thm ,1'atting thr- I r*(on a+tr +o'r day, thy !a, ',d to
it- 3't ;a*hl !a,n.t-
8It., a o'trag,8 ,h ,ay,- 8A o'trag-8
8%hat *o'ld h a don>8 I ,ay,- 8H gi/ hr hi, promi,d !ord-8
8%ho., tal(ing a$o't him>8 ,h ,ay,- 8%ho *ar, a$o't him>8 ,h ,ay,,
*rying- 8I 2',t !i,h that yo' and him and all th mn in th !orld that tort'r
', ali/ and +lo't ', dad, dragging ', 'p and do!n th *o'ntry008
8No!, no!,8 I ,ay,- 8Yo'.r 'p,t-8
8Dont yo' to'*h mD8 ,h ,ay,- 8Dont yo' to'*h mD8
A man *ant tll nothing a$o't thm- I li/d !ith th ,am on +i+tn
yar, and I $ d'rn i+ I *an- And I imagind a lot o+ thing, *oming 'p $t!n
',, $'t I $ d'rn i+ I /r tho'ght it !o'ld $ a $ody +o'r day, dad and that a
!oman- 3't thy ma( li+ hard on thm, not ta(ing it a, it *om, 'p, li( a man
do,-
So I laid thr, haring it *ommn* to rain, thin(ing a$o't thm do!n
thr, ,1'atting aro'nd th !agon and th rain on th roo+, and thin(ing a$o't
;a*hl *rying thr 'ntil a+tr a !hil it !a, li( I *o'ld ,till har hr
*rying /n a+tr ,h !a, a,lp, and ,mlling it /n !hn I (no!d I *o'ldn.t-
I *o'ldn.t d*id /n thn !hthr I *o'ld or not, or i+ it !a,n.t 2',t (no!ing
it !a, !hat it !a,-
So n6t morning I n/r !nt do!n thr- I hard thm hit*hing 'p and thn
!hn I (no!d thy m',t $ a$o't rady to ta( o't, I !nt o't th +ront and
!nt do!n th road to!ard th $ridg 'ntil I hard th !agon *om o't o+ th lot
and go $a*( to!ard N! Hop- And thn !hn I *om $a*( to th ho',, ;a*hl
2'mpd on m $*a', I !a,n.t thr to ma( thm *om in to $ra(+a,t- Yo' *ant
tll a$o't thm- )',t a$o't !hn yo' d*id thy man on tiling, I $ d'rn i+
yo' not only ha/n.t got to *hang yo'r mind, li( a, not yo' got to ta( a
ra!hiding +or thin(ing thy mant it-
3't it !a, ,till li( I *o'ld ,mll it- And ,o I d*idd thn that it
!a,n.t ,mlling it, $'t it !a, 2',t (no!ing it !a, thr, li( yo' !ill gt
+oold no! and thn- 3't !hn I !nt to th $arn I (n! di++rnt %hn I !al(d
into th hall!ay I ,a! ,omthing- It (ind o+ h'n(rd 'p !hn I *om in and I
tho'ght at +ir,t it !a, on o+ thm got l+t, thn I ,a! !hat it !a,- It !a, a
$'44ard- It loo(d aro'nd and ,a! m and !nt on do!n th hall, ,praddl0lggd,
!ith it, !ing, (ind o+ h'n(rd o't, !at*hing m +ir,t o/r on ,ho'ldr and
thn o/r th othr, li( a old $ald0hadd man- %hn it got o'tdoor, it $g'n
to +ly- It had to +ly a long tim $+or it /r got 'p into th air, !ith it
thi*( and ha/y and +'ll o+ rain li( it !a,-
I+ thy !a, $nt on going to )++r,on, I r*(on thy *o'ld ha/ gon
aro'nd 'p $y 7o'nt ?rnon, li( 7a*Call'm did- HAll gt hom a$o't day a+tr
tomorro!, hor,$a*(- Thn thy.d $ 2',t ightn mil, +rom to!n- 3't may$
thi, $ridg $ing gon too ha, larnd him th Lord., ,n, and 2'dgmnt-
That 7a*Call'm- H., $n trading !ith m o++ and on +or t!l/ yar,- I
ha/ (no!n him +rom a $oy 'p@ (no! hi, nam a, !ll a, I do my o!n- 3't $ d'rn
i+ I *an ,ay it-
D!y Dll
Th ,ign$oard *om, in ,ight- It i, loo(ing o't at th road no!, $*a', it *an
!ait- N! Hop- 3 mi- it !ill ,ay- N! Hop- 3 mi- N! Hop- 3 mi- And thn th
road !ill $gin, *'r/ing a!ay into th tr,, mpty !ith !aiting, ,aying N!
Hop thr mil,-
I hard that my mothr i, dad- I !i,h I had tim to lt hr di- I !i,h I
had tim to !i,h I had- It i, $*a', in th !ild and o'tragd arth too ,oon
too ,oon too ,oon- It., not that I !o'ldn.t and !ill not it., that it i, too
,oon too ,oon too ,oon-
No! it $gin, to ,ay it- N! Hop thr mil,- N! Hop thr mil,-
Thats what they mean by the womb of time$ the agony and the despair of
spreading bones, the hard girdle in which lie the outraged entrails of events
Ca,h., had t'rn, ,lo!ly a, ! approa*h, hi, pal mpty ,ad *ompo,d and
1',tioning +a* +ollo!ing th rd and mpty *'r/@ $,id th $ad !hl )!l
,it, th hor,, ga4ing ,traight ahad-
Th land r'n, o't o+ Darl., y,@ thy ,!im to pinpoint,- Thy $gin at my
+t and ri, along my $ody to my +a*, and thn my dr,, i, gon5 I ,it na(d
on th ,at a$o/ th 'nh'rrying m'l,, a$o/ th tra/ail- !uppose I tell him
to turn. -e will do what I say. )ont you know he will do what I say. On* I
!a(d !ith a $la*( /oid r',hing 'ndr m- I *o'ld not ,- I ,a! ?ardaman ri,
and go to th !indo! and ,tri( th (ni+ into th +i,h, th $lood g',hing,
hi,,ing li( ,tam $'t I *o'ld not ,- -ell do as I say. -e always does. I
can persuade him to anything. 2'ou know I can. !uppose I say Turn here. That !a,
!hn I did that tim- !uppose I do. /ell go to +ew -ope. /e wont have to go
to town. I ro, and too( th (ni+ +rom th ,traming +i,h ,till hi,,ing and
I (illd Darl-
/hen I used to sleep with %ardaman I had a nightmare once I thought I was
awake but I couldnt see and couldnt feel I couldnt feel the bed under me and
I couldnt think what I was I couldnt think of my name I couldnt even think I
am a girl I couldnt even think I nor even think I want to wake up nor remember
what was opposite to awake so I could do that I knew that something was passing
but I couldnt even think of time then all of a sudden I knew that something
was it was wind blowing over me it was like the wind came and blew me back from
where it was I was not blowing the room and %ardaman asleep and all of them
back, under me again and going on like a piece of cool silk dragging across my
naked legs
It $lo!, *ool o't o+ th pin,, a ,ad ,tady ,o'nd- N! Hop- %a, 3 mi-
%a, 3 mi- I $li/ in God I $li/ in God-
8%hy didn.t ! go to N! Hop, pa>8 ?ardaman ,ay,- 87r Sam,on ,aid ! !a,,
$'t ! don pa,,d th road-8
Darl ,ay,, 8Loo(, )!l-8 3't H i, not loo(ing at m- H i, loo(ing at
th ,(y- H $'44ard i, a, ,till a, i+ H !r naild to it-
% t'rn into T'll., lan- % pa,, th $arn and go on, th !hl,
!hi,pring in th m'd, pa,,ing th grn ro!, o+ *otton in th !ild arth, and
?rnon littl a*ro,, th +ild $hind th plo!- H li+t, hi, hand a, ! pa,, and
,tand, thr loo(ing a+tr ', +or a long !hil-
8Loo(, )!l,8 Darl ,ay,- )!l ,it, on hi, hor, li( thy !r $oth mad
o't o+ !ood, loo(ing ,traight ahad-
I $li/ in God, God- God, I $li/ in God-
T'll
A+tr thy pa,,d I ta(n th m'l o't and loopd 'p th tra* *hain, and
+ollo!d- Thy !a, ,tting in th !agon at th nd o+ th l/ !hn I *a'ght 'p
!ith thm- An, !a, ,tting thr, loo(ing at th $ridg !hr it !a, ,!aggd
do!n into th ri/r !ith 2',t th t!o nd, in ,ight- H !a, loo(ing at it li(
h had $li/d all th tim that +ol(, had $n lying to him a$o't it $ing
gon, $'t li( h !a, hoping all th tim it rally !a,- 9ind o+ pla,d
a,toni,hmnt h loo(d, ,tting on th !agon in hi, S'nday pant,, m'm$ling hi,
mo'th- Loo(ing li( a 'n*'rrid hor, dr,,d 'p5 I dont (no!-
Th $oy !a, !at*hing th $ridg !hr it !a, mid0,'n( and log, and ,'*h
dri+td 'p o/r it and it ,!agging and ,hi/ring li( th !hol thing !o'ld go
any min't, $ig0yd h !a, !at*hing it, li( h !a, to a *ir*',- And th gal
too- %hn I *om 'p ,h loo(d aro'nd at m, hr y, (ind o+ $laring 'p and
going hard li( I had mad to to'*h hr- Thn ,h loo(d at An, again and thn
$a*( at th !atr again-
It !a, nigh 'p to th l/ on $oth ,id,, th arth hid 6*pt +or th
tong' o+ it ! !a, on going o't to th $ridg and thn do!n into th !atr, and
6*pt +or (no!ing ho! th road and th $ridg ',d to loo(, a +llo! *o'ldn.t
tll !hr !a, th ri/r and !hr th land- It !a, 2',t a tangl o+ yllo! and
th l/ not l,, !idr than a (ni+0$a*( land o+, !ith ', ,tting in th !agon
and on th hor, and th m'l-
Darl !a, loo(ing at m, and thn Ca,h t'rnd and loo(d at m !ith that
loo( in hi, y, li( !hn h !a, +ig'ring on !hthr th plan(, !o'ld +it hr
that night, li( h !a, ma,'ring thm in,id o+ him and not a,(ing yo' to ,ay
!hat yo' tho'ght and not /n ltting on h !a, li,tning i+ yo' did ,ay it, $'t
li,tning all right- )!l hadn.t mo/d- H ,at thr on th hor,, laning a
littl +or!ard, !ith that ,am loo( on hi, +a* !hn him and Darl pa,,d th
ho', y,trday, *oming $a*( to gt hr-
8I+ it !a, 2',t 'p, ! *o'ld dri/ a*ro,,,8 An, ,ay,, 8% *o'ld dri/
right on a*ro,, it-8
Somtim, a log !o'ld gt ,ho/d o/r th 2am and +loat on, rolling and
t'rning, and ! *o'ld !at*h it go on to !hr th +ord ',d to $- It !o'ld ,lo!
'p and !hirl *ro,,!ay, and hang o't o+ !atr +or a min't, and yo' *o'ld tll $y
that that th +ord ',d to $ thr-
B3't that dont ,ho! nothing,8 I ,ay- It *o'ld h a $ar o+ 1'i*(,and $'ilt
'p thr-8 % !at*h th log- Thn th gal i, loo(ing at m again-
87r %hit+ild *ro,,d it,8 ,h ,ay,-
8H !a, a0hor,$a*(,8 I ,ay- 8And thr day, ago- It, ri4 +i/ +oot
,in*-8
8I+ th $ridg !a, 2',t 'p,8 An, ,ay,-
Th log $o$, 'p and go, on again- Thr i, a lot o+ tra,h and +oam, and
yo' *an har th !atr-
83't it, do!n,8 An, ,ay,-
Ca,h ,ay,, 8A *ar+'l +llo! *o'ld !al( a*ro,, yondr on th plan(, and
log,-8
83't yo' *o'ldn.t tot nothing,8 I ,ay- 8Li(ly tim yo' ,t +oot on that
m,,, it.ll all go, too- %hat yo' thin(, Darl>8
H i, loo(ing at m- H dont ,ay nothing@ 2',t loo(, at m !ith thm 1'r
y, o+ hi,n that ma(, +ol(, tal(- I al!ay, ,ay it aint n/r $n !hat h don
,o m'*h or ,aid or anything ,o m'*h a, ho! h loo(, at yo'- It., li( h had got
into th in,id o+ yo', ,om!ay- Li( ,omho! yo' !a, loo(ing at yo'r,l+ and
yo'r doing, o'tn hi, y,- Thn I *an +l that gal !at*hing m li( I had mad
to to'*h hr- Sh ,ay, ,omthing to An,- 8- - - 7r %hit+ild - --8 ,h ,ay,-
BI gi/ hr my promi,d !ord in th pr,n* o+ th Lord,8 An, ,ay,- 8I
r*(on it aint no nd to !orry-8
3't ,till h do, not ,tart th m'l,- % ,t thr a$o/ th !atr-
Anothr log $o$, 'p o/r th 2am and go, on@ ! !at*h it *h*( 'p and ,!ing
,lo! +or a min't !hr th +ord ',d to $- Thn it go, on-
8It might ,tart +alling tonight,8 I ,ay- 8Yo' *o'ld lay o/r on mor
day-8
Thn )!l t'rn, ,id!ay, on th hor,- H ha, not mo/d 'ntil thn, and
h t'rn, and loo(, at m- Hi, +a* i, (ind o+ grn, thn it !o'ld go rd and
thn grn again- 8Gt to hll on $a*( to yo'r damn plo!ing,8 h ,ay,- 8%ho th
hll a,(d yo' to +ollo! ', hr>8
8I n/r mant no harm,8 I ,ay-
8Sh't 'p, )!l,8 Ca,h ,ay,- )!l loo(, $a*( at th !atr, hi, +a*
grittd, going rd and grn and thn rd- 8%ll,8 Ca,h ,ay, a+tr a !hil,
8!hat yo' !ant to do>8
An, dont ,ay nothing- H ,t, h'mpd 'p, m'm$ling hi, mo'th- 8I+ it !a,
2',t 'p, ! *o'ld dri/ a*ro,, it,8 h ,ay,-
8Com on,8 )!l ,ay,, mo/ing th hor,-
8%ait,8 Ca,h ,ay,- H loo(, at th $ridg- % loo( at him, 6*pt An, and th
gal- Thy ar loo(ing at th !atr- 8D!y Dll and ?ardaman and pa $ttr !al(
a*ro,, on th $ridg,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8?rnon *an hlp thm,8 )!l ,ay,- 8And ! *an hit*h hi, m'l ahad o+
o'rn-8
8Yo' aint going to ta( my m'l into that !atr,8 I ,ay-
)!l loo(, at m- Hi, y, loo( li( pi*, o+ a $ro(n plat- IAll pay
+or yo'r damn m'l- I.ll $'y it +rom yo' right no!-8
87y m'l aint going into that !atr,8 I ,ay-
8)!l., going to ', hi, hor,,8 Darl ,ay,- 8%hy !ont yo' ri,( yo'r m'l,
?rnon>8
8Sh't 'p, Darl,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8Yo' and )!l $oth-8
87y m'l aint going into that !atr,8 I ,ay-
Darl
H ,it, th hor,, glaring at ?rnon, hi, lan +a* ,'++',d 'p to and $yond
th pal rigidity o+ hi, y,- Th ,'mmr !hn h !a, +i+tn, h too( a ,pll
o+ ,lping- On morning !hn I !nt to +d th m'l, th *o!, !r ,till in
th ti0'p and thn I hard pa go $a*( to th ho', and *all him- %hn ! *am
on $a*( to th ho', +or $ra(+a,t h pa,,d ',, *arrying th mil( $'*(t,,
,t'm$ling along li( h !a, dr'n(, and h !a, mil(ing !hn ! p't th m'l, in
and !nt on to th +ild !itho't him- % had $n thr an ho'r and ,till h
n/r ,ho!d 'p- %hn D!y Dll *am !ith o'r l'n*h, pa ,nt hr $a*( to +ind
)!l- Thy +o'nd him in th ti0'p, ,itting on th ,tool, a,lp-
A+tr that, /ry morning pa !o'ld go in and !a( him- H !o'ld go to
,lp at di ,'ppr ta$l and ,oon a, ,'ppr !a, +ini,hd h !o'ld go to $d,
and !hn I *am in to $d h !o'ld $ lying thr li( a dad man- Yt ,till pa
!o'ld ha/ to !a( him in th morning- H !o'ld gt 'p, $'t h !o'ldn.t hardly
ha/ hal+ ,n,5 h !o'ld ,tand +or pa., 2a!ing and *omplaining !itho't a !ord
and ta( th mil( $'*(t, and go to th $arn, and on* I +o'nd him a,lp at th
*o!, th $'*(t in pla* and hal+ +'ll and hi, hand, 'p to th !ri,t, in th
mil( and hi, had again,t th *o!., +lan(-
A+tr that D!y Dll had to do th mil(ing- H ,till got 'p !hn pa !a(d
him, going a$o't !hat ! told him to do in that da4d !ay- It !a, li( h !a,
trying hard to do thm@ that h !a, a, p'44ld a, anyon l,-
8Ar yo' ,i*(>8 ma ,aid- 8Dont yo' +l all right>8
8Y,,8 )!l ,aid- 8I +l all right-8
8H., 2',t la4y, trying m,8 pa ,aid, and )!l ,tanding thr, a,lp on
hi, +t li( a, not- 8Aint yo'>E h ,aid, !a(ing )!l 'p again to an,!r-
8No,8 )!l ,aid-
8Yo' ta( o++ and ,tay in th ho', today,8 ma ,aid-
8%ith that !hol $ottom pi* to $ $',td o't>8 pa ,aid- .I+ yo' aint
,i*(, !hat., th mattr !ith yo'>8
8Nothing,8 )!l ,aid- 8I.m all right-8
8All right>8 pa ,aid- 8Yo'.r a,lp on yo'r +t thi, min't-8
8No,8 )!l ,aid- 8I.m all right-8
8I !ant him to ,tay at hom today,8 ma ,aid-
8Ill nd him,8 pa ,aid- 8It., tight no'gh, !ith all o+ ', to do it-8
8Yo'.ll 2',t ha/ to do th $,t yo' *an !ith Ca,h and Darl,8 ma ,aid- 8I
!ant him to ,tay in today-8
3't h !o'ldn.t do it- 8I.m all right,8 h ,aid, going on- 3't h !a,n.t
all right- Any$ody *o'ld , it- H !a, lo,ing +l,h, and I ha/ ,n him go to
,lp *hopping@ !at*hd th ho going ,lo!r and ,lo!r 'p and do!n, !ith l,,
and l,, o+ an ar*, 'ntil it ,toppd and h laning on it motionl,, in th hot
,himmr o+ th ,'n-
7a !antd to gt th do*tor, $'t pa didn.t !ant to ,pnd th mony !itho't
it !a, nd+'l, and )!l did ,m all right 6*pt +or hi, thinn,, and hi, !ay
o+ dropping o++ to ,lp at any momnt- H at harty no'gh, 6*pt +or hi, !ay
o+ going to ,lp in hi, plat, !ith a pi* o+ $rad hal+!ay to hi, mo'th and
hi, 2a!, ,till *h!ing- 3't h ,!or h !a, all right-
It !a, ma that got D!y Dll to do hi, mil(ing, paid hr ,omho!, and th
othr 2o$, aro'nd th ho', that )!l had $n doing $+or ,'ppr ,h +o'nd
,om !ay +or D!y Dll and ?ardaman to do thm- And doing thm hr,l+ !hn pa
!a,n.t thr- Sh !o'ld +i6 him ,p*ial thing, to at and hid thm +or him- And
that may ha/ $n !hn I +ir,t +o'nd it o't, that Addi 3'ndrn ,ho'ld $
hiding anything ,h did, !ho had trid to ta*h ', that d*it !a, ,'*h that, in
a !orld !hr it !a,, nothing l, *o'ld $ /ry $ad or /ry important, not /n
po/rty- And at tim, !hn I !nt in to go to $d ,h !o'ld $ ,itting in th
dar( $y )!l !hr h !a, a,lp- And I (n! that ,h !a, hating hr,l+ +or
that d*it and hating )!l $*a', ,h had to lo/ him ,o that ,h had to a*t
th d*it-
On night ,h !a, ta(n ,i*( and !hn I !nt to th $arn to p't th tam
in and dri/ to T'll.,, I *o'ldn.t +ind th lantrn- I rmm$rd noti*ing it on
th nail th night $+or, $'t it !a,n.t thr no! at midnight- So I hit*hd in
th dar( and !nt on and *am $a*( !ith 7r, T'll 2',t a+tr daylight- And thr
th lantrn !a,, hanging on th nail !hr I rmm$rd it and *o'ldn.t +ind it
$+or- And thn on morning !hil D!y Dll !a, mil(ing 2',t $+or ,'n'p,
)!l *am into th $arn +rom th $a*(, thro'gh th hol in th $a*( !all, !ith
th lantrn in hi, hand-
I told Ca,h, and Ca,h and I loo(d at on anothr-
8;'tting,8 Ca,h ,aid-
8Y,,8 I ,aid- 83't !hy th lantrn> And /ry night, too- No !ondr h.,
lo,ing +l,h- Ar yo' going to ,ay anything to him>8
8%ont do any good,8 Ca,h ,aid-
8%hat h., doing no! !ont do any good, ithr-8
8I (no!- 3't h.ll ha/ to larn that him,l+- Gi/ him tim to rali,
that it.ll ,a/, that thr.ll $ 2',t a, m'*h mor tomorro!, and h.ll $ all
right- I !o'ldn.t tll any$ody, I r*(on-8
8No,8 I ,aid- 8I told D!y Dll not to- Not ma, any!ay-8
8No- Not ma-8
A+tr that I tho'ght it !a, right *omi*al5 h a*ting ,o $!ildrd and
!illing and dad +or ,lp and ga'nt a, a $an0pol, and thin(ing h !a, ,o
,mart !ith it- And I !ondrd !ho th girl !a,- I tho'ght o+ all I (n! that it
might $, $'t I *o'ldn.t ,ay +or ,'r-
8Taint any girl,8 Ca,h ,aid- 8It., a marrid !oman ,om!hr- Aint any
yo'ng girl got that m'*h daring and ,taying po!r- That., !hat I dont li( a$o't
it-8
8%hy>8 I ,aid- 8Sh.ll $ ,a+r +or him than a girl !o'ld- 7or 2'dgmnt-8
H loo(d at m, hi, y, +'m$ling, th !ord, +'m$ling at !hat h !a,
trying to ,ay- 8It aint al!ay, th ,a+ thing, in thi, !orld that a +llo! - - -
- - - -8
8Yo' man, th ,a+ thing, ar not al!ay, th $,t thing,>8
8Ay@ $,t,8 h ,aid, +'m$ling again- 8It aint th $,t thing,, th thing,
that ar good +or him --- A yo'ng $oy- A +llo! (ind o+ hat, to , - - -
!allo!ing in ,om$ody l,., mir - - -8 That., !hat h !a, trying to ,ay- %hn
,omthing i, n! and hard and $right, thr o'ght to $ ,omthing a littl
$ttr +or it than 2',t $ing ,a+@ ,in* th ,a+ thing, ar 2',t th thing,
that +ol(, ha/ $n doing ,o long thy ha/ !orn th dg, o++ and thr.,
nothing to th doing o+ thm that la/, a man to ,ay, That !a, not don $+or
and it *annot $ don again-
So ! didn.t tll, not /n !hn a+tr a !hil h.d appar ,'ddnly in th
+ild $,id ', and go to !or(, !itho't ha/ing had tim to gt hom and ma( o't
h had $n in $d all night- H !o'ld tll ma that h hadn.t $n h'ngry at
$ra(+a,t or that h had atn a pi* o+ $rad !hil h !a, hit*hing 'p th0
tam- 3't Ca,h and I (n! that h hadn.t $n hom at all on tho, night, and h
had *om 'p o't o+ th !ood, !hn ! got to th +ild- 3't ! didn.t tll-
S'mmr !a, almo,t o/r thn@ ! (n! that !hn th night, $gan to gt *ool, ,h
!o'ld $ don i+ h !a,n.t-
3't !hn +all *am and th night, $gan to gt longr, th only di++rn*
!a, that h !o'ld al!ay, $ in $d +or pa to !a( him, gtting him 'p at la,t in
that +ir,t ,tat o+ ,mi0idio*y li( !hn it +ir,t ,tartd, !or, than !hn h
had ,tayd o't all night-
8Sh., ,'r a ,tayr,8 I told Ca,h- 8I ',d to admir hr, $'t I do!nright
r,p*t hr no!-8
8It aint a !oman,8 h ,aid-
8Yo' (no!,8 I ,aid- 3't h !a, !at*hing m- 8%hat i, it, thn>8
8That., !hat I aim to +ind o't,8 h ,aid-
8Yo' *an trail him thro'gh th !ood, all night i+ yo' !ant to,8 I ,aid-
8I.m not-8
8I aint trailing him,8 h ,aid-
8%hat do yo' *all it, thn>8
8I aint trailing him,8 h ,aid- I dont man it that !ay-8
And ,o a +! night, latr I hard )!l gt 'p and *lim$ o't th !indo!,
and thn I hard Ca,h gt 'p and +ollo! him- Th n6t morning !hn I !nt to th
$arn, Ca,h !a, alrady thr, th m'l, +d, and h !a, hlping D!y Dll mil(-
And !hn I ,a! him I (n! that h (n! !hat it !a,- No! and thn I !o'ld *at*h
him !at*hing )!l !ith a 1'r loo(, li( ha/ing +o'nd o't !hr )!l !nt and
!hat h !a, doing had gi/n him ,omthing to rally thin( a$o't at la,t- 3't it
!a, not a !orrid loo(@ it !a, th (ind o+ loo( I !o'ld , on him !hn I !o'ld
+ind him doing ,om o+ )!l., !or( aro'nd th ho',, !or( that pa ,till tho'ght
)!l !a, doing and that ma tho'ght D!y Dll !a, doing- So I ,aid nothing to
him, $li/ing that !hn h got don dig,ting it in hi, mind, h !o'ld tll m-
3't h n/r did-
On morning00it !a, No/m$r thn, +i/ month, ,in* it ,tartd00)!l !a,
not in $d and h didn.t 2oin ', in th +ild- That !a, th +ir,t tim ma
larnd anything a$o't !hat had $n going on- Sh ,nt ?ardaman do!n to +ind
!hr )!l !a,, and a+tr a !hil ,h *am do!n too- It !a, a, tho'gh, ,o long
a, th d*it ran along 1'it and monotono',, all o+ ', lt o'r,l/, $
d*i/d, a$tting it 'na!ar, or may$ thro'gh *o!ardi*, ,in* all popl ar
*o!ard, and nat'rally pr+r any (ind o+ tra*hry $*a', it ha, a $land
o't,id- 3't no! it !a, li( ! had all00and $y a (ind o+ tlpathi* agrmnt
o+ admittd +ar000+l'ng th !hol thing $a*( li( *o/r, on th $d and ! all
,itting $olt 'pright in o'r na(dn,,, ,taring at on anothr arid ,aying 8No!
i, th tr'th- H ha,n.t *om hom- Somthing ha, happnd to him- % lt
,omthing happn to him-8
Thn ! ,a! him- H *am 'p along th dit*h and thn t'rnd ,traight
a*ro,, th +ild, riding th hor,- It, man and tail !r going, a, tho'gh in
motion thy !r *arrying o't th ,plot*hy pattrn o+ it, *oat5 h loo(d li(
h !a, riding on a $ig pin!hl, $ar0ha*(d, !ith a rop $ridl, and no hat on
hi, had- It !a, a d,*ndant o+ tho, T6a, poni, &lm Snop, $ro'ght hr
t!nty0+i/ yar, ago and a'*tiond o++ +or t!o dollar, a had and no$ody $'t
old Lon J'i*( /r *a'ght hi, and ,till o!nd ,om o+ th $lood $*a', h *o'ld
n/r gi/ it a!ay-
H gallopd 'p and ,toppd, hi, hl, in th hor,., ri$, and it dan*ing
and ,!irling li( th ,hap o+ it,5 man and tail and th ,plot*h, o+ it, *oat
had nothing !hat/r to do !ith th +l,h0and0$on hor, in,id thm, and h ,at
thr, loo(ing at ',-
8%hr did yo' gt that hor,>8 pa ,aid-
83o'ght it,8 )!l ,aid- 8&rom 7r J'i*(-8
83o'ght it>8 pa ,aid- 8%ith !hat> Did yo' $'y that thing on my !ord>8
BIt !a, my mony,8 )!l ,aid- 8I arnd it- Yo' !ont nd to !orry a$o't
it8
8)!l,8 ma ,aid@ 8)!l-8
8It., all right,8 Ca,h ,aid- 8H arnd th mony, H *land 'p that
+orty a*r, o+ n! gro'nd J'i*( laid o't la,t ,pring- H did it ,ingl handd,
!or(ing at night $y lantrn- I ,a! him- So I dont r*(on that hor, *o,t any$ody
anything 6*pt )!l- I dont r*(on ! nd !orry-8
8)!l,8 ma ,aid- 8)!l - - -8 Thn ,h ,aid5 8Yo' *om right to th
ho', and go to $d-8
8Not yt,8 )!l ,aid- 8I aint got tim- I got to gt m a ,addl and
$ridl- 7r J'i*( ,ay, h -,- -8
B)!l,8 ma ,aid, loo(ing at him- I.ll gi/00I.ll gi/- - -gi/ - - -8
Thn ,h $gan to *ry- Sh *rid hard, not hiding hr +a*, ,tanding thr in
hr +add !rappr, loo(ing at him and him on th hor,, loo(ing do!n at hr, hi,
+a* gro!ing *old and a littl ,i*( loo(ing, 'ntil h loo(d a!ay 1'i*( and Ca,h
*am and to'*hd hr-
8Yo' go on to th ho',,8 Ca,h ,aid- 8Thi, hr gro'nd i, too !t +or yo'-
Yo' go on, no!-8 Sh p't hr hand, to hr +a* thn and a+tr a !hil ,h !nt
on, ,t'm$ling a littl on th plo!0mar(,- 3't prtty ,oon ,h ,traightnd 'p
and !nt on, Sh didn.t loo( $a*(- %hn ,h ra*hd th dit*h ,h ,toppd and
*alld ?ardaman- H !a, loo(ing at th hor,, land o+ dan*ing 'p and do!n $y it-
8Lt m rid, )!l,8 h ,aid- 8Lt m rid, )!l-8
)!l loo(d at him, thn h loo(d a!ay again, holding th hor, rind
$a*(- :a !at*hd him, m'm$ling hi, lip-
8So yo' $o'ght a hor,,8 h ,aid- 8Yo' !nt $hind my $a*( and $o'ght a
hor,- Yo' n/r *on,'ltd m@ yo' (no! ho! tight it i, +or ', to ma( $y, yt
yo' $o'ght a hor, +or m to +d- Ta(n th !or( +rom yo'r +l,h and $lood and
$o'ght a hor, !ith it-8 )!l loo(d at pa, hi, y, palr than /r- 8H !ont
n/r at a mo'th+'l o+ yo'r,,8 h ,aid- 8Not a mo'th+'l- Ill (ill him +ir,t-
Dont yo' n/r thin( it- Dont yo' n/r-8
8Lt m rid, )!l,8 ?ardaman ,aid- 8Lt m rid, )!l-8 H ,o'ndd li(
a *ri*(t in th gra,,, a littl on- 8Lt m rid, )!l-8
That night I +o'nd ma ,itting $,id th $d !hr h !a, ,lping, in th
dar(- Sh *rid hard, may$ $*a', ,h had to *ry ,o 1'it@ may$ $*a', ,h
+lt th ,am !ay a$o't tar, ,h did a$o't d*it, hating hr,l+ +or doing it,
hating him $*a', ,h had to- And thn I (n! that I (n!- I (n! that a, plain
on that day a, I (n! a$o't D!y Dll on that day-
T'll
So thy +inally got An, to ,ay !hat h !antd to do, and him and th gal and
th $oy got o't o+ th !agon- 3't /n !hn ! !r on th $ridg An, (pt on
loo(ing $a*(, li( h tho'ght may$, on* h !a, o'tn th !agon, th !hol
thing !o'ld (ind o+ $lo! Tip and h !o'ld +ind him,l+ $a*( yondr in th +ild
again and hr laying 'p thr in th ho',, !aiting to di and it to do all o/r
again-
8Yo' o'ght to lt thm ta(n yo'r m'l,8 h ,ay,, and th $ridg ,ha(ing
and ,!aying 'ndr ',, going do!n into th moiling !atr li( it !nt do!n
thro'gh to th othr ,id o+ th arth, and th othr nd *oming 'p o'tn th
!atr li( it !a,n.t th ,am $ridg a0tall and that thm that !o'ld !al( 'p
o'tn th !atr on that ,id m',t *om +rom th $ottom o+ th arth- 3't it !a,
,till !hol@ yo' *o'ld tll that $y th !ay !hn thi, nd ,!aggd, it didn.t
loo( li( th othr nd ,!aggd at all5 2',t li( th othr tr, and th $an(
yondr !r ,!inging $a*( and +orth ,lo! li( on a $ig *lo*(- And thm log,
,*raping and 3'mping at th ,'n( part and tilting nd0'p and ,hooting *lan
o'tn th !atr and t'm$ling on to!ard th +ord and th !aiting, ,li*(,
!hirling, and +oamy-
8%hat good !o'ld that a don>8 I ,ay,- I+ yo'r tam *ant +ind th +ord and
ha'l it a*ro,,, !hat good !o'ld thr m'l, or /n tn m'l, do>8
8I aint a,(ing it o+ yo',8 h ,ay,- 8I *an al!ay, do +or m and min- I
aint a,(ing yo' to ri,( yo'r m'l- It aint yo'r dad@ I am not $laming yo'-8
8Thy o'ght to !nt $a*( and laid o/r 'ntil tomorro!,8 I ,ay,- Th !atr
!a, *old- It !a, thi*(, li( ,l',h i*- Only it (ind o+ li/d- On part o+ yo'
(no!d it !a, 2',t !atr, th ,am thing that had $n r'nning 'ndr thi, ,am
$ridg +or a long tim, yt !hn thm log, !o'ld *om ,p!ing 'p o'tn it, yo'
!r not ,'rpri,d, li( thy !a, a part o+ !atr, o+ th !aiting and th
thrat-
It !a, li( !hn ! !a, a*ro,,, 'p o't o+ th !atr again and th hard
arth 'ndr ',, that I !a, ,'rpri,d- It !a, li( ! hadn.t 6p*td th $ridg
to nd on th othr $an(, on ,omthing tam li( th hard arth again that !
had trompd on $+or thi, tim and (no!d !ll- Li( it *o'ldn.t $ m hr,
$*a', I.d ha/ had $ttr ,n, than to don !hat I 2',t don- And !hn I
loo(d $a*( and ,a! th othr $an( and ,a! my m'l ,tanding thr !hr I ',d
to $ and (n! that I.d ha/ to gt $a*( thr ,om!ay, I (n! it *o'ldn.t $,
$*am I 2',t thin( o+ anything that *o'ld ma( m *ro,, $ridg /r /n on*-
Yt hr I !a,, and th +llo! that *o'ld ma( him,l+ *ro,, it t!i*, *o'ldn.t
$ mt, not /n i+ Cora told him to-
It !a, that $oy- I ,aid 8Hr@ yo' $ttr ta( a holt o+ my hand8 and h
!aitd and hld to m- I $ dam i+ it !a,n.t % h *om $a*( and got m> li(
h 0!a, ,aying Thy !ont nothing h'rt yo'@ Li( h !a, ,aying a$o't a +in pla*
h (no!d, !hr Chri,tma, *om t!i* !ith Than(,gi/ing and la,t, on thro'gh th
!intr and th ,pring and th ,'mmr, had all 2',t ,tayd !ith him I.d $ all
right too-
%hn I loo(d $a*( at my m'l it !a, li( h !a, on o+ th, hr ,py0
gla,,, and I *o'ld loo( at him ,tanding thr and , all th $road land and my
ho', ,!atd o'tn it li( K !a, th mor th ,!aty th $roadr th land@ th
mor th ,!at, th tightr th ho', $*a', it !o'ld ta( a tight ho', +or
Cora, to hold Cora li( a 2ar o+ mil( in th ,pring@ yo'./ got to ha/ a tight
2ar oa+ yo'.ll nd a po!r+'l ,pring, ,o i+ yo' ha/ a $ig ,pring, !hy di,,
yo' ha/ th in*nti/ to ha/ tight, !llmad 2ar,, $*a', it i, yo'r mil(,
,oar or not, $*a', yo' !o'ld lathr ha/ mil( that !ill ,o'r than to ha/ mil(
that !ont, $*a', yo' ar a man-
And him holding to my hand, hi, hand that hot and *on+idnt@ ,o that I !a,
li( to ,ay5 Loo(0a0hr- Cant yo' , that m'l yondr> H n/r had no
$',in,, o/r hr, ,o h n/r *om, not $ing nothing $'t a m'l- 3*a', a
+llo! *an , /r no! and thn that *hildrn ha/ mor ,n, than him- 3't h
dont li( to admit it to thm 'ntil thy ha/ $ard,- A+tr thy ha/ a $ard,
thy ar too $',y $*a', thy dont (no! it thy.ll /r 1'it ma( it $a*( to
!hr thy !r in ,n, $+or thy !a, haird, ,o yo' dont mind admitting thn
to +ol(, that ar !orrying a$o't th ,am thing that aint !orth th !orry that
yo' ar yo'r,l+-
Thn ! !a, o/r and ! ,tood thr, loo(ing at Ca,h t'rning th !agon
aro'nd- % !at*hd thm dri/ $a*( do!n th road to !hr th trail tamd oil
into th $ottom- A+tr a !hil th !agon !a, o't o+ ,ight-
8% $ttr gt on do!n to th +ord and git rady to hlp,E I ,aid-
8I gi/ hr my !ord,8 An, ,ay,- 8It i, ,a*rd on m- I (no! yo' $gr'dg
it, $'t ,h !ill $l,, yo' in ha/n-8
8%ll, thy got to +ini,h *ir*'m/nting th land $+or thy *an dar th
!atr,8 I ,aid- 8Com on-8
8It., th t'rning $a*(,8 h ,aid- BIt aint no l'*( in t'rning $a*(-8
H !a, ,tanding thr, h'mpd, mo'rn+'l, loo(ing at th mpty road $yond
th ,!agging and ,!aying $ridg- And that gal, too, !ith th l'n*h $a,(t on on
arm and that pa*(ag 'ndr th othr- )',t going to to!n- 3nt on it- Thy !o'ld
ri,( th +ir and th arth and th !atr and all 2',t to at a ,a*( o+ $anana,-
8Yo' o'ght to laid o/r a day,8 I ,aid- It !o'ld a +ll ,om $y morning- It
mo'ght not a raind tonight- And it *ant gt no highr-8
8I gi/ my promi,,8 h ,ay,- 8Sh i, *o'nting on it-8
Darl
3+or ', th thi*( dar( *'rrnt r'n,- It tal(, 'p to ', in a m'rm'r $*om
*a,l,, and myriad, th yllo! ,'r+a* dimpld mon,tro',ly into +ading ,!irl,
tra/lling along th ,'r+a* +or an in,tant, ,ilnt, imprmannt and pro+o'ndly
,igni+i*ant, a, tho'gh 2',t $nath th ,'r+a* ,omthing h'g and ali/ !a(d
+or a momnt o+ la4y alrtn,, o't o+ and into light ,l'm$r again-
It *l'*(, and m'rm'r, among th ,po(, and a$o't th m'l,. (n,, yllo!,
,('mmd !ith +lot,am and !ith thi*( ,oild go't, o+ +oam a, tho'gh it had ,!at,
lathring, li( a dri/n hor,- Thro'gh th 'ndrgro!th it go, !ith a plainti/
,o'nd, a m',ing ,o'nd@ in it th 'n!indd *an and ,apling, lan a, $+or a
littl gal, ,!aying !itho't r+l*tion, a, tho'gh ,',pndd on in/i,i$l !ir,
+rom th $ran*h, o/rhad- A$o/ th *a,l,, ,'r+a* thy ,tand00tr,, *an,
/in,00rootl,,, ,/rd +rom th arth, ,p*tral a$o/ a ,*n o+ immn, yt
*ir*'m,*ri$d d,olation +illd !ith th /oi* o+ th !a,t and mo'rn+'l !atr-
Ca,h and I ,it in th !agon@ )!l ,it, th hor, at th o++ rar !hl-
Th hor, i, trm$ling, it, y rolling !ild and $a$y0$l' in it, long pin(
+a*, it, $rathing ,trtoro', li( groaning- H ,it, r*t, poi,d, loo(ing
1'itly and ,tadily and 1'i*(ly thi, !ay and that, hi, +a* *alm, a littl
pal, alrt- Ca,h., +a* i, al,o gra/ly *ompo,d@ h and I loo( at on anothr
!ith long pro$ing loo(,, loo(, that pl'ng 'nimpdd thro'gh on anothr., y,
and into th 'ltimat ,*rt pla* !hr +or an in,tant Ca,h and Darl *ro'*h
+lagrant and 'na$a,hd in all th old trror and th old +or$oding, alrt and
,*rt and !itho't ,ham- %hn ! ,pa( o'r /oi*, ar 1'it, dta*hd-
8I r*(on !.r ,till in th road, all right-8
8T'll ta(n and *'t thm t!o $ig !hitoa(,- I hard tll ho! at high !atr
in th old day, thy ',d to lin 'p th +ord $y thm tr,-8
8I r*(on h did that t!o yar, ago !hn h !a, logging do!n hr- I
r*(on h n/r tho'ght that any$ody !o'ld /r ', thi, +ord again-8
8I r*(on not- Y,, it m',t ha/ $n thn- H *'t a ,ight o+ tim$r o'tn
hr thn- :ayd o++ that mortgag !ith it, I har tll-8
8Y,- Y,, I r*(on ,o- I r*(on ?rnon *o'ld ha/ don that-8
8That., a +a*t- 7o,t +ol(, that log, in thi, hr *o'ntry, thy nd a
d'rn good +arm to ,'pport th ,a!mill- Or may$ a ,tor- 3't I r*(on ?rnon
*o'ld-8
8I r*(on ,o- H., a ,ight-8
8Ay- ?rnon i,- Y,, it m',t ,till $ hr- H n/r !o'ld ha/ got that
tim$r o't o+ hr i+ h hadn.t *land o't that old road- I r*(on ! ar ,till
on it-8 H loo(, a$o't 1'itly, at th po,ition o+ th tr,, laning thi, !ay
and that, loo(ing $a*( along th +loorl,, road ,hapd /ag'ly high in air $y
th po,ition o+ th loppd and +lld tr,, a, i+ th road too had $n ,oa(d
+r o+ arth and +loatd 'p!ard, to la/ in it, ,p*tral tra*ing a mon'mnt to
a ,till mor pro+o'nd d,olation than thi, a$o/ !hi*h ! no! ,it, tal(ing
1'itly o+ old ,*'rity and old tri/ial thing,- )!l loo(, at him, thn at m,
thn hi, +a* t'rn, in in that 1'it@ *on,tant, 1',ting a$o't th ,*n, th
hor, trm$ling 1'itly and ,tadily $t!n hi, (n,-
8H *o'ld go on ahad ,lo! and ,ort o+ +l it o't,8 I ,ay-
8Y,,8 Ca,h ,ay,, not loo(ing at m- Hi, +a* i, in pro+il a, h loo(,
+or!ard !hr )!l ha, mo/d on ahad-
8H *ant mi,, th ri/r,8 I ,ay- 8H *o'ldn.t mi,, ,ing it +i+ty yard,
ahad-8
Ca,h do, not loo( at m, hi, +a* in pro+il, 8I+ I.d 2',t ,',pi*iond
it, I *o'ld a *om do!n la,t !( and ta(n a ,ight on it-8
8Th $ridg !a, 'p thn,8 I ,ay- H do, not loo( at m- 8%hit+ild
*ro,,d it a0hor,$a*(-8
)!l loo(, at ', again, hi, 6pr,,ion ,o$r and alrt and ,'$d'd- Hi,
/oi* i, 1'it- 8%hat yo' !ant m to do>8
8I o'ght to *om do!n la,t !( and ta(n a ,ight on it,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8% *o'ldn.t ha/ (no!n,8 I ,ay- 8Thr !a,n.t any !ay +or ', to (no!-8
8IAll rid on ahad,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Yo' *an +ollo! !hr I am-8 H li+t,
th hor,- It ,hrin(,, $o!d@ h lan, to it, ,pa(ing to it, li+ting it +or!ard
almo,t $odily, it ,tting it, +t do!n !ith gingrly ,pla,hing,, trm$ling,
$rathing har,hly- H ,pa(, to it, m'rm'r, to it- 8Go on,8 h ,ay,- 8I aint
going to lt nothing h'rt yo'- Go on, no!-8
8)!l,8 Ca,h ,ay,- )!l do, not loo( $a*(- H li+t, th hor, on-
8H *an ,!im,8 I ,ay- 8I+ h.ll 2',t gi/ th hor, tim, anyho! - - -8
%hn h !a, $orn, h had a $ad tim o+ it 7a !o'ld ,it in th lamp0light,
holding him on a pillo! on hr lap- % !o'ld !a( and +ind hr ,o- Thr !o'ld
$ no ,o'nd +rom thm-
8That pillo! !a, longr than him,8 Ca,h ,ay,- H i, laning a littl
+or!ard, 8I o'ght to *om do!n la,t !( and ,ightd- I o'ght to don it-8
8That., right,8 I ,ay- 8Nithr hi, +t nor hi, had !o'ld ra*h th nd
o+ it- Yo' *o'ldn.t ha/ (no!n-8 I ,ay-
8I o'ght to don it,8 h ,ay,- H li+t, th rin,- Th m'l, mo/, into
th tra*,@ th !hl, m'rm'r ali/ in th !atr- H loo(, $a*( and do!n at
Addi- 8It aint on a $alan*,8 h ,ay,-
At la,t th tr, opn@ again,t th opn ri/r )!l ,it, th hor,, hal+
t'rnd, it $lly dp no!- A*ro,, th ri/r ! *an , ?rnon and pa and
?ardaman and D!y Dll ?rnon i, !a/ing at ',, !a/ing ', +'rthr do!n ,tram-
8% ar too high 'p,8 Ca,h ,ay,- ?rnon i, ,ho'ting too, $'t ! *annot
ma( o't !hat h ,ay, +or ti noi, o+ th !atr- It r'n, ,tady and dp no!,
tin0$ro(n, !itho't ,n, o+ motion 'ntil a log *om, along, t'rning ,lo!ly-
8%at*h it,8 Ca,h ,ay,- % !at*h it and , it +altr and hang +or a momnt, th
*'rrnt $'ilding 'p $hind it in a thi*( !a/, ,'$mrging it +or an in,tant
$+or it ,hoot, 'p and t'm$l, on-
8Thr it i,,8 I ,ay-
8Ay,8 Ca,h ,ay,- It., thr-8 % loo( at ?rnon again- H i, no! +lapping
hi, arm, 'p and do!n- % mo/ on do!n,tram, ,lo!ly and *ar+'lly, !at*hing
?rnon- H drop, hi, hand,- 8Thi, i, th pla*,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8%ll, goddamn it, lt., gt a*ro,,, thn,8 )!l ,ay,, H mo/, th hor,
on-
8Yo' !ait,8 Ca,h ,ay,- )!l ,top, again-
8%ll, $y God008 h ,ay,- Ca,h loo(, at th !atr, thn h loo(, $a*( at
Addi- 8It aint on a $alan*,8 h ,ay,-
8Thn go on $a*( to th goddamn $ridg and !al( a*ro,,,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Yo'
and Darl $oth- Lt m on that !agon-8
Ca,h do, not pay him any attntion- It aint on a $alan*,8 h ,ay,- 8Y,,
,ir- % got to !at*h it-8
8%at*h it, hll,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Yo' gt o't o+ that !agon and lt m ha/
it- 3y God, i+ yo'.r a+raid to dri/ it o/r - - -8 Hi, y, ar pal a, t!o
$la*hd *hip, in hi, +a*- Ca,h i, loo(ing at him-
8%.ll gt it o/r,8 h ,ay,- 8I tll yo' !hat yo' do- Yo' rid on $a*(
and !al( a*ro,, th $ridg and *om do!n th othr $an( and mt ', !ith th
rop- ?rnon.ll ta( yo'r hor, hom !ith him and (p it till ! gt $a*(-8
8Yo' go to hll,8 )!l ,ay,-
8Yo' ta( th rop and *om do!n th $an( and $ rady !ith it,8 Ca,h
,ay,- 8Thr *ant do no mor than t!o *an00on to dri/ and on to ,tady it-8
8Goddamn yo',8 )!l ,ay,-
8Lt )!l ta( th nd o+ th rop and *ro,, 'p,tram o+ ', and $ra*
it,8 I ,ay- 8%ill yo' do that, )!l>8
)!l !at*h, m, hard- H loo(, 1'i*( at Ca,h, thn $a*( at m, hi, y,
alrt and hard- 8I dont gi/ a damn- )',t ,o ! do ,omthing- Stting hr, not
li+ting a goddamn hand ---8
8LtA, do that, Ca,h,8 I ,ay-
8I r*(on !All ha/ to,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
Th ri/r it,l+ i, not a h'ndrd yard, a*ro,,, and pa and ?rnon and
?ardaman and D!y Dll ar th only thing, in ,ight not o+ that ,ingl monotony
o+ d,olation laning !ith, that trri+i* 1'ality a littl +rom right to l+t,
a, tho'gh ! had ra*hd th pla* !hr th motion o+ th !a,td !orld
a**lrat, 2',t $+or th +inal pr*ipi*- Yt thy appar d!ar+d- It i, a,
tho'gh th ,pa* $t!n ', !r tim5 an irr/o*a$l 1'ality- It i, a, tho'gh
tim, no longr r'nning ,traight $+or ', in a dimini,hing lin, no! r'n,
paralll $t!n ', li( a looping ,tring, ti di,tan* $ing th do'$ling
a**rtion o+ th thrad and not th intr/al $t!n- Th m'l, ,tand, thir
+or 1'artr, alrady ,lopd a littl, thir romp, high- Thy too ar $rathing
no! !ith a dp groaning ,o'nd@ loo(ing $a*( on*, thir ga4 ,!p, a*ro,, ',
!ith in thir y, a !ild, ,ad, pro+o'nd and d,pairing 1'ality a, tho'gh thy
had alrady ,n in th thi*( !atr th ,hap o+ th di,a,tr !hi*h thy *o'ld
not ,pa( and ! *o'ld not ,-
Ca,h t'rn, $a*( into th !agon- H lay, hi, hand, +lat on Addi, ro*(ing
hr a littl- Hi, +a* i, *alm, do!n0,lopd, *al*'lant, *on*rnd- H li+t, hi,
$o6 o+ tool, and !dg, it +or!ard tindr th ,at@ togthr ! ,ho/ Addi
+or!ard, !dging hr $t!n th tool, and th !agon $d- Thn h loo(, at m-
8No,8 I ,ay- 8I r*(on IAll ,tay- 7ight ta( $oth o+ ',-8
&rom th tool $o6 h ta(, hi, *oild rop and *arri, th nd t!i*
aro'nd th ,at ,tan*hion and pa,,, th nd to m !itho't tying it- Th othr
nd h pay, o't to )!l, !ho ta(, a t'rn a$o't hi, ,addl horn-
H m',t +or* th hor, do!n into th *'rrnt- It mo/,, high(nd,
ar*hn*(d, $oring and *ha+ing- )!l ,it, lightly +or!ard, hi, (n, li+td a
littl@ again hi, ,!i+t alrt *alm ga4 ,!p, 'pon ', and on- H lo!r, th
hor, into th ,tram, ,pa(ing to it in a ,oothing m'rm'r- Th hor, ,lip,,
go, 'ndr to th ,addl, ,'rg, to it, +t again, th *'rrnt $'ilding 'p
again,t )!l., thigh,-
8%at*h yo'r,l+,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8I.m on it no!,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Yo' *an *om ahad no!-8
Ca,h ta(, th rin, and lo!r, th tam *ar+'lly and ,(ill+'lly into th
,tram-
I felt the current take us and I knew we were on the ford by that reason,
since it was only by means of that slipping contact that we could tell that we
were in motion at all. /hat had once been a -flat surface was now a succession
of troughs and hillocks lifting and falling about us, shoving at us, teasing at
us with light la3y touches in the vain instants of solidity underfoot. 0ash
looked back at me, and then I knew that we were gone. &ut I did not realise the
reason for the rope until I saw the log. It surged up out of the water and
stood for an instant upright upon that surging and heaving desolation like
0hrist. 4et out and let the current take you down to the bend, 0ash said. 'ou
can make it all right. +o, I said, Id get (ust as wet that way as this
Th log appar, ,'ddnly $t!n t!o hill,, a, i+ it had ro*(td ,'ddnly
+rom th $ottom o+ th ri/r- <pon th nd o+ it a long go't o+ +oam hang, li(
th $ard o+ an old man or a goat- %hn Ca,h ,pa(, to m I (no! that h ha,
$n !at*hing it all th tim, !at*hing it and !at*hing )!l tn +t ahad o+
',- 8Lt th rop go,8 h ,ay,- %ith hi, othr hand h ra*h, do!n and r/,
th t!o t'rn, +rom th ,tan*hion- 8;id on, )!l,8 h ,ay,@ 8, i+ yo' *an
p'll ', ahad o+ th log-8
)!l ,ho't, at th hor,@ again h appar, to li+t it $odily $t!n hi,
(n,- H i, 2',t a$o/ th top o+ th +ord and th hor, ha, a p'r*ha, o+ ,om
,ort +or it ,'rg, +or!ard, ,hining !tly hal+ o't o+ !atr, *ra,hing on in a
,'**,,ion o+ l'ng,- It mo/, 'n$li/a$ly +a,t@ $y that to(n )!l rali,,
at la,t that th rop i, +r, +or I *an , him ,a!ing $a*( on th rin,, hi,
had t'rnd, a, th log rar, in a long ,l'ggi,h l'ng $t!n ',, $aring do!n
'pon th tam- Thy , it too@ +or a momnt thy al,o ,hin $la*( o't o+ !atr-
Thn th do!n,tram on /ani,h,, dragging th othr !ith him@ th !agon ,hr,
*ro,,!i,, poi,d on th *r,t o+ th +ord a, th log ,tri(, it, tilting it 'p
and on- Ca,h i, hal+ t'rnd, th rin, r'nning ta't +rom hi, hand and
di,apparing into th !atr, th othr hand ra*hd $a*( 'pon Addi, holding hr
2ammd o/r again,t th high ,id o+ th !agon- 8)'mp *lar,8 h ,ay, 1'itly-
8Stay a!ay +rom th tam and dont try to +ight it- It.ll ,!ing yo' into th $nd
all right-8
8Yo' *om too,8 I ,ay- ?rnon and ?ardaman ar r'nning along th $an(, pa
and D!y Dll ,tand !at*hing ',, D!y Dll !ith th $a,(t and th pa*(ag in
hr arm,- )!l i, trying to +ight th hor, $a*(- Th had o+ on m'l appar,,
it, y, !id@ it loo(, $a*( at ', +or an in,tant, ma(ing a ,o'nd almo,t h'man-
Th had /ani,h, again-
83a*(, )!l,8 Ca,h ,ho't,- 83a*(, )!l-8 &or anothr in,tant I , him
laning to th tilting !agon, hi, arm $ra*d $a*( again,t Addi and hi, tool,@ I
, th $ardd had o+ th raring log ,tri( 'p again, and $yond it )!l
holding th hor, 'prard, it, had !rn*hd aro'nd, hammring it, had !ith
hi, +i,t- I 2'mp +rom th !agon on th do!n,tram ,id- 3t!n t!o hill, I ,
th m'l, on* mor- Thy roll 'p o't o+ th !atr in ,'**,,ion, t'rning
*ompltly o/r, thir lg, ,ti++ly 6tndd a, !hn thy had lo,t *onta*t !ith
th arth-
?ardaman
Ca,h trid $'t ,h +ll o++ and Darl 2'mpd going 'ndr h !nt 'ndr and Ca,h
hollring to *at*h hr and I hollring r'nning and hollring and D!y Dll
hollring at m ?ardaman yo' ?ardaman yo' ?ardaman and ?rnon pa,,d m $*a',
h !a, ,ing hr *om 'p and ,h 2'mpd into th !atr again and Darl hadn.t
*a'ght hr yt
H *am 'p to , and I hollring *at*h hr Darl *at*h hr and h didn.t
*om $a*( $*a', ,h !a, too ha/y h had to go on *at*hing at hr and I
hollring *at*h hr darl *at*h hr darl $*a', in th !atr ,h *o'ld go +a,tr
than a man and Darl had to gra$$l +or hr ,o I (n! h *o'ld *at*h hr $*a',
h i, th $,t gra$$lr /n !ith th m'l, in th !ay again thy di/d 'p
rolling thir +t ,ti++ rolling do!n again and thir $a*(, 'p no! and Darl had
to again $*a', in th !atr ,h *o'ld go +a,tr than a man or !oman and I
pa,,d ?rnon and $ !o'ldn.t gt in th !atr and hlp Darl h !o'ldn.t gra$$l
+or hr !ith Darl h (n! $'t h !o'ldn.t hlp
Th m'l, di/d 'p again di/ing thir lg, ,ti++ thir ,ti++ lg, rolling
,lo! and thn Darl again and I hollring *at*h hr darl *at*h hr had hr into
th $an( darl and ?rnon !o'ldn.t hlp and thn Darl dodgd pa,t th m'l, !hr
h *o'ld h had hr 'ndr th !atr *oming in to th $an( *oming in ,lo! $*a',
in th !atr ,h +o'ght to ,tay 'ndr th !atr $'t Darl i, ,trong and h !a,
*oming in ,lo! and ,o I (n! h had hr $*a', h *am ,lo! and I ran do!n into
th !atr to hlp and I *o'ldn.t ,top hollring $*a', Darl !a, ,trong and
,tady holding hr 'ndr th !atr /n i+ ,h did +ight h !o'ld not lt hr go
h !a, ,ing m and h !o'ld hold hr and it !a, all right no! it !a, all right
no! it !a, all right
Then he comes up out of the water. -e comes a long way up slow before his
hands do but hes got to have her got to so I can bear it. Then his hands come
up and all of him above the water. I cant stop. I have not got 2time to try. I
will try to when I can but his hands came empty out of the water emptying the
water emptying away
8%hr i, ma, Darl>8 I ,aid- 8Yo' n/r got hr- Yo' (n! ,h i, a +i,h
$'t yo' lt hr gt a!ay- Yo' n/r got hr- Darl- Darl- Darl-8 I $gan to r'n
along th $an(, !at*hing th m'l, di/ 'p ,lo! again and thn do!n again-
T'll
%hn I told Cora ho! Darl 2'mpd o't o+ th !agon and l+t Ca,h ,itting thr
trying to ,a/ it and th !agon t'rning o/r, and )!l that !a, almo,t to th
han( +ighting that hor, $a*( !hr it had mor ,n, than to go, ,h ,ay, 8And
yo'.r on o+ th +ol(, that ,ay, Darl i, th 1'r on, th on that aint
$right@ and him th only on o+ thm that had ,n, no'gh to gt o++ that
!agon- I noti* An, !a, too ,mart to $n on it a0tall-8
8H *o'ldn.t a don no good, i+ h.d $n thr,8 I ,aid- 8Thy !a, going
a$o't it right and thy !o'ld ha/ mad it i+ it hadn.t a $n +or that log-8
8Log, +iddl,ti*(,,8 Cora ,aid- 8It !a, th hand o+ God-8
8Thn ho! *an yo' ,ay it !a, +ooli,h>8 I ,aid- 8No$ody *ant g'ard again,t
th hand o+ God- It !o'ld $ ,a*rilg to try to-8
8Thn !hy dar it>8 Cora ,ay,- 8Tll m that-8
8An, didn.t-8 I ,aid- BThat., 2',t !hat yo' +a'ltd him +or-8
8Hi, pla* !a, thr,8 Cora ,aid- 8I+ h had $n a man, h !o'ld a $n
thr in,tad o+ ma(ing hi, ,on, do !hat h d'r,n.t-8
8I dont (no! !hat yo' !ant, thn,8 I ,aid- 8On $rath yo' ,ay thy !a,
daring th hand o+ God to try it, and th n6t $rath yo' 2'mp on An, $*a',
h !a,n.t !ith thm-8 Thn ,h $g'n to ,ing again, !or(ing at th !a,ht'$, !ith
that ,inging loo( in hr +a* li( ,h had don gi/ 'p +ol(, and all thir
+ooli,hn,, and had don !nt on ahad o+ thm, mar*hing 'p th ,(y, ,inging-
Th !agon h'ng +or a long tim !hil th *'rrnt $'ilt 'p 'ndr it,
,ho/ing it o++ th +ord, and Ca,h laning mor and mor, trying to (p th
*o++in $ra*d ,o it !o'ldn.t ,lip do!n and +ini,h tilting th !agon o/r- Soon
a, th !agon got tiltd good, to !hr th *'rrnt *o'ld +ini,h it, th log !nt
on- It hadd aro'nd th !agon and !nt on good a, a ,!imming man *o'ld ha/
don- It !a, li( it had $n ,nt thr to do a 2o$ and don it and !nt on-
%hn th m'l, +inally (i*(d loo,, it loo(d +or a min't hi( may$
Ca,h !o'ld gt th !agon $a*(, It loo(d li( him and th !agon !a,n.t mo/ing at
all, and 2',t )!l +ighting that hor, $a*( to th !agon- Thn that $oy pa,,d
m, r'nning and hollring at Darl and th gal trying to *at*h him, and thn I
, th m'l, *om rolling ,lo! 'p o't o+ th !atr, thir lg, ,praddld ,ti++
li( thy had $al(d 'p,id do!n, and roll on into th !atr again-
Thn th !agon tiltd o/r and thn it and )!l and th hor, !a, all
mi6d 'p togthr- Ca,h !nt o'tn ,ight, ,till holding th *o++in $ra*d, and
thn I *o'ldn.t tll anything +or th hor, l'nging and ,pla,hing- I tho'ght
that Ca,h had gi/ 'p thn and !a, ,!imming +or it and I !a, ylling at )!l to
*om on $a*( and thn all o+ a ,'ddn him and th hor, !nt 'ndr too and I
tho'ght thy !a, all going- I (n! that th hor, had got draggd o++ th +ord
too, and !ith that !ild dro!ning hor, and that !agon and that loo, $o6, it !a,
going to $ prtty $ad, and thr I !a,, ,tanding (n0dp in th !atr,
ylling at An, $hind m5 8S !hat yo' don no!> S !hat yo' don no!>8
Th hor, *om 'p again- It !a, hadd +or th han( no!, thro!ing it, had
'p, and thn I ,a! on o+ thm holding to th ,addl on th do!n,tram ,id, ,o
I ,tartd r'nning along th $an(, trying to *at*h ,ight o+ Ca,h $*a',, h
*o'ldn.t ,!im, ylling at )!l !hr Ca,h !a, li( a d'rn +ool, $ad a, that $oy
that !a, on do!n th $an( ,till hollring at Darl-
So I !nt do!n into th !atr ,o I *o'ld ,till (p ,om (ind o+ a grip in
th m'd, !hn I ,a! )!l- H !a, middl dp, ,o I (n! h !a, on th +ord,
any!ay, laning hard 'p,tram, and thn I , th rop, and thn I , th !atr
$'ilding 'p !hr h !a, holding th !agon ,n'$$d 2',t $lo! th +ord-
So it !a, Ca,h holding to th hor, !hn it *om ,pla,hing and ,*ram$ling
'p th $an(, moaning and groaning li( a nat'ral man- %hn I *om to it it !a,
2',t (i*(ing Ca,h loo, +rom hi, holt on th ,addl- Hi, +a* t'rnd 'p a ,*ond
!hn h !a, ,liding $a*( into th !atr- It !a, gray, !ith hi, y, *lo,d and a
long ,!ip o+ m'd a*ro,, hi, +a*- Thn h lt go and t'rnd o/r in th !atr-
H loo(d 2',t li( a old $'ndl o+ *loth, (ind o+ !a,hing 'p and do!n again,t
th $an(- H loo(d li( h !a, laying thr in th !atr on hi, +a*, ro*(ing
'p and do!n a littl, loo(ing at ,omthing on th $ottom-
% *o'ld !at*h th rop *'tting do!n into th !atr, and ! *o'ld +l th
!ight o+ th !agon (ind o+ $l'mp and l'ng la4y li(, li( it 2',t a, ,oon a,
not, and that rop *'tting do!n into th !atr hard a, a iron $ar- % *o'ld har
th !atr hi,,ing on it li( it !a, rd hot Li( it !a, a ,traight iron $ar
,t'*( into th $ottom and ', holding th nd o+ it, and th !agon la4ing 'p and
do!n, (ind o+ p',hing and prodding at ', li( it had *om aro'nd and got $hind
',, la4y li(, li( it 2',t a, ,oon a, not !hn it mad 'p it, mind- Thr !a, a
,hoat *om $y, $lo!d 'p hi( a $alloon5 on o+ thm ,pottd ,hoat, o+ Lon
J'i*(.,- It $'mpd again,t th rop li( it !a, a iron $ar and $'mpd o++ and
!nt on, and- ', !at*hing that rop ,lanting do!n into th !atr- % !at*hd it-
Darl
Ca,h li, on hi, $a*( on th arth, hi, had rai,d on a rolld garmnt- Hi,
y, ar *lo,d, hi, +a* i, gray, hi, hair pla,trd in a ,mooth ,mar a*ro,,
hi, +orhad a, tho'gh don !ith, a paint $r',h- Hi, +a* appar, ,'n(n a
littl, 8,agging +rom th $ony ridg, o+ y ,o*(t,, no,, g'm,, a, tho'gh th
!tting had ,la*(d th +irmn,, !hi*h had hld th ,(in +'ll@ hi, tth, ,t in
pal g'm,, ar partd a littl a, i+ h had $n la'ghing 1'itly- H li, pol0
thin in hi, !t *loth,, a littl pool o+ /omit at hi, had and a thrad o+ it
r'nning +rom th *ornr o+ hi, mo'th and do!n hi, *h( !hr h *o'ldn.t t'rn
hi, had 1'i*( or +ar no'gh, 'ntil D!y Dll ,toop, and !ip, it a!ay !ith th
hm o+ hr dr,,-
)!l approa*h,- H ha, th plan- 8?rnon 2',t +o'nd th ,1'ar,8 h
,ay,- H loo(, do!n at Ca,h, dripping too- 8Aint h tal(d non yt>8
8H had hi, ,a! and hammr and *hal(0lin and r'l,8 I ,ay- 8I (no! that-8
)!l lay, th ,1'ar do!n- :a !at*h, him- 8Thy *ant $ +ar a!ay,8 pa
,ay,- .It all !nt togthr- %a, thr r a ,'*h mi,+ort'nat man-8
)!l do, not loo( at pa- 8Yo' $ttr *all ?ardaman $a*( hr,8 h ,ay,-
H loo(, at Ca,h- Thn h t'rn, and go, a!ay- 8Gt him to tal( ,oon a, h *an,8
h ,ay,, 8,o h *an tll ', !hat l, thr !a,-8
% rt'rn to th ri/r- Th !agon i, ha'ld *lar, th !hl, *ho*(d
L*ar+'lly5 ! all hlpd@ it i, a, tho'gh 'pon th ,ha$$y, +amiliar, inrt
,hap o+ th !agon thr lingrd ,omho!, latnt yt ,till immdiat, that
/ioln* !hi*h had ,lain th m'l, that dr! it not an ho'r ,in*M a$o/ th
dg o+ th +lood- In th !agon $d it li, pro+o'ndly, th long pal plan(,
h',hd a littl !ith !tting yt ,till yllo!, li( gold ,n thro'gh !atr,
,a/ +or t!o long m'ddy ,mar,- % pa,, it and go on to th $an(-
On nd o+ th rop i, mad +a,t to a tr- At th dg o+ th ,tram,
(n0dp, ?ardaman ,tand,, $nt +or!ard a littl, !at*hing ?rnon !ith rapt
a$,orption- H ha, ,toppd ylling and h i, !t to th armpit,- ?rnon i, at
th othr nd o+ th rop, ,ho'ldr0dp in th ri/r, loo(ing $a*( at ?ardaman,
8&'rthr $a*( than that,8 h ,ay,- 8Yo' git $a*( $y th tr and hold th rop
+or m, ,o it *ant ,lip-8
?ardaman $a*(, along th rop, to th tr, mo/ing $lindly, !at*hing
?rnon- %hn ! *om 'p h loo(, at ', on*, hi, y, ro'nd and a littl da4d-
Thn 3 loo(, at ?rnon again in that po,t'r o+ rapt alrtn,,-
8I got th hammr too,8 ?rnon ,ay,- 8Loo(, li( ! o'ght to don alrady
got that *hal(0lin- It o'ght to +loatd-8
8&loatd *lan a!ay,8 )!l ,ay,- 8% !ont gt it- % o'ght to +ind th
,a!, tho'gh-8
8I r*(on ,o,8 ?rnon ,ay,- H loo(, at th !atr- 8That *hal(0lin, too-
%hat l, did h ha/>8
8H aint tal(d yt,8 )!l ,ay,, ntring th !atr- H loo(, $a*( at m-
8Yo' go $a*( and gt him ro',d 'p to tal(,8 h ,ay,-
8:a., thr,8 I ,ay- I +ollo! )!l into th !atr, along th rop- It
+l, ali/ in my hand, $llid +aintly in a prolongd and r,onant ar*- ?rnon
i, !at*hing m-
8Yo' $ttr go,8 h ,ay,- 8Yo' $ttr $ thr-8
8Lt., , !hat l, ! *an gt $+or it !a,h, on do!n,8 I ,ay-
% hold to th rop, th *'rrnt *'rling and dimpling a$o't o'r ,ho'ldr,-
3't $nath that +al, $landn,, th tr' +or* o+ it lan, again,t ', la4ily- I
had not tho'ght that !atr in )'ly *o'ld $ ,o *old- It i, li( hand, molding
and prodding at th /ry $on,- ?rnon i, ,till loo(ing $a*( to!ard th $an(-
8;*(on it.ll hold ', all>8 h ,ay,- % too loo( $a*(, +ollo!ing th rigid
$ar o+ th rop a, it ri,, +rom th !atr to th tr and ?ardaman *ro'*hd a
littl $,id it, !at*hing ',- 8%i,h my m'l !o'ldn.t ,tri( o't +or hom-8
?rnon ,ay,-
8Com on,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Lt., gt o'tn hr-8
% ,'$mrg in t'rn, holding to th rop, 3ing *l't*hd $y on anothr
!hil th *old !all o+ th !atr ,'*(, th ,lanting m'd $a*(!ard and 'p,tram
+rom $nath o'r +t and ! ar ,',pndd ,o, groping along th *old $ottom-
=/n th m'd thr i, not ,till- It ha, a *hill, ,*o'ring 1'ality, a, tho'gh th
arth 'ndr ', !r in motion too- % to'*h and +'m$l at on anothr., 6tndd
arm,, ltting o'r,l/, go *a'tio',ly again,t th rop@ or, r*t in t'rn, !at*h
th !atr ,'*( and $oil !hr on o+ th othr t!o grop, $nath th ,'r+a*-
:a ha, *om do!n to th ,hor, !at*hing ',-
?rnon *om, 'p, ,traming, hi, +a* ,lopd do!n into hi, p'r,d $lo!ing
mo'th- Hi, mo'th i, $l'i,h, li( a *ir*l o+ !athrd r'$$r- H ha, th r'l-
8HAll $ glad o+ that,8 I ,ay- It., right n!- H $o'ght it 2',t la,t
month o't o+ th *atalog'-8
8I+ ! 2',t (no!d +or ,ho !hat l,,8 ?rnon ,ay,, loo(ing o/r hi,
,ho'ldr and thn t'rning to +a* !hr )!l had di,appard- 8Didn.t h go
do!n +or m>8 ?rnon ,ay,-
8I dont (no!,8 I ,ay- 8I thin( ,o- Y,- Y,, h did-8
% !at*h th thi*( *'rling ,'r+a*, ,traming a!ay +rom ', in ,lo! !horl,-
8Gi/ him a p'll on th rop,8 ?rnon ,ay,-
8H., on yo'r nd o+ it,8 I ,ay-
8Aint no$ody on my nd o+ it,8 h ,ay,-
8:'ll it in,8 I ,ay- 3't h ha, alrady don that, holding th nd a$o/
th !atr@ and thn ! , )!l- H i, tn yard, a!ay@ h *om, 'p, $lo!ing,
and loo(, at ',, to,,ing hi, long hair $a*( !ith a 2r( o+ hi, had, thn h
loo(, to!ard th $an(@ ! *an , him +illing hi, l'ng,-
8)!l,8 ?rnon ,ay,, not lo'd, $'t hi, /oi* going +'ll and *lar along
th !atr, prmptory yt ta*t+'l- 8It.ll $ $a*( hr- 3ttr *om $a*(-8
)!l di/, again- % ,tand thr, laning $a*( again,t th *'rrnt,
!at*hing th !atr !hr h di,appard, holding th dad rop $t!n ', li(
t!o mn holding th no44l o+ a +ir ho,, !aiting +or th !atr- S'ddnly D!y
Dll i, $hind ', in th !atr- 8Yo' ma( him *om $a*(,8 ,h ,ay,- 8)!lD8 ,h
,ay,- H *om, 'p again, to,,ing hi, hair $a*( +rom hi, y,- H i, ,!imming
no!, to!ard th $an(, th *'rrnt ,!ping him do!n,tram 1'artring- 8Yo',
)!lD8 D!y Dll ,ay,- % ,tand holding th rop and , him gain th $an( and
*lim$ o't- A, h ri,, +rom th !atr, h ,toop, and pi*(, 'p ,omthing- H
*om, $a*( along th $an(- H ha, +o'nd th *hal(0lin- H *om, oppo,it ', and
,tand, thr, loo(ing a$o't a, i+ h !r ,(ing ,omthing- :a go, on do!n th
$an(- H i, going $a*( to loo( at th m'l, again !hr thir ro'nd $odi, +loat
and r'$ 1'itly togthr in th ,la*( !atr !ithin th $nd-
8%hat did yo' do !ith th hammr, ?rnon>8 )!l ,ay,-
8I gi/ it to him,8 ?rnon ,ay,, 2r(ing hi, had at ?ardaman- ?ardaman i,
loo(ing a+tr pa- Thn h loo(, at )!l- 8%ith th ,1'ar-8 ?rnon i, !at*hing
)!l- H mo/, to!ard th $an(, pa,,ing D!y Dll and m-
8Yo' gt on o't o+ hr,8 I ,ay- Sh ,ay, nothing, loo(ing at )!l and
?rnon-
8%hr., th hammr>8 )!l ,ay,- ?ardaman ,*'ttl, tip th $an( and
+t*h, it-
8It., ha/ir than th ,a!,8 ?rnon ,ay,- )!l i, tying th nd o+ th
*hal(0lin a$o't th hammr ,ha+t-
8Hammr., got th mo,t !ood in it,8 )!l ,ay,- H and ?rnon +a* on
anothr, !at*hing )!l., hand,-
8And +lattr, too,8 ?rnon ,ay,- .It.d +loat thr to on, almo,t- Try th
plan-8
)!l loo(, at ?rnon- ?rnon i, tall, too@ long and lan, y to y thy
,tand in thir *lo, !t *loth,- Lon J'i*( *o'ld loo( /n at a *lo'dy ,(y and
tll th tim to tn min't,- 3ig Lon I man, not littl Lon-
8%hy dont yo' gt o't o+ th !atr>8 I ,ay-
8It !ont +loat li( a ,a!,8 )!l ,ay,-
8It.ll +loat nighr to a ,a! than a hammr !ill,8 ?rnon ,ay,-
83t yo',8 )!l ,ay,-
8I !ont $t,8 ?rnon ,ay,-
Thy ,tand thr, !at*hing )!l., ,till hand,-
8Hll,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Gt th plan, thn-8
So thy gt th plan and ti it to th *hal(0lin and ntr th !atr
again- :a *om, $a*( along th $an(- H ,top, +or a !hil and loo(, at ',,
h'n*hd, mo'rn+'l, li( a +ailing ,tr or an old tall $ird-
?rnon and )!l rt'rn, laning again,t th *'rrnt- 8Gt o't o+ th
!ay,8 )!l ,ay, to D!y Dll- 8Gt o't o+ th !atr-8
Sh *ro!d, again,t m a littl ,o thy *an pa,,, )!l holding th plan
high a, tho'gh it !r pri,ha$l, th $l' ,tring trailing $a*( o/r hi,
,ho'ldr- Thy pa,, ', and ,top@ thy +all to arg'ing 1'itly a$o't 2',t !hr
th !agon !nt o/r-
8Darl o'ght to (no!,8 ?rnon ,ay,- Thy loo( at m-
8I dont (no!,8 I ,ay,- 8I !a,n.t thr that long8
8Hll,8 )!l ,ay,- Thy mo/ on, gingrly, laning again,t th *'rrnt,
rading th +ord !ith thir +t-
8Ha/ yo' got a holt o+ th rop>8 ?rnon ,ay,- )!l do, not an,!r- H
glan*, $a*( at th ,hor, *al*'lant, thn at th !atr- H +ling, th plan
o't!ard, ltting th ,tring r'n thro'gh hi, +ingr,, hi, +ingr, t'rning $l'
!hr it r'n, o/r thm- %hn th lin ,top,, h hand, it $a*( to ?rnon-
83ttr lt m go thi, tim,8 ?rnon ,ay,- Again )!l do, not an,!r@ !
!at*h him d'*( $nath th ,'r+a*-
8)!l,8 D!y Dll !himpr,-
8It aint ,o dp thr,8 ?rnon ,ay,- H do, not loo( $a*(- H i,
!at*hing th !atr !hr )!l !nt 'ndr-
%hn )!l *om, 'p h ha, th ,a!-
%hn ! pa,, th !agon pa i, ,tanding $,id it@ ,*r'$$ing at th t!o m'd
,mar, !ith a hand+'l o+ la/,- Again,t th 2'ngl )!l., hor, loo(, li( a
pat*h!or( 1'ilt h'ng on a lin-
Ca,h ha, not mo/d- % ,tand a$o/ him, holding th plan, th ,a!, th
hammr, th ,1'ar, th r'l, th *hal(0lin, !hil D!y Dll ,1'at, and li+t,
Ca,h., had- 8Ca,h,8 ,h ,ay,@ 8Ca,h-8
H opn, hi, y,, ,taring pro+o'ndly 'p at o'r in/rtd +a*,-
8I+ /r !a, ,'*h a mi,+ort'nat man,8 pa ,ay,-
8Loo(, Ca,h,8 ! ,ay, holding th tool, 'p ,o h *an ,@ 8!hat l, did
yo' ha/>8
H tri, to ,pa(, rolling hi, had, ,h'tting hi, y,-
8Ca,h,8 ! ,ay@ 8Ca,h-8
It i, to /omit h i, t'rning hi, had- D!y Dll !ip, hi, mo'th on th
!t hm o+ hr dr,,@ thn h *an ,pa(-
8It., hi, ,a!0,t,8 )!l ,ay,- 8Th n! on h $o'ght !hn h $o'ght th
r'l-8 H mo/,, t'rning a!ay- ?rnon loo(, tip a+tr him, ,till ,1'atting- Thn
h ri,, and +ollo!, )!l do!n to th !atr-
8I+ /r !a, ,'*h a mi,+ort'nat man,8 pa ,ay,- H loom, tall a$o/ ', a,
! ,1'at@ h loo(, li( a +ig'r *ar/d *l'm,ily +rom to'gh !ood $y a dr'n(n
*ari*at'ri,t- 8It., a trial-8 h ,ay,- 83't I doat $gr'dg hr it- No man *an
,ay I $gr'dg hr it8 D!y Dll0ha, (id Ca,h., had $a*( on th +oldd *oat
t!i,ting hi, had a littl to a/oid th /omit 3,id him hi, tool, li- 8A
+llo! might *all +t l'*(y it !a, th ,am lg h $ro( !hn h +ll o++n that
*h'r*h,8 pa ,ay,- 83't I dont $gr'dg hr it-8
)!l and ?rnon ar in th ri/r again- &rom hr thy do not appar to
/iolat th ,'r+a* at all@ it i, a, tho'gh it had ,/rd thm $oth at a ,ingl
$lo!, th t!o tor,o, mo/ing !ith in+init,imal and l'di*ro', *ar 'pon th
,'r+a*- It loo(, pa*+'l, li( ma*hinry do, a+tr yo' ha/ !at*hd it and
li,tnd to it +or a long tim- A, tho'gh th *lotting !hi*h i, yo' had
di,,ol/d into th myriad original motion, and ,ing and haring in thm,l/,
$lind and da+@ +'ry in it,l+ 1'it !ith ,tagnation- S1'atting, D!y Dll.,
!t dr,, ,hap, +or th dad y, o+ thr $lind mn tho, mammalian
l'di*ro,iti, !hi*h ar th hori4on, and th /ally, o+ th arth-
Ca,h
It !a,n.t on a $alan*- I told thm that i+ thy !antd it to tot and rid on a
$alan*, thy !o'ld ha/ to
Cora
On day ! !r tal(ing- Sh had n/r $n p'r rligio',, not /n a+tr that
,'mmr at th *amp mting !hn 3rothr %hit+ild !r,tld !ith hr ,pirit,
,ingld hr o't and ,tro/ !ith th /anity in hr mortal hart, and I ,aid to
hr many a tim, 8God ga/ yo' *hildrn to *om+ort yo'r hard h'man lot and +or a
to(n o+ Hi, o!n ,'++ring and lo/, +or in lo/ yo' *on*i/d and $or thm-8 I
,aid that $*a', ,h too( God., lo/ and hr d'ty to Him too m'*h a, a mattr
o+ *o'r,, and ,'*h *ond'*t i, not pla,ing to Him- I ,aid, 8H ga/ ', th gi+t
to rai, o'r /oi*, in Hi, 'ndying prai,8 $*a', I ,aid thr i, mor
r2oi*ing in ha/n o/r on ,innr than o/r a h'ndrd that n/r ,innd- And
,h ,aid, 87y daily li+ i, an a*(no!ldgmnt and 6piation o+ my ,in8 and I
,aid 8%ho ar yo', to ,ay !hat i, ,in and !hat i, not ,in> It i, th Lord., part
to 2'dg@ o'r, to prai, Hi, mr*y and Hi, holy nam in th haring o+ o'r
+llo! mortal,8 $*a', H alon *an , into th hart, and 2',t $*a', a
!oman., 7 i, right in th ,ight o+ man, ,h *ant (no! i+ thr i, no ,in in hr
hart !itho't ,h opn, hr hart to th Lord and r*i/, Hi, gra*- I ,aid,
8)',t $*a', yo' ha/ $n a +aith+'l !i+ i, no ,ign that thr i, no ,in in
yo'r hart, and 2',t $*a', yo'r 7 i, hard i, no ,ign that th Lord., gra* i,
a$,ol/ing yo'-8 And ,h ,aid, 8I (no! my o!n ,in- I (no! that I d,r/ my
p'ni,hmnt- I do not $gr'dg it-8 And I ,aid, .It i, o't o+ yo'r /anity that
yo' !o'ld 2'dg ,in and ,al/ation in th Lord., pla*- It i, o'r mortal lot to
,'++r and to rai, o'r /oi*, in prai, o+ Him !ho 2'dg, th ,in and o++r,
th ,al/ation thro'gh o'r trial, and tri$'lation, tim o't o+ mind amn- Not
/n a+tr 3rothr %hit+ild, a godly man i+ /r on $rathd God., $rath,
prayd +or yo' and ,tro/ a, n/r a man *o'ld 6*pt him,8 I ,aid-
3*a', it i, not ', that *an 2'dg o'r ,in, or (no! !hat i, ,in in th
Lord., y,- Sh ha, had a hard 7, $'t ,o do, /ry !oman- 3't yo'.d thin(
+rom th !ay ,h tal(d that ,h (n! mor a$o't ,in and ,al/ation than th Lord
God Him,l+, than thm !ho ha/ ,tro/ and la$ord !ith th ,in in thi, h'man
!orld- %hn th only ,in ,h /r *ommittd !a, $ing partial to )!l that
n/r lo/d hr and !a, it, o!n p'ni,hmnt, in pr+rn* to Darl that !a,
to'*hd $y God Him,l+ and *on,idrd 1'r $y ', mortal, and that did lo/ hr-
I ,aid, 8Thr i, yo'r ,in- And yo'r p'ni,hmnt too- )!l i, yo'r p'ni,hmnt-
3't !hr i, yo'r ,al/ation> And li+ i, ,hort no'gh,8 I ,aid, 8to !in trnal
gra* in- And God i, a 2alo', God- It i, Hi, to 2'dg and to mt@ not yo'r,-8
8I (no!,8 ,h ,aid- I008 Thn ,h ,toppd, and I ,aid,
89no! !hat>8
8Nothing,8 ,h ,aid- H i, my *ro,, and h !ill $ my ,al/ation- H !ill
,a/ m +rom, th !atr and +rom th +ir- =/n tho'gh I ha/ laid do!n my li+,
h !ill ,a/ m-8
8Ho! do yo' (no!, !itho't yo' opn yo'r hart to Him and li+t yo'r /oi*
in Hi, prai,>8 I ,aid- Thn I rali,d that ,h did not man God- I rali,d
that o't o+ th /anity o+ hr hart ,h had ,po(n ,a*rilg- And I !nt do!n on
my (n, right thr- I $ggd hr to (nl and opn hr hart and *a,t +rom +t
th d/il o+ /anity and *a,t hr,l+ 'pon th mr*y o+ th Lord- 3't ,h
!o'ldn.t- Sh 2',t ,at thr, lo,t in hr /anity and hr prid, that had *lo,d
hr hart to God and ,t that ,l+i,h mortal $oy in Hi, pla*- 9nling thr I
prayd +or hr- I prayd +or that poor $lind !oman a, I had n/r prayd +or m
and min-
Addi
In th a+trnoon !hn ,*hool !a, o't and th la,t on had l+t !ith hi, littl
dirty ,n'++ling no,, in,tad o+ going hom I !o'ld go do!n th hill to th
,pring !hr I *o'ld $ 1'it and hat thm- It !o'ld h 1'it thr thn, !ith
th !atr $'$$ling 'p and a!ay and th ,'n ,lanting 1'it in th tr, and th
1'it ,mlling o+ damp and rotting la/, and n! arth@ ,p*ially in th arly
,pring, +or it !a, !or,t thn-
I *o'ld 2',t rmm$r ho! my +athr ',d to ,ay that th ra,on +or li/ing
!a, to gt rady to ,tay dad a long tim And !hn I !o'ld ha/ to loo( at thm
day a+tr day, 8a*h !ith hi, and hr ,*rt and ,l+i,h tho'ght, and $lood
,trang to a*h othr $lood and ,trang to min, and thin( that thi, ,md to
$ th only !ay I *o'ld gt rady to ,tay dad, I !o'ld hat my +athr +or
ha/ing /r plantd m- I !o'ld loo( +or!ard to th tim, !hn thy +a'ltd, ,o
I *o'ld !hip thm- %hn th ,!it*h +ll I *o'ld +l it 'pon my +l,h@ !hn it
!ltd and ridgd it !a, my $lood that ran, and I !o'ld thin( !ith a*h $lo! o+
th ,!it*h5 No! yo' ar a!ar o+ m No! I am ,omthing in yo'r ,*rt and
,l+i,h li+, !ho ha/ mar(d yo'r $lood !ith my o!n +or /r and /r-
And ,o I too( An,- I ,a! him pa,, th ,*hool ho', thr or +o'r tim,
$+or I larnd that h !a, dri/ing +o'r mil, o't o+ hi, !ay to do it- I
noti*d thn ho! h !a, $ginning to h'mp00a tall man and yo'ng 00,o that h
loo(d alrady li( a tall $ird h'n*hd in th *old !athr, on th !agon ,at
H !o'ld pa,, th ,*hool ho',, th !agon *ra(ing ,lo!, hi, had t'rning ,lo!
to !at*h th door o+ th ,*hool ho', a, th !agon pa,,d, 'ntil h !nt on
aro'nd th *'r/ and o't o+ ,ight- On day I !nt to th door and ,tood thr
!hn h pa,,d- %hn h ,a! m h loo(d 1'i*(ly a!ay and did not loo( $a*(
again-
In th arly ,pring it !a, !or,t- Somtim, I tho'ght that I *o'ld not
$ar it, lying in $d at night, !ith th !ild g, going north and thir
hon(ing *oming +aint and high and !ild o't o+ th !ild dar(n,,, and d'ring th
day it !o'ld ,m a, tho'gh I *o'ldn.t !ait +or th la,t on to go ,o I *o'ld go
do!n to th ,pring- And ,o !hn I loo(d 'p that day and ,a! An, ,tanding thr
in hi, S'nday *loth,, t'rning hi, hat ro'nd and ro'nd in hi, hand,, I ,aid5
8I+ yo'./ got any !omn+ol(,, !hy in th !orld dont thy ma( yo' gt
yo'r hair *'t>8
8I aint got non,8 h ,aid- Thn h ,aid ,'ddnly, dri/ing hi, y, at m
li( t!o ho'nd, in a ,trang yard5 8That., !hat I *om to , yo' a$o't,8
8And ma( yo' hold yo'r ,ho'ldr, 'p,8 I ,aid- 8Yo' ha/n.t got any> 3't
yo'./ got a ho',- Thy tll m yo'./ got a ho', and a good +arm- And yo'
li/ thr alon, doing +or yo'r,l+, do yo'>8 H 2',t loo(d at m, t'rning th
hat in hi, hand,- 8A n! ho',,8 I ,aid- 8Ar yo' going to gt marrid>8
And h ,aid again, holding hi, y, to min5 8That., !hat I *om to ,
yo' a$o't-8
Latr h told m, 8I aint got no popl- So that !ont $ no !orry to yo'-
I dont r*(on yo' *an ,ay th ,am-8
8No- I ha/ popl- In )++r,on-8
Hi, +a* +ll a littl- 8%ll, I got a littl proprty- I.m +orhandd@ I
got a good hon,t nam- I (no! ho! to!n +ol(, ar, $'t may$ !hn thy tal( to
m - - -8
8Thy might li,tn,8 I ,aid- 83't thy.ll $ hard to tal( to-8 H !a,
!at*hing my +a*- 8Thy.r in th *mtry-8
83't yo'r li/ing (in,8 h ,aid- 8Thy.ll $ di++rnt-8
8%ill thy>8 I ,aid- .I dont (no!- I n/r had any othr (ind-E
So I too( An,- And !hn I (n! that I had Ca,h, I (n! that li/ing !a,
trri$l and that thi, !a, th an,!r to it- That !a, !hn I larnd that !ord,
ar no good@ that !ord, dont /r +it /n !hat thy ar trying to ,ay at- %hn
h !a, $orn I (n! that mothrhood !a, in/ntd $y ,omon !ho had to ha/ a
!ord +or it $*a', th on, that had th *hildrn didn.t *ar !hthr thr !a,
a !ord +or it or not- I (n! that +ar !a, in/ntd $y ,omon that had n/r
had th +ar@ prid, !ho n/r had th prid- I (n! that it had $n, not that
thy had dirty no,,, $'t that ! had had to ', on anothr $y !ord, li(
,pidr, dangling $y thir mo'th, +rom a $am, ,!inging and t!i,ting and n/r
to'*hing, and that only thro'gh th $lo!, o+ di ,!it*h *o'ld my $lood and thir
$lood +lo! a, on ,tram- I (n! that it had- $n, not that my alonn,, had to
$ /iolatd o/r and o/r a*h day, $'t that it had n/r $n /iolatd 'ntil
Ca,h *am- Not /n $y An, in th night,-
H had a !ord, too- Lo/, h *alld it- 3't I had $n ',d to !ord, +or a
long tim- I (n! that that !ord !a, li( th othr,5 2',t a ,hap to +ill a
la*(@ that !hn th right tim Cam, yo' !o'ldn.t nd a !ord +or that anymor
than +or prid or +ar- Ca,h did not nd to ,ay it to m nor I to him, and I
!o'ld ,ay Lt An, ', it, i+ h !ant, to- So that it !a, An, or lo/@ lo/ or
An,5 it didn.t mattr-
I !o'ld thin( that /n !hil I lay !ith him in th dar( and Ca,h a,lp
in th *radl !ithin th ,!ing o+ my hand- I !o'ld thin( that i+ h !r to !a(
and *ry, I !o'ld ,'*(l him, too- An, or lo/5 it -didn.t mattr- 7y alonn,,
had $n /iolatd and thn mad !hol again $y th /iolation5 tim, An,, lo/,
!hat yo' !ill, o't,id th *ir*l-
Thn I +o'nd that I had Darl- At +ir,t I !o'ld not $li/ it- Thn I
$li/d that I !o'ld (ill An,- It !a, a, tho'gh h had tri*(d m, hiddn
!ithin a !ord li( !ithin a papr ,*rn and ,tr'*( m in th $a*( thro'gh it-
3't thn I rali,d that I had $n tri*(d $y !ord, oldr than An, or lo/,
and that th ,am !ord had tri*(d An, too, and that my r/ng !o'ld $ that
h !o'ld n/r (no! I !a, ta(ing r/ng- And !hn Darl !a, $orn I a,(d An, to
promi, to ta( m $a*( to )++r,on !hn I did, $*a', I (n! that +athr had
$n right, /n !hn h *o'ldn.t ha/ (no!n h !a, right anymor than I *o'ld
ha/ (no!n I !a, !rong-
8Non,n,,8 An, ,aid@ 8yo' and m aint nigh don *happing yt, !ith 2',t
t!o-8
H did not (no! that h !a, dad, thn- Somtim, I !o'ld li $y him in
th dar(, haring th land that !a, no! o+ my $lood and +l,h, and I !o'ld
thin(5 An,- %hy An,- %hy ar yo' An,- I !o'ld thin( a$o't hi, nam 'ntil
a+tr a !hil I *o'ld , th !ord a, a ,hap, a /,,l, and I !o'ld !at*h him
li1'+y and +lo! into it li( *old mola,,, +lo!ing o't o+ th dar(n,, into th
/,,l, 'ntil th 2ar ,tood +'ll and motionl,,5 a ,igni+i*ant ,hap pro+o'ndly
!itho't 7 li( an mpty door +ram@ and thn I !o'ld +ind that I had +orgottn
th nam o+ th 2ar- I !o'ld thin(5 Th ,hap o+ my $ody !hr I ',d to $ a
/irgin i, in th ,hap o+ a and I *o'ldn.t thin( *nse, *o'ldn.t rmm$r
An,- It !a, not that I *o'ld thin( o+ my,l+ a, no longr 'n/irgin, $*a', I
!a, thr no!- And !hn I !o'ld thin( 0ash and )arl that !ay 'ntil thir nam,
!o'ld di and ,olidi+y into a ,hap and thn +ad a!ay, I !o'ld ,ay, All right-
It do,n.t mattr- It do,n.t mattr !hat thy *all thm-
And ,o !hn Cora T'll !o'ld tll m I !a, not a tr' mothr, I !o'ld thin(
ho! !ord, go ,traight 'p in a thin, lin, 1'i*( and harml,,, and ho! trri$ly
doing go, along th arth, *linging to it, ,o that a+tr a !hil th t!o lin,
ar too +ar apart +or th ,am pr,on to ,traddl +rom on to th othr and that
,in and lo/ and +ar ar02',t ,o'nd, that popl !ho n/r ,innd nor lo/d nor
+ard ha/ +or !hat thy n/r had and *annot ha/ 'ntil thy +orgt th !ord,-
Li( Cora, !ho *o'ld n/r /n *oo(-
Sh !o'ld tll m !hat I o!d to my *hildrn and to An, and to God- I
ga/ An, th *hildrn- I did not a,( +or thm- I did not /n a,( him +or !hat
h *o'ld ha/ gi/n m5 not0An,- That !a, my d'ty to him, to not a,( that, and
that d'ty I +'l+illd- I !o'ld $ I@ I !o'ld lt him $ th ,hap and *ho o+
hi, !ord- That !a, mor than h a,(d, $*a', h *o'ld not ha/ a,(d +or that
and $n An,, ',ing him,l+ ,o !ith a !ord-
And thn h did- H did not (no! h !a, dad- I !o'ld li $y him in th
dar(, haring th dar( land tal(ing o+ Cod., lo/ and Hi, $a'ty and Hi, ,in@
haring th dar( /oi*l,,n,, in !hi*h th !ord, ar th dd,, and th othr
!ord, that ar not dd,, that ar 2',t th gap, in popl,. la*(,, *oming do!n
li( th *ri, o+ th g, o't o+ th !ild dar(n,, in th old trri$l night,,
+'m$ling at th dd, li( orphan, to !hom ar pointd o't in a *ro!d t!o +a*,
and told, That i, yo'r +athr, yo'r mothr-
I $li/d that I had +o'nd it- I $li/d that th ra,on !a, th d'ty to
th ali/, to th trri$l $lood, th rd $ittr +lood $oiling thro'gh th land-
I !o'ld thin( o+ ,in a, I !o'ld thin( o+ th *loth, ! $oth !or in th !orld.,
+a*, o+ th *ir*'m,p*tion n*,,ary $*a', h !a, h and I !a, I@ th ,in th
mor 'ttr and trri$l ,in* h !a, th in,tr'mnt ordaind $y God !ho *ratd
th ,in, to ,an*ti+y that ,in H had *ratd- %hil I !aitd +or him in th
!ood,, !aiting +or him $+or h ,a! m, I !o'ld thin( o+ him a, dr,,d in ,in-
I !o'ld thin( o+ him a, thin(ing o+ m a, dr,,d al,o in ,in, h th mor
$a'ti+'l ,in* th garmnt !hi*h h had 6*hangd +or ,in !a, ,an*ti+id- I
!o'ld thin( o+ th ,in a, garmnt, !hi*h ! !o'ld rmo/ in ordr to ,hap and
*or* th trri$l $lood to th +orlorn *ho o+ th dad !ord high in th air-
Thn I !o'ld lay !ith An, again00I did not li to him5 I 2',t r+',d, 2',t a,
I r+',d my $ra,t to Ca,h, and Darl a+tr thir tim !a, 'p00haring th dar(
land tal(ing th /oi*l,, ,p*h-
I hid nothing- I trid to d*i/ no on- I !o'ld not ha/ *ard- I mrly
too( th pr*a'tion, that h tho'ght n*,,ary +or hi, ,a(, not +or my ,a+ty,
$'t 2',t a, I !or *loth, in th !orld., +a*- And I !o'ld thin( thn !hn Cora
tal(d to m, o+ ho! th high dad !ord, in tim ,md to lo, /n th
,igni+i*an* o+ thir dad ,o'nd-
Thn it !a, o/r- O/r in th ,n, that h !a, gon and I (n! that, ,
him again tho'gh I !o'ld, I !o'ld n/r again , him *oming ,!i+t and ,*rt to
m in th !ood, dr,,d in ,in li( a gallant garmnt alrady $lo!ing a,id !ith
th ,pd o+ hi, ,*rt *oming-
3't +or m it !a, not o/r- I man, o/r in th ,n, o+ $ginning and
nding, $*a', to m thr !a, no $ginning nor nding to anything thn- I /n
hld An, r+raining ,till, not that I !a, holding him r*,,ional, $'t a,
tho'gh nothing l, had /r $n- 7y *hildrn !r o+ m alon, o+ th !ild
$lood $oiling along th arth, o+ m and o+ all that li/d@ o+ non and o+ all-
Thn I +o'nd that I had )!l- %hn I !a(d to rmm$r to di,*o/r it, h !a,
t!o month, gon-
7y +athr ,aid that th ra,on +or li/ing i, gtting rady to ,tay dad- I
(n! at la,t !hat h mant and that h *o'ld not ha/ (no!n !hat h mant
him,l+, $*a', a man *annot (no! anything a$o't *laning 'p th ho',
a+tr!ard- And ,o I ha/ *land my ho',- %ith )!l00I lay $y th lamp,
holding 'p my o!n had, !at*hing him *ap and ,'t'r it $+or h $rathd00th
!ild $lood $oild a!ay and th ,o'nd o+ it *a,d- Thn thr !a, only th mil(,
!arm and *alm, and I lying *alm in th ,lo! ,iln*, gtting rady to *lan my
ho',-
I ga/ An, D!y Dll to ngati/ )!l- Thn I ga/ him ?ardaman to
rpla* th *hild I had ro$$d him o+- And no! h ha, thr *hildrn that ar
hi, and not min- And thn I *o'ld gt rady to di-
On day I !a, tal(ing to Cora- Sh prayd +or m $*a', ,h $li/d I
!a, $lind to ,in, !anting m to (nl and pray too, $*a', popl to !hom ,in
i, 2',t a mattr o+ !ord,, to thm ,al/ation i, 2',t !ord, too-
%hit+ild
%hn thy told m ,h !a, dying, all that night I !r,tld !ith Satan, and I
mrgd /i*torio',- I !o( to th normity o+ my ,in@ I ,a! th tr' light at
la,t, and I +ll on my (n, and *on+,,d to God and a,(d Hi, g'idan* and
r*i/d it- 8;i,,8 H ,aid@ 8rpair to that hom in !hi*h yo' ha/ p't a
li/ing li, among tho, popl !ith !hom yo' ha/ o'tragd 7y %ord@ *on+,, yo'r
,in alo'd- It i, +or thm, +or that d*i/d h',$and, to +orgi/ yo'5 not I-8
So I !nt- I hard that T'll., $ridg !a, gon@ I ,aid 8Than(,, O Lord, O 7ighty
;'lr o+ all8@ +or $y tho, dangr, and di++i*'lti, !hi*h I ,ho'ld ha/ to
,'rmo'nt I ,a! that H had not a$andond m@ that my r*ption again into Hi,
holy pa* and lo/ !o'ld $ th ,!tr +or it- 8)',t lt m not pri,h $+or
I ha/ $ggd th +orgi/n,, o+ th man !hom I $trayd,8 I prayd@ 8lt m not
$ too lat@ lt not th tal o+ min and hr tran,gr,,ion *om +rom hr lip,
in,tad o+ min- Sh had ,!orn thn that ,h !o'ld n/r tll it, $'t trnity
i, a +ar,om thing to +a*5 ha/ I not !r,tld thigh to thigh !ith Satan
my,l+> lt m not ha/ al,o th ,in o+ hr $ro(n /o! 'pon my ,o'l- Lt not th
!atr, o+ Thy 7ighty %rath n*ompa,, m 'ntil I ha/ *lan,d my ,o'l in th
pr,n* o+ thm !hom I in2'rd-8
It !a, Hi, hand that $or m ,a+ly a$o/ th +lood, that +ndd +rom m0
th dangr, o+ th !atr,- 7y hor, !a, +rightnd, and my o!n hart +aild m
a, th log, and th 'prootd tr, $or do!n 'pon my littln,,- 3't not my
,o'l5 tim a+tr tim I ,a! thm a/rtd at d,tr'*tion., +inal in,tant, and I
li+td my /oi* a$o/ th noi, o+ th +lood5 8:rai, to Th, O 7ighty Lord and
9ing- 3y thi, to(n ,hall I *lan, my ,o'l and gain again into th +old o+ Thy
'ndying lo/-8
I (n! thn that +orgi/n,, !a, min- Th +lood, th dangr, $hind, and
a, I rod on a*ro,, th +irm arth again and th ,*n o+ my Gth,man dr!
*lo,r and *lo,r, I +ramd th !ord, !hi*h I ,ho'ld ',- I !o'ld ntr th
ho',@ I !o'ld ,top hr $+or ,h had ,po(n@ I !o'ld ,ay to hr h',$and5
8An,, I ha/ ,innd- Do !ith m a, yo' !ill-8
It !a, alrady a, tho'gh it !r don- 7y ,o'l +lt +rr, 1'itr than it
had in yar,@ alrady I ,md to d!ll in a$iding pa* again a, I rod on- To
ithr ,id I ,a! Hi, hand@ in my hart I *o'ld har Hi, /oi*5 8Co'rag- I am
!ith th-8
Thn I ra*hd T'll., ho',- Hi, yo'ng,t girl *am o't and *alld to m
a, I !a, pa,,ing- Sh told m that ,h !a, alrady dad-
8I ha/ ,innd, O Lord- Tho' (no!,t th 6tnt o+ my rmor, and th !ill
o+ my ,pirit- 3't H i, mr*i+'l@ H !ill a**pt th !ill +or th dd, %ho (n!
that !hn I +ramd th !ord, o+ my *on+,,ion it !a, to An, I ,po( thm, /n
tho'gh h !a, not thr- It !a, H in Hi, in+init !i,dom that r,traind th
tal +rom hr dying lip, a, ,h lay ,'rro'ndd $y tho, !ho lo/d and tr',td
hr@ min th tra/ail $y !atr !hi*h I ,',taind $y th ,trngth o+ Hi, hand-
:rai, to Th in Thy $o'nto', and omnipotnt lo/@ O prai,-
I ntrd th ho', o+ $ra/mnt, th lo!ly d!lling !hr anothr
rring mortal lay !hil hr ,o'l +a*d th a!+'l and irr/o*a$l 2'dgmnt, pa*
to hr a,h,-
8God., gra* 'pon thi, ho',,8 I ,aid-
Darl
On the horse he rode 'p to Arm,tid., and came back on the horse, lading
Arrn,tid., tam- % hit*hd 'p and laid Ca,h on top o+ Addi- %hn ! laid him
do!n h /omitd again, $'t h got hi, had o/r th !agon $d in tim-
8H ta(n a li*( in th ,toma*h, too,8 ?rnon ,aid-
8Th hor, may ha/ (i*(d him in th ,toma*h too,8 I ,aid- 8Did h (i*(
yo' in th ,toma*h, Ca,h>8
H trid to ,ay ,omthing- D!y Dll !ipd hi, mo'th again-
8%hat., h ,ay>8 ?rnon ,aid-
8%hat i, it, Ca,h>8 D!y Dll ,aid- Sh land do!n- 8Hi, tool,,8 ,h
,aid- ?rnon got thm and p't thm into th !agon- D!y Dll li+td Ca,h., had
,o h *o'ld ,- % dro/ on, D!y Dll and I ,itting $,id Ca,h to ,tady him
and he riding on ahead on the horse. ?rnon ,tood !at*hing ', +or a !hil- Thn
h t'rnd and !nt $a*( to!ard th $ridg- H !al(d gingrly, $ginning to
+lap, th !t ,l/, o+ hi, ,hirt a, tho'gh h had 2',t got !t-
-e was sitting the horse before the gate. Arm,tid !a, !aiting at th gat-
% ,toppd and he got down and ! li+td Ca,h do!n and *arrid him into th
ho',, !hr 7r, Arm,tid had th $d rady- % l+t hr and D!y Dll
'ndr,,ing him-
% +ollo!d pa o't to th !agon- H !nt $a*( and got into th !agon and
dro/ on, ! +ollo!ing on +oot, into th lot- Th !tting had hlpd, $*a',
Arm,tid ,aid, 8Yo'.r !l*om to th ho',- Yo' *an p't it thr-8 -e followed,
leading the horse, and stood beside the wagon, the reins in his hand.
8I than( yo',8 pa ,aid- 8%.ll ', in th ,hd yondr- I (no! it., a
impo,ition on yo'-8
8Yo'.r !l*om to th ho',,8 Arm,tid ,aid- -e had that wooden look on
his face again; that bold, surly, high-colored rigid look like his face and
eyes were two colors of wood, the wrong one pale and the wrong one dark. -is
shirt was beginning to dry, but it still clung close upon him when he moved.
8Sh !o'ld appr*iat it,8 pa ,aid-
% too( th tam o't and rolld th !agon $ad 'ndr th ,hd- On ,id o+
th ,hd !a, opn-
BIt !ont rain 'ndr,8 Arm,tid ,aid- 83't i+ yo'.d rathr - - -8
3a*( o+ th $arn !a, ,om r',td ,ht, o+ tin roo+ing- % too( t!o o+
thm and proppd thm again,t th opn ,id-
8Yo'.r !l*om to th ho',,8 Arm,tid ,aid-
8I than( yo',8 pa ,aid- 8I.d ta( it right (ind i+ yo'.d gi/ thm a
littl ,na*(-8
8Sho,8 Arm,tid ,aid- 8%.ll ha/ ,'ppr rady ,oon a, ,h gt, Ca,h
*om+orta$l-8 -e had gone back to the horse and he took taking the saddle off,
his damp shirt lapping flat to him when he moved.
:a !o'ldn.t *om in th ho',- 8Com in and at,8 Arm,tid ,aid- BIt., nigh
rady-8
8I !o'ldn.t *ra/ nothing,8 pa ,aid- BI than( yo'-8
8Yo' *om in and dry and at,8 Arm,tid ,aid- 8It.ll $ all right hr-8
BIt., +or hr,8 pa ,aid- 8It., +or hr ,a( I am ta(ing th +ood- I got no
tam, no nothing- 3't ,h !ill $ grat+'l to r a on o+ yo'-8
8Sho,8 Arm,tid ,aid- 8Yo' +ol(, *om in and dry-8
3't a+tr Arm,tid ga/ pa a drin(, h +lt $ttr, and !hn ! !nt in to
, a$o't Ca,h he hadnt come in with us. /hen I looked back he was leading the
horse into the barn h !a, alrady tal(ing a$o't gtting anothr tam, and $y
,'ppr tim h had good a, $o'ght it- -e is down there in the barn, sliding
fluidly past the gaudy lunging swirl, into the stall with it. -e climbs onto
the manger and drags the hay down and leaves the stall and seeks and finds the
currycomb. Then he returns and slips 5uickly past the single crashing thump and
up against the horse, where it cannot overreach. -e applies the curry-comb,
holding himself within the horses striking radius with the agility of an
acrobat, cursing the horse in a whisper of obscene caress. Its head flashes
back, tooth-cropped; its eyes roll in the dusk like marbles on a gaudy velvet
cloth as he strikes it upon the face with the back of the curry-comb.
Arm,tid
3't tim I gi/ him anothr ,'p o+ !hi,(y and ,'ppr !a, a$o't rady, h had
don alrady $o'ght a tam +rom ,om$ody, on a *rdit- :i*(ing and *hoo,ing h
!r $y thn, ,aying ho! h didn.t ni* thi, ,pan and !o'ldn.t p't hi, mony in
nothing ,o0and0,o o!nd, not /n a hn *oop-
8Yo' might try Snop,,8 I ,aid- 8H., got thr0+o'r ,pan- 7ay$ on o+
thm !o'ld ,'it yo'-8
Thn h $g'n to m'm$l hi, mo'th, loo(ing at m ni* it !a, m that o!nd
th only ,pan o+ m'l, in th *o'nty and !o'ldn.t ,ll thm to him, !hn I (n!
that li( a, not it !o'ld $ my tam that !o'ld /r gt thm o't o+ th lot at
all- Only I dont (no! !hat thy !o'ld do !ith thm, i+ thy had a tam-
Littl2ohn had told m that th l/ thro'gh Haly $ottom had don gon +or
t!o mil, and that th only !ay to gt to )++r,on !o'ld $ to go aro'nd $y
7ott,on- 3't that !a, An,., $',in,,-
8H., a *lo, man to trad !ith,8 h ,ay,, m'm$ling hi, mo'th- 3't !hn I
gi/ him anothr ,'p a+tr ,'ppr, h *hrd 'p ,om- H !a, aiming to go $a*(
to th $arn and ,t 'p !ith hr- 7ay$ h tho'ght that i+ h )',t ,tayd do!n
thr rady to ta( o't Santa Cla', !o'ld may$ $ring him a ,pan o+ m'l,- 83't
I r*(on I *an tal( him aro'nd,8 h ,ay,- 8A manAll al!ay, hlp a +llo! in a
tight, i+ h., got r a drop o+ Chri,tian $lood in him-E
8O+ *o'r, yo'.r !l*om to th ', o+ min,8 I ,aid, m (no!ing ho! m'*h
h $li/d that !a, th ra,on-
8I than( yo',8 h ,aid- 8ShAll !ant to go in o'rn,8 and him (no!ing ho!
m'*h I $li/d that !a, th ra,on-
A+tr ,'ppr )!l rod o/r to th 3nd to gt :a$ody- I hard h !a, to
$ thr today at ?arnr.,- )!l *om $a*( a$o't midnight- :a$ody had gon
do!n $lo! In/rn,, ,om!hr, $'t <n*l 3illy *om $a*( !ith him, !ith hi,
,at*hl o+ hor, phy,i*- Li( h ,ay,, a man aint ,o di++rnt +rom a hor, or a
m'l, *om long *om ,hort, 6*pt a m'l or a hor, ha, got a littl mor
,n,- 8%hat yo' $n Into no!, $oy>8 h ,ay,, loo(ing at Ca,h- 8Gt m a
mattr,, and a *hair and a gla,, o+ !hi,(y,8 h ,ay,-
H mad Ca,h drin( th !hi,(y, thn h r'n An, o't o+ th room- 8L'*(y it
!a, th ,am lg h $ro( la,t ,'mmr,8 An, ,ay,, mo'rn+'l, m'm$ling and
$lin(ing- 8That., ,omthing-8
% +oldd th mattr,, a*ro,, Ca,h., lg, and ,t th *hair on th
mattr,, and m and )!l ,t on th *hair and th gal hld th lamp and <n*l
3illy ta(n a *h! o+ to$a**o and !nt to !or(- Ca,h +o'ght prtty hard +or a
!hil, 'ntil h +aintd- Thn h laid ,till, !ith $ig $all, o+ ,!at ,tanding on
hi, +a* li( thy had ,tartd to roll do!n and thn ,toppd to !ait +or him-
%hn h !a(d 'p, <n*l 3illy had don pa*(d 'p and l+t- H (pt on
trying to ,ay ,omthing 'ntil th gal land do!n and !ipd hi, mo'th- 8It., hi,
tool,,8 ,h ,aid-
8I $ro'ght thm in,8 Darl ,aid- 8I got thm-8
H trid to tal( again@ ,h land do!n- 8H !ant, to , thm,8 ,h ,aid-
So Darl $ro'ght thm in !hr h *o'ld , thm- Thy ,ho/d thm 'ndr th ,id
o+ th $d, !hr h *o'ld ra*h hi, hand and to'*h thm !hn h +lt $ttr-
N6t morning An, ta(n that hor, and rod o/r to th 3nd to , Snop,- Him
and )!l ,tood in th lot tal(ing a !hil, thn An, got on th hor, and rod
o++- I r*(on that !a, th +ir,t tim )!l /r lt any$ody rid that hor,,
and 'ntil An, *om $a*( h h'ng aro'nd in that ,!ol0'p !ay, !at*hing th road
li( h !a, hal+ a mind to ta( o't a+tr An, and gt th hor, $a*(-
Along to!ard nin o*lo*( it $g'n to gt hot- That !a, !hn I , th
+ir,t $'44ard- 3*a', o+ th !tting, I r*(on- Any!ay it !a,n.t 'ntil !ll
into th day that I , thm- L'*(y th $r4 !a, 0,tting a!ay +rom th ho',,
,o it !a,n.t 'ntil !ll into th morning- 3't ,oon a, I , thm it !a, li( I
*o'ld ,mll it in th +ild a mil a!ay +rom 2',t !at*hing thm, and thm
*ir*ling and *ir*ling +or /ry$ody in th *o'nty to , !hat !a, in my $arn-
I !a, ,till a good hal+ a mil +rom th ho', !hn I hard that $oy
ylling- I tho'ght may$ h might ha/ +ll into th !ll or ,omthing, ,o I
!hippd 'p and *om into th lot on th lop-
Thr m',t ha/ $n a do4n o+ thm ,tting along th ridg0pol o+ th
$am, and that $oy !a, *ha,ing anothr on aro'nd th lot li( it !a, a t'r(y
and it 2',t li+ting no'gh to dodg him and go +lopping $ad to th roo+ o+ th
,hd again !hr h had +o'nd it ,tting on th *o++in- It had got hot thn,
right, and th $r4 had droppd or *hangd or ,omthing, ,o I !nt and +o'nd
)!l, $'t L'la *om o't-
8Yo' got to do ,omthing,8. ,h ,aid- 8It., a o'trag-8
8That., !hat I aim to do,8 I ,aid-
8It., a o'trag,8 ,h ,aid- 8H ,ho'ld $ la!d +or trating hr ,o-8
8H., gtting hr into th gro'nd th $,t h *an,8 I ,aid- So I +o'nd
)!l and a,(d him i+ h didn.t !ant to ta( on o+ th m'l, and go o/r to
th 3nd and , a$o't An,- H didn.t ,ay nothing- H 2',t loo(d at m !ith
hi, 2a!, going $on0!hit and thm $on0!hit y, o+ hi,n, thn h !nt and
$g'n to *all Darl-
8%hat yo' +i6ing to do>8 I ,aid-
H didn.t an,!r- Darl *om o't- 8Com on,8 )!l ,aid-
8%hat yo' aim to do>8 Darl ,aid-
8Going to mo/ th !agon,8 )!l ,aid o/r hi, ,ho'ldr-
8Dont $ a +ool,8 I ,aid- 8I n/r mant nothing- Yo' *o'ldn.t hlp it-8
And Darl h'ng $a*( too $'t nothing !o'lddn.t ,'it )!l-
8Sh't yo'r goddamn mo'th,8 h ,ay,-
8It., got to $ ,om!hr,8 Darl ,aid- 8%All ta( o't ,oon a, pa gt,
$a*(-8
8Yo' !ont hlp m>8 )!l ,ay,, thm !hit y, o+ hi,n (ind o+ $laring
and hi, +a* ,ha(ing li( h had a ag'r-
8No,8 Darl ,aid- 8I !ont- %ait till pa gt, $a*(-8
So I ,tood in th door and !at*hd him p',h and p'll at that !agon- It !a,
on a do!nhill, and on* I tho'ght h !a, +i6ing to $at o't th $a*( nd o+ th
,hd- Thn, th dinnr $ll r'ng- I *alld him, $'t h didn.t loo( aro'nd- 8Com
on to dinnr,8 I ,aid- .Tll that $oy-8 3't h didn.t an,!r, ,o I !nt on to
dinnr- Th gal !nt do!n to gt that $oy, $'t ,h *om $a*( !itho't him- A$o't
hal+ thro'gh dinnr ! hard him ylling again, r'nning that $'44ard o't-
BIt., a o'trag,8 L'la ,aid@ 8a o'trag-8
8H., doing th $,t h *an,8 I ,aid- 8A +llo! dont trad !ith Snop, in
thirty min't,- Thy.ll ,t in di ,had all a+trnoon to di*(r-8
8Do>8 ,h ,ay,- 8Do> H., don too m'*h, alrady-8
And I r*(on h had- Tro'$l i,, hi, 1'itting !a, )',t a$o't to ,tart o'r
doing- H *o'ldn.t $'y no tam +rom no$ody, lt alon Snop,, !itho'tn h had
,omthing to mortgag h didn.t (no! !o'ld mortgag yt- And ,o !hn I !nt $a*(
to th +ild I loo(d at my m'l, and ,am a, told thm good$y +or a ,pll And
!hn I *om $a*( that /ning and th ,'n ,hining all day on that ,hd, I !a,n.t
,o ,ho I !o'ld rgrt it-
H *om riding 'p 2',t a, I !nt o't to th por*h, !hr thy all !a,- H
loo(d (ind o+ +'nny5 (ind o+ mor hang0dog than *ommon, and (ind o+ pro'd too-
Li( h had don ,omthing h tho'ght !a, *'t $'t !a,n.t ,o ,ho no! ho! othr
+ol(, !o'ld ta( it-
8I got a tam,8 h ,aid-
8Yo' $o'ght a tam +rom Snop,>8 I ,aid-
8I r*(on Snop, aint th only man in thi, *o'ntry that *an dri/ a
trad,8 h ,aid-
8Sho,8 I ,aid- H !a, loo(ing at )!l, !ith that +'nny loo(, $'t )!l
had don got do!n +rom th por*h and !a, going to!ard th hor,- To , !hat
An, had don to it, I r*(on-
8)!l,8 An, ,ay,- )!l loo(d $a*(- 8Com hr,8 An, ,ay,- )!l *om
$a*( a littl and ,toppd again,
8%hat yo' !ant>8 h ,aid-
8So yo' got a tam +rom Snop,,8 I ,aid- 8HAll ,nd thm o/r tonight, I
r*(on> Yo'.ll !ant a arly ,tart tomorro!, long a, yo'.ll ha/ to go $y
7ott,on-8
Thn h 1'it loo(ing li( h had $n +or a !hil- H got that $adgrd
loo( li( h ',d to ha/, m'm$ling hi, mo'th-
8I do th $,t I *an,8 h ,aid- 8&or God, i+ thr !r r a man in th
li/ing !orld ,'++rd th trial, and +lo'ting, I ha/ ,'++rd-8
8A +llo! that 2',t $at Snop, in a trad o'ght to +l prtty good,8 I
,aid- 8%hat did yo' gi/ him, An,>8
H didn.t loo( at m- 8I gi/ a *hattl mortgag on my *'lti/ator and
,dr,8 h ,aid-
83't thy aint !orth +orty dollar,- Ho! +ar do yo' aim to gt !ith a +orty
dollar tam>8
Thy !r all !at*hing him no!, 1'it and ,tady- )!l !a, ,toppd,
hal+!ay $a*(, !aiting to go on to th hor,- 8I gi/ othr thing,,8 An, ,aid-
H $g'n to m'm$l hi, mo'th again, ,tanding thr li( h !a, !aiting +or
,om$ody to hit him and him !ith hi, mind alrady mad 'p not to do nothing
a$o't it-
8%hat othr thing,>8 Darl ,aid-
8Hll,8 I ,aid- 8Yo' ta( my tam- Yo' *an $ring thm $a*(- Ill gt along
,om!ay-8
8So that, !hat yo' !r doing in Ca,h., *loth, la,t night,8 Darl ,aid- H
,aid it 2',t li( h !a, rading it o'tn th papr- Li( h n/r gi/ a d'rn
him,l+ on !ay or th othr- )!l had *om $a*( no!, ,tanding thr, loo(ing
at An, !ith thm mar$l y, o+ hi,n- 8Ca,h aimd to $'y that tal(ing ma*hin
+rom S'ratt !ith that mony,8 Darl ,aid-
An, ,tood thr, m'm$ling hi, mo'th- )!l !at*hd him- H aint n/r
$lin(d yt-
83't that., 2',t ight dollar, mor,8 Darl ,aid, in that /oi* li( h !a,
2',t li,tning and n/r gi/ a d'rn him,l+- 8That ,till !ont $'y a tam-8
An, loo(d at )!l, 1'i*(, (ind o+ ,liding hi, y, that !ay, thn h
loo(d do!n again- 8God (no!,, i+ thr !r r a man,8 h ,ay,- Still thy
didn.t ,ay nothing- Thy 2',t !at*hd him, !aiting, and hir ,liding hi, y,
to!ard thir +t and 'p thir lg, $'t no highr- 8And th hor,,8 h ,ay,-
8%hat hor,>8 )!l ,aid- An, 2',t ,tood thr- I $ d'rn, i+ a man *ant
(p th 'ppr hand o+ hi, ,on,, h o'ght to r'n thm a!ay +rom hom, no mattr
ho! $ig thy ar- And i+ h *ant do that, I $ d'rn i+ h o'ghtn.t to la/
him,l+- I $ d'rn i+ I !o'ldn.t- 8Yo' man, yo' trid to ,!ap my hor,>8 )!l
,ay,-
An, ,tand, thr, dangl0armd- 8&or +i+tn yar, I aint had a tooth in
my had,8 h ,ay,- 8God (no!, it- H (no!, in +i+tn yar, I aint t th
/i*t'al, H aimd +or man to at to (p hi, ,trngth 'p, and m ,a/ing a ni*(l
hr and a ni*(l thr ,o my +amily !o'ldn.t ,'++r it to $'y thm tth ,o I
*o'ld at God., appointd +ood- I gi/ that mony- I tho'ght that i+ I *o'ld do
!itho't ating, my ,on, *o'ld do !itho't riding- God (no!, I did-8
)!l ,tand, !ith hi, hand, on hi, hip,, loo(ing at An,- Thn h loo(,
a!ay- H loo(d o't a*ro,, th +ild, hi, +a* ,till a, a rod, li( it !a,
,om$ody l, tal(ing a$o't ,om$ody l,., hor, and him not /n li,tning-
Thn h ,pit@ ,lo!, and ,aid 8Hll8 and h t'rnd and !nt on to th gat and
'nhit*hd th hor, and got on it- It !a, mo/ing !hn h *om into th ,addl
and $y th tim h !a, on it thy !a, taring do!n th road li( th La! might
ha/ $n $hind thm- Thy !nt o't o+ ,ight that !ay, th t!o o+ thm loo(ing
li( ,om (ind o+ a ,pottd *y*lon-
8%ll,8 I ,ay,- 8Yo' ta( my tam,8 I ,aid- 3't h !o'ldn.t do it And thy
!o'ldn.t /n ,tay, and that $oy *ha,ing thm $'44ard, all day in th hot ,'n
'ntil h !a, nigh a, *ra4y a, th r,t o+ thm- 8La/ Ca,h hr, any!ay,8 I
,aid- 3't thy !o'ldn.t do that- Thy mad a pallt +or him !ith 1'ilt, on top
o+ th *o++in and laid him on it and ,t hi, tool, $y him, and ! p't my tam in
and ha'ld th !agon a$o't a mil do!n th road-
BI+ !All $othr yo' hr,8 An, ,ay,, 82',t ,ay ,o-8
8Sho,8 I ,aid- 8It.ll $ +in hr- Sa+, too- No! lt., go $a*( and at
,'ppr-8
8I than( yo',8 An, ,aid- 8% got a littl ,omthing in th $a,(t- % *an
ma( o't-8
8%hr.d yo' gt it>8 I ,aid-
8% $ro'ght it +rom hom-8
83't it.ll $ ,tal no!,8 I ,aid- 8Com and gt ,om hot /i*t'al,-8
3't thy !o'ldn.t *om- BI r*(on ! *an ma( o't,8 An, ,aid- So I !nt
hom and t and ta(n a $a,(t $a*( to thm and trid again to ma( thm *om
$a*( to th ho',-
8I than( yo',8 h ,aid- 8I r*(on ! *an ma( o't-8 So I l+t thm thr,
,1'atting aro'nd a littl +ir, !aiting@ God (no!, !hat +or-
I *om on hom- I (pt thin(ing a$o't thm thr, and a$o't that +llo!
taring a!ay on that hor,- And that !o'ld $ th la,t thy !o'ld , o+ him-
And I $ d'rn i+ I *o'ld $lam him- Not +or !anting to not gi/ 'p hi, hor,,
$'t +or gtting ,h't o+ ,'*h a d'rn +ool a, An,-
Or that., !hat I tho'ght thn- 3*a', $ d'rn i+ thr aint ,omthing
a$o't a d'rn +llo! li( An, that ,m, to ma( a man ha/ to hlp him, /n
!hn h (no!, hll $ !anting to (i*( him,l+ n6t min't- 3*a', a$o't a ho'r
a+tr $ra(+a,t n6t morning =',ta* Grimm that !or(, Snop, pla* *om 'p !ith
a ,pan o+ m'l,, h'nting An,-
8I tho'ght him and An, n/r tradd,8 I ,aid-
8Sho,8 =',ta* ,aid- 8All thy li(d !a, th hor,- Li( I ,aid to 7r
Snop,, h !a, ltting thi, tam go +or +i+ty dollar,, $*a', i+ hi, 'n*l &lm
had a 2',t (pt thm T6a, hor,, !hn h o!nd thm, An, !o'ldn.t a n/r008
8Th hor,>8 I ,aid- 8An,., $oy ta(n that hor, and *lard o't la,t
night, pro$a$ly hal+!ay to T6a, $y no!, and An,NB
BI didn.t (no! !ho $r'ng it,8 =',ta* ,aid- 8I n/r , thm- I 2',t
+o'nd th hor, in th $arn thi, morning !hn I !nt to +d, and I told 7r
Snop, and h ,aid to $ring th tam on o/r hr-8
%ll, that.ll $ th la,t thy.ll /r , o+ him no!, ,ho no'gh- Com
Chri,tma, tim thy.ll may$ gt a po,tal 0*ard +rom nim in T6a,, I r*(on- And
i+ it hadn.t a $n )!l, I r*(on it.d a $n m@ I o! him that m'*h, my,l+-
I $ d'rn i+ An, dont *on2'r a man, ,om !ay- I $ d'rn i+ h aint a ,ight-
?ardaman
No! thr ar ,/n o+ thm, in littl tall $la*( *ir*l,-
8Loo(, Darl,8 I ,ay@ 8,>8
H loo(, 'p- % !at*h thm in littl tall $la*( *ir*l, o+ not0mo/ing-
8Y,trday thr !r 2',t +o'r,8 I ,ay-
Thr !r mor than +o'r on th $arn-
8Do yo' (no! !hat I !o'ld do i+ h tri, to light on th !agon again>8 I
,ay-
8%hat !o'ld yo' do>8 Darl ,ay,-
BI !o'ldn.t lt him light on hr,8 I ,ay- 8I !o'ldn.t lt him light on
Ca,h, ithr-8
Ca,h i, ,i*(- H i, ,i*( on th $o6- 3't my mothr i, a +i,h-
8% got to gt ,om mdi*in in 7ott,on,8 pa ,ay,- 8I r*(on !ll 2',t
ha/ to-8
8Ho! do yo' +l, Ca,h>8 Darl ,ay,-
8It dont $othr non,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8Do yo' !ant it proppd a littl highr>8 Darl ,ay,-
Ca,h ha, a $ro(n lg- H ha, had t!o $ro(n lg,- H li, on th $o6 !ith
a 1'ilt rolld 'ndr hi, had and a pi* o+ !ood 'ndr hi, (n-
8I r*(on ! o'ght to l+t him at Arm,tidA,,E pa ,ay,-
I ha/n.t got a $ro(n lg and pa ha,n.t and Darl ha,n.t and 8It., 2',t
th $'mp,,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8It (ind o+ grind, togthr a littl on a $'mp- It dont
$othr non-8 )!l has gone away. -e and his horse went away one supper time
8It., $*a', ,h !o'ldn.t ha/ ', $holdn,8 pa ,ay,- 8&or God, I do th
$,t that r a man8 Is it because Jewel,s mother is a horse )arl. I said.
87ay$ I *an dra! th rop, a littl tightr,8 Darl ,ay,- Thats why
Jewel and I were both in the shed and she was in the wagon because the horse
lives in the barn and I had to keep on running the bu33ard away from
8I+ yo' 2',t !o'ld,8 Ca,h ,ay,- And D!y Dll ha,n.t got a $ro(n lg and
I ha/n.t- Ca,h i, my $rothr-
% ,top- %hn Darl loo,n, th rop Ca,h $gin, to ,!at again- Hi, tth
loo( o't-
8H'rt>8 Darl ,ay,-
8I r*(on yo' $ttr p't it $a*(,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
Darl p't, th rop $a*(, p'lling hard- Ca,h., tth loo( o't-
8H'rt>8 Darl ,ay,-
8It dont $othr non,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
8Do yo' !ant pa to dri/ ,lo!r>8 Darl ,ay,-
8No,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8Aint no tim to hang $a*(- It dont $othr non-8
8%All ha/ to gt ,om mdi*in at 7ott,on,8 pa ,ay,- 8I r*(on !.ll
ha/ to-8
8Tll him to go on,8 Ca,h ,ay,- % go on- D!y Dll lan, $a*( and !ip,
Ca,h., +a*- Ca,h i, my $rothr- &ut Jewel,s mother is a horse. 6y mother is a
fish. )arl says that when we come to the water again I might see her and )ewey
)ell said, !hes in the bo#; how could she have got out. !he got out through
the holes I bored, into the water I said, and when we come to the water again I
am going to see her. 6y mother is not in the bo#. 6y mother does not smell like
that. 6y mother is a fish
8Tho, *a(, !ill $ in +in ,hap $y th tim ! gt to )++r,on,8 Darl
,ay,-
D!y Dll do, not loo( aro'nd-
8Yo' $ttr try to ,ll thm in 7ott,on,8 Darl ,ay,-
8%hn !ill ! gt to 7ott,on, Darl>8 I ,ay-
8Tomorro!,8 Darl ,ay,- 8I+ thi, tam dont ra*( to pi*,- Snop, m',t ha/
+d thm on ,a!d',t-8
8%hy did h +d thm on ,a!d',t, Darl>8 I ,ay-
8Loo(,8 Darl ,ay,- 8S>8
No! thr ar nin o+ thm, tall in littl tall $la*( *ir*l,-
%hn ! *om to th +oot o+ th hill pa ,top, and Darl and D!y Dll and
I gt o't- Ca,h *ant !al( $*a', h ha, a $ro(n lg- 8Com 'p, m'l,,8 pa
,ay,- Th m'l, !al( hard@ ti !agon *ra(,- Darl and D!y Dll and I !al(
$hind th !agon, 'p th hill- %hn ! *om to th top o+ th hill pa ,top, and
! gt $a*( into th !agon-
No! thr ar tn o+ thm, tall in littl tall $la*( *ir*l, on th ,(y-
7o,ly
I happnd to loo( 'p, and ,a! hr o't,id th !indo!, loo(ing in- Not *lo, to
th gla,,, and not loo(ing at anything in parti*'lar@ 2',t ,tanding thr !ith
hr had t'rnd thi, !ay and hr y, +'ll on m and (ind o+ $lan( too, li( ,h
!a, !aiting +or a ,ign- %hn I loo(d 'p again ,h !a, mo/ing to!ard th door-
Sh (ind o+ $'m$ld at th ,*rn door a min't, li( thy do, and *am
in- Sh had on a ,ti++0$rimmd ,tra! hat ,tting on th top o+ hr had and ,h
!a, *arrying a pa*(ag !rappd in n!,papr5 I tho'ght that ,h had a 1'artr or
a dollar at th mo,t, and that a+tr ,h ,tood aro'nd a !hil ,h !o'ld may$
$'y a *hap *om$ or a $ottl o+ niggr toilt !atr, ,o I n/r di,t'r$d hr
+or a min't or ,o 6*pt to noti* that ,h !a, prtty in a (ind o+ ,'lln,
a!(!ard !ay, and that ,h loo(d a ,ight $ttr in hr gingham dr,, and hr o!n
*ompl6ion than ,h !o'ld a+tr ,h $o'ght !hat/r ,h !o'ld +inally d*id on-
Or tll that ,h !antd- I (n! that ,h had alrady d*idd $+or ,h *am in-
3't yo' ha/ to lt thm ta( thir tim- So I !nt on !ith !hat I !a, doing,
+ig'ring to lt Al$rt !ait on hr !hn h *a'ght 'p at th +o'ntain, !hn h
*am $a*( to m-
8That !oman,8 h ,aid- 8Yo' $ttr , !hat ,h !ant,-8
8%hat do, ,h !ant>8 I ,aid-
8I dont (no!- I *ant gt anything o't o+ hr- Yo' $ttr !ait on hr-8
So I !nt aro'nd th *o'ntr- I ,a! that ,h !a, $ar+ootd, ,tanding !ith
hr +t +lat and a,y on th +loor, li( ,h !a, ',d to it- Sh !a, loo(ing at
m, hard, holding th pa*(ag@ I ,a! ,h had a$o't a, $la*( a pair o+ y, a,
/r I ,a!, and ,h !a, a ,trangr- I n/r rmm$rd ,ing hr in 7ott,on
$+or- 8%hat *an I do +or yo'>8 I ,aid-
Still ,h didn.t ,ay anything- Sh ,tard at m !itho't !in(ing- Thn ,h
loo(d $a*( at th +ol(, at th +o'ntain- Thn ,h loo(d pa,t m, to!ard th
$a*( o+ th ,tor-
8Do yo' !ant to loo( at ,om toilt thing,>8 I ,aid- 8Or i, it mdi*in
yo' !ant>8
8That., it,8 ,h ,aid- Sh loo(d 1'i*( $a*( at th +o'ntain again- So I
tho'ght may$ hr ma or ,om$ody had ,nt hr in +or ,om o+ thi, +mal dop
and ,h !a, a,hamd to a,( +or it- I (n! ,h *o'ldn.t ha/ a *ompl6ion li(
hr, and ', it hr,l+, lt alon not $ing m'*h mor than old no'gh to $arly
(no! !hat it !a, +or- It., a ,ham, th !ay thy poi,on thm,l/, !ith it- 3't
a man., got to ,to*( it or go o't o+ $',in,, in thi, *o'ntry-
8Oh,8 I ,aid- 8%hat do yo' ',> % ha/008 Sh loo(d at m again, almo,t
li( ,h had ,aid h',h, and loo(d to!ard th $a*( o+ th ,tor again-
8I.d li+r go $a*( thr,8 ,h ,aid-
8All right,8 I ,aid- Yo' ha/ to h'mor thm- Yo' ,a/ tim $y it- I
+ollo!d hr to th $a*(- Sh p't hr hand on th gat- 8Thr., nothing $a*(
thr $'t th pr,*ription *a,,8 I ,aid- 8%hat do yo' !ant>8 Sh ,toppd and
loo(d at m- It !a, li( ,h had ta(n ,om (ind o+ a lid o++ hr +a*, hr
y,- It !a, hr y,5 (ind o+ d'm$ and hop+'l and ,'llnly !illing to $
di,appointd all at th ,am tim- 3't ,h !a, in tro'$l o+ ,om ,ort@ I *o'ld
, that- 8%hat., yo'r tro'$l>8 I ,aid- 8Tll m !hat it i, yo' !ant- I.m
prtty $',y-8 I !a,n.t maning to h'rry hr, $'t a man 2',t ha,n.t got th tim
thy ha/ o't thr-
8It., th +mal tro'$l,8 ,h ,aid-
8Oh,8 I ,aid- 8I, that all>8 I tho'ght may$ ,h !a, yo'ngr than ,h
loo(d, and hr +ir,t on had ,*ard hr, or may$ on had $n a littl
a$normal a, it !ill in yo'ng !omn- 8%hr., yo'r ma>8 I ,aid- 8Ha/n.t yo' got
on>8
8Sh., o't yondr in th !agon,8 ,h ,aid-
8%hy not tal( to hr a$o't it $+or yo' ta( any mdi*in,8 I ,aid- 8Any
!oman !o'ld ha/ told yo' a$o't it-8 Sh loo(d at m, and I loo(d at hr again
and ,aid, 8Ho! old ar yo'>8
8S/ntn,8 ,h ,aid-
8Oh,8 I ,aid- 8I tho'ght may$ yo' !r - - - Sh !a, !at*hing m- 3't
thn, in th y, all o+ thm loo( li( thy had no ag and (n! /rything in
th !orld, anyho!- 8Ar yo' too rg'lar, or not rg'lar no'gh>8
Sh 1'it loo(ing at m $'t ,h didn.t mo/- 8Y,,8 ,h ,aid- 8I r*(on ,o-
Y,-8
8%ll, !hi*h>8 I ,aid- 8Dont yo' (no!>8 It., a *rim and a ,ham@ $'t
a+tr all, thy.ll $'y it +rom ,om$ody- Sh ,tood thr, not loo(ing at m-
8Yo'- !ant ,omthing to ,top it>8 I ,aid- 8I, that it>8
8No,8 ,h ,aid- 8That., it- It., alrady ,toppd-8
8%ll, !hat008 Hr +a* !a, lo!rd a littl, ,till, li( thy do in all
thir daling, !ith a man ,o h0dont /r (no! 2',t !hr th lightning !ill
,tri(0n6t- 8Yo' ar not marrid, ar yo'>8 I ,aid-
8No-8
8Oh,8 I ,aid- 8And ho! long ha, it $n ,in* it ,toppd> a$o't +i/
month, may$>8
8It aint $n $'t t!o,8 ,h ,aid-
8%ll, I ha/n.t got anything in my ,tor yo' !ant to $'y,8 I ,aid,
8'nl,, it., a nippl- And I.d ad/i, yo' to $'y that and go $a*( hom and tll
yo'r pa, i+ yo' ha/ on, and lt him ma( ,om$ody $'y yo' a !dding li*n,-
%a, that all yo' !antd>8
3't ,h 2',t ,tood thr, not loo(ing at m-
8I got th mony to pay yo',8 ,h ,aid-
8I, it yo'r o!n, or did h a*t no'gh o+ a man to gi/ yo' th mony>8
8H gi/ it to m- Tn dollar,- H ,aid that !o'ld $ no'gh-8
8A tho',and dollar, !o'ldn.t $ no'gh in my ,tor and tn *nt, !o'ldn.t
$ no'gh,8 I ,aid- 8Yo' ta( my ad/i* and go hom and tll yo'r pa or yo'r
$rothr, i+ yo' ha/ any or th +ir,t man yo' *om to in th road-8
3't ,h, didn.t mo/- 8La+ ,aid I *o'ld gt it at th dr'g,tor- H ,aid
to tll yo' m and him !o'ldn.t n/r tll no$ody yo' ,old it to ',-8
8And I 2',t !i,h yo'r pr*io', La+ had *om +or it him,l+@ that., !hat I
!i,h- I dont (no!5 I.d ha/ had a littl r,p*t +or him thn- And yo' *an go
$a*( and tll him I ,aid ,o00i+ h aint hal+!ay to T6a, $y no!, !hi*h I dont
do'$t- 7, a r,p*ta$l dr'ggi,t, that., (pt ,tor and rai,d a +amily and
$n a *h'r*h0mm$r +or +i+ty0,i6 yar, in thi, to!n- I.m a good mind to tll
yo'r +ol(, my,l+, i+ I *an 2',t +ind !ho thy ar-8
Sh loo(d at m no!, hr y, and +a* (ind o+ $lan( again li( !hn I
+ir,t ,a! hr thro'gh th !indo!- 8I didn.t (no!,8 ,h ,aid- 8H told m I *o'ld
gt ,omthing at th dr'g,tor- H ,aid thy might not !ant to ,ll it to m,
$'t i+ I had tn dollar, and told thm I !o'ldn.t n/r tll no$ody - - -8
8H n/r ,aid thi, dr'g,tor,8 I ,aid- 8I+ h did or mntiond my nam, I
d+y him to pro/ it- I d+y him to rpat it or I.ll pro,*'t him to th +'ll
6tnt o+ th la!, and yo' *an tll him ,o-8
83't may$ anothr dr'g,tor !o'ld,8 ,h ,aid-
8Thn I dont !ant to (no! it- 7, that.,008 Thn I loo(d at hr- 3't it.,
a hard li+ thy ha/@ ,omtim, a man --- i+ thr *an /r $ any 6*', +or
,in, !hi*h it *ant $- And thn, li+ !a,n.t mad to $ a,y on +ol(,5 thy
!o'ldn.t /r ha/ any ra,on to $ good and di- 8Loo( hr,8 I ,aid- 8Yo' gt
that notion o't o+ yo'r had- Th Lord ga/ yo' !hat yo' ha/, /n i+ H did
', th d/il to do it@ yo' lt Him ta( it a!ay +rom yo' i+ it., Hi, !ill to do
,o- Yo' go on $a*( to La+ and yo' and him ta( that tn dollar, and gt marrid
!ith it-8
8La+ ,aid I *o'ld gt ,omthing at th dr'g,tor,8 ,h ,aid-
BThn go and gt it,8 I ,aid- 8Yo' !ont gt it hr-8
Sh !nt o't, *arrying th pa*(ag, hr +t ma(ing a littl hi,,ing on
th +loor- Sh $'m$ld again at th door and !nt o't- I *o'ld , hr thro'gh
th gla,, going on do!n th ,trt-
It !a, Al$rt told m a$o't th r,t o+ it H ,aid th !agon !a, ,toppd
in +ront o+ Gr'mmt., hard!ar ,tor, !ith th ladi, all ,*attring 'p and do!n
th ,trt !ith hand(r*hi+, to thir no,,, and a *ro!d o+ hard0no,d mn and
$oy, ,tanding aro'nd th !agon, li,tning to th mar,hal arg'ing !ith th man-
H !a, a (ind o+ tall, ga'ntd man ,itting on th !agon, ,aying it- !a, a p'$li*
,trt and h r*(ond h had a, m'*h right thr a, any$ody, and th mar,hal
tlling him h !o'ld ha/ to mo/ on@ +ol(, *o'ldn.t ,tand it- It had $n dad
ight day,, Al$rt ,aid- Thy *am +rom ,om pla* o't in Yo(napata!pha *o'nty,
trying to gt to )++r,on !ith it- It m',t ha/ $n li( a pi* o+ rottn
*h, *oming into an ant0hill, in that ram,ha*(l !agon that Al$rt ,aid +ol(,
!r ,*ard !o'ld +all all to pi*, $+or thy *o'ld gt it o't o+ to!n, !ith
that hom0mad $o6 and anothr +llo! !ith a $ro(n lg lying on a 1'ilt on top
o+ it, and th +athr and a littl $oy ,itting on th ,at and th mar,hal
trying to ma( thm gt o't o+ to!n-
8It., a p'$li* ,trt,8 th man ,ay,- .I r*(on ! *an ,top to $'y
,omthing ,am a, airy othr man- % got th mony to pay +or hit, and hit aint
airy la! that ,ay, a man *ant ,pnd hi, mony !hr h !ant,-8
Thy had ,toppd to $'y ,om *mnt- Th othr ,on !a, in Gr'mmt.,,
trying to ma( Gr'mmt $ra( a ,a*( and lt him ha/ tn *nt,. !orth, and
+inally Gr'mmt $ro( th ,a*( to gt him o't- Thy !antd th *mnt to +i6 th
+llo!., $ro(n lg, ,om!ay-
8%hy, yo'.ll (ill him,8 th mar,hal ,aid- 8Yo'.ll *a', him to lo, hi,
lg- Yo' ta( him on to a do*tor, and yo' gt thi, thing $'rid ,oon a, yo' *an-
Dont yo' (no! yo'.r lia$l to 2ail +or ndangring th p'$li* halth>8
8%.r doing th $,t ! *an,8 th +athr ,aid- Thn h told a long tal
a$o't ho! thy had to !ait +or th !agon to *om $a*( and ho! th $ridg !a,
!a,hd a!ay and ho! thy !nt ight mil, to anothr $ridg and it !a, gon too
,o thy *am $a*( and ,!'m th +ord and th m'l, got dro!nd and ho! thy got
anothr tam and +o'nd that th road !a, !a,hd o't and thy had to *om *lan
aro'nd $y 7ott,on, and thn th on !ith th *mnt *am $a*( and told him to
,h't 'p-
8%All $ gon in a min't,8 h told th mar,hal-
8% n/r aimd to $othr no$ody,8 th +athr ,aid-
8Yo' ta( that +llo! to a do*tor,8 th mar,hal told th on !ith th
*mnt-
8I r*(on h., all right,8 h ,aid-
8It aint that !.r hard0hartd,8 th mar,hal ,aid- 83't I r*(on yo' *an
tll yo'r,l+ ho! it i,-8
8Sho,8 th othr ,aid- 8%.ll ta( o't ,oon a, D!y Dll *om, $a*(- Sh
!nt to dli/r a pa*(ag-8
So thy ,tood thr !ith th +ol(, $a*(d o++ !ith hand(r*hi+, to thir
+a*,, 'ntil in a min't th girl *am 'p !ith that n!,papr pa*(ag-
8Com on,8 th on !ith th *mnt ,aid, 8!./ lo,t too m'*h tim-8 So
thy got in th !agon and !nt on- And !hn I !nt to ,'ppr it ,till ,md
li( I *o'ld ,mll it- And th n6t day I mt th mar,hal and I $gan to ,ni++
and ,aid,
8Smll anything>8
BI r*(on thy.r in )++r,on $y no!,8 h ,aid-
8Or in 2ail- %ll, than( th Lord it., not o'r 2ail-8
8That., a +a*t,8 h ,aid-
Darl
8Hr., a pla*,8 pa ,ay,- H p'll, th tam 'p and ,it, loo(ing at th ho',,
8% *o'ld gt ,om !atr o/r yondr-8
8All right,8 I ,ay- .Yo'.ll ha/ to $orro! a $'*(t +rom thm, D!y
Dll-8
8God (no!,,8 pa ,ay,- 8I !o'ldn.t $ $holdn, God (no!,-8
8I+ yo' , a good0,i4d *an, yo' might $ring it,8 I ,ay- D!y Dll gt,
do!n +rom th !agon, *arrying th pa*(ag- 8Yo' had mor tro'$l than yo'
6p*td, ,lling tho, *a(, in 7ott,on,8 I ,ay- Ho! do o'r li/, ra/l o't
into th no0!ind, no0,o'nd, th !ary g,t'r, !arily r*apit'lant5 *ho, o+
old *omp'l,ion, !ith no0hand on no0,tring,5 in ,'n,t ! +all into +'rio',
attit'd,, dad g,t'r, o+ doll,- Ca,h $ro( hi, lg and no! th ,a!d',t i,
r'nning o't- H i, $lding to dath i, Ca,h-
8I !o'ldn.t $ $holdn,8 pa ,ay,- 8God (no!,-8
8Thn ma( ,om !atr yo'r,l+,8 I ,ay- 8% *an ', Ca,h., hat-8
%hn D!y Dll *om, $a*( th man *om, !ith hr- Thn h ,top, and ,h
*om, on and h ,tand, thr and a+tr a !hil h go, $a*( to th ho', and
,tand, on th por*h, !at*hing ',-
8% $ttr not try to li+t him do!n,8 pa ,ay,- 8% *an +i6 it hr-8
8Do yo' !ant to $ li+td do!n, Ca,h>8 I ,ay-
8%ont ! gt to )++r,on tomorro!>8 h ,ay,- H i, !at*hing ',, hi, y,
intrrogatory, intnt, and ,ad- 8I *an la,t it o't-8
8It.ll $ a,ir on yo',8 pa ,ay,- 8It.ll (p it +rom r'$$ing togthr-8
8I *an la,t it,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8%All lo, tim ,topping-8
8% don $o'ght th *mnt, no!,8 pa ,ay,-
8I *o'ld la,t it,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8It aint $'t on mor day- It dont $othr to
,pa( o+-8 H loo(, at ',, hi, y, !id in hi, thin gray +a*, 1',tioning- 8It
,t, 'p ,o,8 h ,ay,-
8% don $o'ght it no!,8 pa ,ay,-
I mi6 th *mnt in th *an, ,tirring th ,lo! !atr into th pal grn
thi*( *oil,- I $ring th *an to th !agon !hr Ca,h *an ,- H li, on hi,
$a*(, hi, thin pro+il in ,ilho'tt, a,*ti* and pro+o'nd again,t th ,(y-
8Do, that loo( a$o't right>8 I ,ay-
8Yo' dont !ant too m'*h !atr, or it !ont !or( right,8 h ,ay,-
8I, thi, too m'*h>8
87ay$ i+ yo' *o'ld gt a littl ,and,8 h ,ay,- 8It aint $'t on mor
day,8 h ,ay,- 8It dont $othr m non-8
?ardaman go, $a*( do!n th road to !hr ! *ro,,d th $ran*h and
rt'rn, !ith ,and- H po'r, it ,lo!ly into th thi*( *oiling in th *an- I go to
th !agon again-
8Do, that loo( all right>8
8Y,,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8I *o'ld ha/ la,td- It dont $othr m non-8
% loo,n th ,plint, and po'r th *mnt o/r hi, lg, ,lo!-
8%at*h o't +or it,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8Dont gt non on it i+ yo' *an hlp-8
8Y,,8 I ,ay- D!y Dll tar, a pi* o+ papr +rom th pa*(ag and !ip,
th *mnt +rom th top o+ it a, it drip, +rom Ca,h., lg-
8Ho! do, that +l>8
BIt +l, +in,8 h ,ay,- 8It., *old- It +l, +in-8
8I+ it.ll 2',t hlp yo',8 pa ,ay,- 8I a,(, yo'r +orgi/n,,- I n/r
+or,n it no mor than yo'-8
8It +l, +in,8 Ca,h ,ay,-
I+ yo' *o'ld 2',t ra/l o't into tim- That !o'ld $ ni*- It !o'ld $
ni* i+ yo' *o'ld 2',t ra/l o't into tim-
% rpla* th ,plint,, th *ord,, dra!ing thm tight, th *mnt in thi*(
pal grn ,lo! ,'rg, among th *ord,, Ca,h !at*hing ', 1'itly !ith that
pro+o'nd 1',tioning loo(-
8That.ll ,tady it,8 I ,ay-
8Ay,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8I.m o$ligd-8
Thn ! all t'rn on th !agon and !at*h him- H i, *oming 'p th road
$hind ',, !oodn0$a*(d, !oodn0+a*d, mo/ing only +rom hi, hip, do!n- H
*om, tip !itho't a !ord, !ith hi, pal rigid y, in hi, high ,'lln +a*, and
gt, into th !agon-
8Hr., a hill,8 pa ,ay,- 8I r*(on yo'.ll ha/ to gt o't and !al(-8
?ardaman
Darl and )!l and D!y Dll and I ar !al(ing tip th hill, $hind th !agon-
)!l *am $a*(- H *am 'p th road and got into th !agon- H !a, !al(ing-
)!l ha,n.t got a hor, anymor- )!l i, my $rothr- .Ca,h i, my $rothr- Ca,h
ha, a $ro(n lg- % +i6d Ca,h., lg ,o it do,n.t h'rt- Ca,h i, my $rothr-
)!l i, my $rothr too, $'t h ha,n.t got a $ro(n lg-
No! thr ar +i/ o+ thm, tall in littl tall $la*( *ir*l,-
8%hr do thy ,tay at night, Darl>8 I ,ay- 8%hn ! ,top at night in th
$arn, !hr do thy ,tay>8
Th hill go, o++ into th ,(y- Thn th ,'n *om, 'p +rom $hind th hill
and th m'l, and th !agon and pa !al( on th ,'n- Yo' *annot !at*h thm,
!al(ing ,lo! on th ,'n- In )++r,on it i, rd on th tra*( $hind th gla,,-
Th tra*( go, ,hining ro'nd and ro'nd- D!y Dll ,ay, ,o-
Tonight I am going to , !hr thy ,tay !hil ! ar in th $arn-
Darl
)!l,8 I ,ay, 8!ho, ,on ar yo'>8
Th $r4 !a, ,tting 'p +rom th $arn, ,o ! p't hr 'ndr th appl
tr, !hr th moonlight *an dappl th appl tr 'pon th long ,l'm$ring
+lan(, !ithin !hi*h no! and thn ,h tal(, in littl tri*(ling $'r,t, o+ ,*rt
and m'rm'ro', $'$$ling- I too( ?ardaman to li,tn- %hn ! *am 'p th *at
lapd do!n +rom it and +li*(d a!ay !ith ,il/r *la! and ,il/r y into th
,hado!-
8Yo'r mothr !a, a hor,, $'t !ho !a, yo'r +athr, )!l>8
8Yo' goddamn lying ,on o+ a $it*h-8
8Dont *all m that,8 I ,ay-
8Yo' goddamn lying ,on o+ a $it*h-8
8Dont yo' *all m that, )!l-8 In th tall moonlight hi, y, loo( li(
,pot, o+ !hit papr pa,td on a high ,mall +oot$all-
A+tr ,'ppr Ca,h $gan to ,!at a littl- 8It., gtting a littl hot,8 h
,aid- 8It !a, th ,'n ,hining on it all day, I r*(on-8
8Yo' !ant ,om !atr po'rd on it>8 ! ,ay- 87ay$ that !ill a, it
,om-8
BIAd $ o$ligd,8 Ca,h ,aid- 8It !a, th ,'n ,hining on it, I r*(on- I
o'ght to tho'ght and (pt it *o/rd-8
8% o'ght to tho'ght,8 ! ,aid- 8Yo' *o'ldn.t ha/ ,',pi*iond-8
8I n/r noti*d it gtting hot,8 Ca,h ,aid- BI o'ght to mindd it-8
So ! po'rd th !atr o/r it- Hi, lg and +oot $lo! th *mnt loo(d
li( thy had $n $oild- 8Do, that +l $ttr>8 ! ,aid-
BIAm o$ligd,8 Ca,h ,aid- 8It +l, +in-8
D!y Dll !ip, hi, +a* !ith th hm o+ hr dr,,-
8S i+ yo' *an gt ,om ,lp,8 ! ,ay-
8Sho,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8I.m right o$ligd- It +l, +in no!-8
Jewel, I say, /ho was your father, Jewel.
4oddamn you. 4oddamn you.
?ardaman
Sh !a, 'ndr th appl tr and Darl and I go a*ro,, th moon and th *at 2'mp,
do!n and r'n, and ! *an har hr in,id th !ood-
8Har>8 Darl ,ay,- 8:'t yo'r ar *lo,-8
I p't my ar *lo, and I *an har hr- Only I *ant tll !hat ,h i,
,aying-
8%hat i, ,h ,aying, Darl>8 I ,ay- 8%ho i, ,h tal(ing to>8
8Sh., tal(ing to God,8 Darl ,ay,- 8Sh i, *alling on Him to hlp hr-8
8%hat do, ,h !ant Him to do>8 I ,ay-
8Sh !ant, Him to hid hr a!ay +rom th ,ight o+ man,8 Darl ,ay,-
8%hy do, ,h !ant to hid hr a!ay +rom th ,ight o+ man, Darl>8
8So ,h *an lay do!n hr li+,8 Darl ,ay,-
8%hy do, ,h !ant to lay do!n hr li+, Darl>8
8Li,tn,8 Darl ,ay,- % har hr- % har hr t'rn o/r on hr ,id-
8Li,tn,8 Darl ,ay,-
8Sh., t'rnd o/r,8 I ,ay- 8Sh., loo(ing at m thro'gh th %ood-8
8Y,,8 Darl ,ay,-
8Ho! *an ,h , thro'gh th !ood, Darl>8
8Com,8 Darl ,ay,- 8% m',t lt hr $ 1'it- Com-8
8Sh *ant , o't thr, $*a', th hol, ar in th top,8 I ,ay- 8Ho!
*an ,h ,, Darl>8
8Lt., go , a$o't Ca,h,8 Darl ,ay,-
*nd I saw something )ewey )ell told me not to tell nobody
Ca,h i, ,i*( in hi, lg- % +i6d hi, lg thi, a+trnoon, $'t h i, ,i*(
in it again, lying on th $d- % po'r !atr on hi, lg and thn h +l, +in-
8I +l +in,8 Ca,h ,ay,- I.m o$ligd to yo'-8
BTry to gt ,om ,lp,8 ! ,ay-
8I +l +in,8 Ca,h ,ay,- 8I.m o$ligd to yo'-8
*nd I saw something )ewey )ell told me not to tell nobody. It is not
about pa and it is not about 0ash and it is not about Jewel and it is not about
)ewey )ell and it is not about me
D!y Dll and I ar going to ,lp on th pallt It i, on th $a*( por*h,
!hr ! *an , th $arn, and th moon ,hin, on hal+ o+ th pallt and ! !ill
li hal+ in th !hit and hal+ in th $la*(, !ith th moonlight on o'r lg,- And
thn I am going to , !hr thy ,tay at night !hil ! ar in th $arn- % ar
not in th $arn tonight $'t I *an , th $arn and ,o I am going to +ind !hr
thy ,tay at night-
% li on th pallt, !ith o'r lg, in th moon-
8Loo(,8 I ,ay, 8my lg, loo( $la*(- Yo'r lg, loo( $la*(, too-8
8Go to ,lp,8 D!y Dll ,ay,-
)++r,on i, a +ar pi*-
8D!y Dll-8
8%hat8
8I+ it., not Chri,tma, no!, ho! !ill it $ thr>8
It go, ro'nd and ro'nd on th ,hining tra*(- Thn th tra*( go, ,hining
ro'nd and ro'nd-
8%ill !hat $ thr>8
8That train- In th !indo!-8
8Yo' go to ,lp- Yo' *an , tomorro! i+ it., thr-8
7ay$ Santa Cla', !ont (no! thy ar to!n $oy,-
8D!y Dll-8
8Yo' go to ,lp- H aint going to lt non o+ thm to!n $oy, ha/ it-8
It !a, $hind th !indo!, rd on th tra*(, th tra*( ,hining ro'nd and
ro'nd- It mad my hart h'rt And thn it !a, pa and )!l and Darl and 7r
Gill,pi., $oy- 7r Gill,pi., $oy., lg, *om do!n 'ndr hi, night,hirt %hn
h go, into th moon, hi, lg, +'44- Thy go on aro'nd th ho', to!ard th
appl tr-
8%hat ar thy going to do, D!y Dll>8
Thy !nt aro'nd th ho', to!ard th appl tr-
BI *an ,mll hr,8 I ,ay- 8Can yo' ,mll hr, too>8
8H',h,8 D!y Dll ,ay,- 8Th !ind., *hangd- Go to ,lp-8
And ,o I am going to (no! !hr thy ,tay at night ,oon- Thy *om aro'nd
th ho',, going a*ro,, th yard in th moon, *arrying hr on thir ,ho'ldr,-
thy *arry hr do!n to th $arn, th moon ,hining +lat and 1'it on hr- Thn
thy *om $a*( and go into th ho', again- %hil thy !r in th moon, 7r
Gill,pi., $oy., lg, +'44d- And thn I !aitd and I ,aid D!y Dll> and thn
I !aitd and thn I !nt to +ind !hr thy ,tay at night and I ,a! ,omthing
that D!y Dll told m not to tll no$ody-
Darl
Again,t th dar( door!ay h ,m, to matriali, o't o+ dar(n,,, lan a, a ra*
hor, in hi, 'ndr*loth, in th $ginning o+ th glar- H lap, to th gro'nd
!ith on hi, +a* an 6pr,,ion o+ +'rio', 'n$li+- H ha, ,n m !itho't /n
t'rning hi, had or hi, y, in !hi*h th glar ,!im, li( t!o ,mall tor*h,-
8Com on,8 h ,ay,, laping do!n th ,lop to!ard th $arn-
&or an in,tant longr h r'n, ,il/r in th moonlight, thn h ,pring, o't
li( a +lat +ig'r *'t lanly +rom tin again,t an a$r'pt and ,o'ndl,, 6plo,ion
a, th !hol lo+t o+ th $arn ta(, +ir at on*, a, tho'gh it had $n ,t'++d
!ith po!dr- Th +ront, th *oni*al +a*ad !ith th ,1'ar ori+i* o+ door!ay
$ro(n only $y th ,1'ar ,1'at ,hap o+ th *o++in on th ,a!hor,, li( a
*'$i,ti* $'g, *oni, into rli+- 3hind m pa and Gill,pi and 7a*( and D!y
Dll and ?ardaman mrg +rom th ho',-
H pa',, at th *o++in, ,tooping, loo(ing at m, hi, +a* +'rio',-
O/rhad th +lam, ,o'nd li( th'ndr@ a*ro,, ', r',h, a *ool dra+t5 thr i,
no hat in it at all yt, and a hand+'l o+ *ha++ li+t, ,'ddnly and ,'*(,
,!i+tly along th ,tall, !hr a hor, i, ,*raming- 8J'i*(,8 I ,ay@ 8th
hor,,-8
H glar, a momnt longr at m, thn at th roo+ o/rhad, thn h lap,
to!ard th ,tall !hr th hor, ,*ram,- It pl'ng, and (i*(,, th ,o'nd o+ th
*ra,hing $lo!, ,'*(ing 'p into th ,o'nd o+ th +lam,- Thy ,o'nd li( an
intrmina$l train *ro,,ing an ndl,, tr,tl- Gill,pi and 7a*( pa,, m, in
(n0lngth night,hirt,, ,ho'ting, thir /oi*, thin and high and maningl,,
and at th ,am tim pro+o'ndly !ild and ,ad5 8- - - *o! - - - ,tall - - -8
Gill,pi., night,hirt r',h, ahad o+ him on th dra+t, $allooning a$o't hi,
hairy thigh,-
Th ,tall door ha, ,!'ng ,h't- )!l thr',t, it $a*( !ith hi, $'tto*(, and
h appar,, hi, $a*( ar*hd, th m',*l, ridgd thro'gh hi, garmnt a, h drag,
th hor, o't $y it, had- In th glar it, y, roll !ith ,o+t, +lt, !ild
opalin +ir@ it, m',*l, $'n*h and r'n a, it +ling, it, had a$o't, li+ting
)!l *lar o+ th gro'nd- H drag, it on, ,lo!ly, trri+i*ally@ again h gi/,
m a*ro,, hi, ,ho'ldr a ,ingl glar +'rio', and $ri+- =/n !hn thy ar
*lar o+ th $arn th hor, *ontin', to +ight and la,h $a*(!ard to!ard th
door!ay 'ntil Gill,pi pa,,, m, ,tar(0na(d, hi, night,hirt !rappd a$o't th
m'l., had, and $at, th maddnd hor, on o't o+ th door-
)!l rt'rn,, r'nning@ again h loo(, do!n at +il *o++in- 3't h *om,
on- 8%hr., *o!>8 h *ri,, pa,,ing m- I +ollo! him- In th ,tall 7a*( i,
,tr'ggling !ith th othr m'l- %hn it, had t'rn, into th glar I *an , th
!ild rolling o+ it, y too, $'t it ma(, no ,o'nd- It 2',t ,tand, thr,
!at*hing 7a*( o/r it, ,ho'ldr, ,!inging it, hind 1'artr, to!ard him !hn/r
h approa*h,- H loo(, $a*( at ',, hi, y, and mo'th thr ro'nd hol, in hi,
+a* on !hi*h th +r*(l, loo( li( ngli,h pa, on a plat- Hi, /oi* i, thin,
high, +ara!ay-
8I *ant do nothing ---8 It i, a, tho'gh th ,o'nd had $n ,!pt +rom hi,
lip, and 'p and a!ay, ,pa(ing $a*( to ', +rom an immn, di,tan* o+
6ha',tion- )!l ,lid, pa,t ',@ th m'l !hirl, and la,h, o't, $'t h ha,
alrady gaind it, had- I lan to 7a*(., ar5
8Night,hirt- Aro'nd hi, had-8
7a*( ,tar, at m- Thn h rip, th night,hirt o++ and +ling, it o/r th
m'l., had, and it $*om, do*il at on*- )!l i, ylling at him5 8Co!> Co!>8
83a*(,8 7a*( *ri,- 8La,t ,tall-8
Th *o! !at*h, ', a, ! ntr- Sh i, $a*(d into th *ornr, had
lo!rd, ,till *h!ing tho'gh rapidly- 3't ,h ma(, no mo/- )!l ha, pa',d,
loo(ing 'p, and ,'ddnly ! !at*h th ntir +loor to th lo+t di,,ol/- It 2',t
t'rn, to +ir@ a +aint littr o+ ,par(, rain, do!n- H glan*, a$o't- 3a*( 'ndr
th tro'gh i, a thr lggd mil(ing ,tool- H *at*h, it 'p and ,!ing, it into
th plan(ing o+ th rar !all- H ,plintr, a plan(, thn anothr, a third@ !
tar th +ragmnt, a!ay- %hil ! ar ,tooping at th opning ,omthing *harg,
into ', +rom $hind- It i, th *o!@ !ith a ,ingl !hi,tling $rath ,h r',h,
$t!n ', and thro'gh th gap and into th o'tr glar, hr tail r*t and
rigid a, a $room naild 'pright to th nd o+ hr ,pin-
)!l t'rn, $a*( into th $arn- 8Hr,8 I ,ay@ 8)!lD8 I gra,p at him@ h
,tri(, my hand do!n- 8Yo' +ool,8 I ,ay, 8dont yo' , yo' *ant ma( it ha*(
yondr>8 Th hall!ay loo(, li( a ,ar*hlight t'rnd into rain- 8Com on,8 I
,ay, 8aro'nd thi, !ay-8
%hn ! ar thro'gh th gap h $gin, to r'n- 8)!l,8 I ,ay, r'nning- H
dart, aro'nd th *ornr- %hn I ra*h it h ha, almo,t ra*hd th n6t on,
r'nning again,t th glar li( that +ig'r *'t +rom tin- :a and Gill,pi and
7a*( ar ,om di,tan* a!ay, !at*hing th $arn, pin( again,t th dar(n,, !hr
+or th tim th moonlight ha, $n /an1'i,hd- 8Cat*h himD8 I *ry@ 8,top himD8
%hn I ra*h th +ront, h i, ,tr'ggling !ith Gill,pi@ th on lan in
'ndr*loth,, th othr ,tar( na(d- Thy ar li( t!o +ig'r, in a Gr(
+ri4, i,olatd o't o+ all rality $y th rd glar- 3+or I *an ra*h thm h
ha, ,tr'*( Gill,pi to th gro'nd and t'rnd and r'n $a*( into th $arn-
Th ,o'nd o+ it ha, $*om 1'it pa*+'l no!, li( th ,o'nd o+ th ri/r
did- % !at*h thro'gh th di,,ol/ing pro,*ni'm o+ th door!ay a, )!l r'n,
*ro'*hing to th +ar nd o+ th *o++in and ,toop, to it- &or an in,tant h loo(,
'p and o't at ', thro'gh th rain o+ $'rning hay li( a portir o+ +laming
$ad,, and I *an , hi, mo'th ,hap a, h *all, my nam-
8)!lD8 D!y Dll *ri,@ 8)!lD8 It ,m, to m that I no! har th
a**'m'lation o+ hr /oi* thro'gh th la,t +i/ min't,, and I har hr
,*'++ling and ,tr'ggling a, pa and 7a*( hold hr, ,*raming 8)!ll )!lD8 3't
h i, no longr loo(ing at ',- % , hi, ,ho'ldr, ,train a, h 'pnd, th
*o++in and ,lid, it ,ingl0handd +rom th ,a!hor,,- It loom, 'n$li/a$ly
tall, hiding him5 I !o'ld not ha/ $li/d that Addi 3'ndrn !o'ld ha/ ndd
that m'*h room to li *om+orta$l in@ +or anothr in,tant it ,tand, 'pright
!hil th ,par(, rain on it in ,*attring $'r,t, a, tho'gh thy ngndrd othr
,par(, +rom th *onta*t- Thn it toppl, +or!ard, gaining momnt'm, r/aling
)!l and th ,par(, raining on him too in ngndring g',t,, ,o that h appar,
to $ n*lo,d in a thin nim$', o+ +ir- %itho't ,topping it o/rnd, and rar,
again, pa',,, thn *ra,h, ,lo!ly +or!ard and thro'gh th *'rtain- Thi, tim
)!l i, riding 'pon it, *linging to it, 'ntil it *ra,h, do!n and +ling, him
+or!ard and *lar and 7a*( lap, +or!ard into a thin ,mll o+ ,*or*hing mat and
,lap, at th !idning *rim,on0dgd hol, that $loom li( +lo!r, in hi,
'ndr,hirt-
?ardaman
/hen I went to find where they stay at night, I saw something Thy ,aid, 8%hr
i, Darl> %hr did Darl go>8
Thy *arrid hr $a*( 'ndr th appl tr-
Th $arn !a, ,till rd, $'t it !a,n.t a $arn no!- It !a, ,'n( do!n, and
th rd !nt ,!irling 'p- Th $arn !nt ,!irling 'p in littl rd pi*,,
again,t th ,(y and th ,tar, ,o that th ,tar, mo/d $a*(!ard-
And thn Ca,h !a, ,till a!a(- H t'rnd hi, had +rom ,id to ,id, !ith
,!at on hi, +a*-
8Do yo' !ant ,om mor !atr on it, Ca,h>8 D!y Dll ,aid-
Ca,h., lg and +oot t'rnd $la*(- % hld th lamp and loo(d at Ca,h.,
+oot and lg !hr it !a, $la*(-
8Yo'r +oot loo(, li( a niggr., +oot, Ca,h,8 I ,aid- 8I r*(on !All ha/
to $',t it o++,8 pa ,aid- 8%hat in th tarnation yo' p't it on thr +or,8 7r
Gill,pi ,aid-
8I tho'ght it !o'ld ,tady it ,om,8 pa ,aid- 8I 2',t aimd to hlp him-8
Thy got th +lat iron and th hammr- D!y Dll hld th lamp- Thy had
to hit it hard- And thn Ca,h !nt to ,lp-
8H., a,lp no!,8 I ,aid- 8It *ant h'rt him !hil h., a,lp-8
It 2',t *ra*(d- It !o'ldn.t *om o++-
8It.ll ta( th hid, too,8 7r Gill,pi ,aid- 8%hy in th tarnation yo'
p't it on thr- Didn.t non o+ yo' thin( to gra, hi, lg +ir,t>8
8I 2',t aimd to hlp him,8 pa ,aid- 8It !a, Darl p't it on-8
8%hr i, Darl>8 thy ,aid-
8Didn.t non o+ yo' ha/ mor ,n, than that>8 7r Gill,pi ,aid- 8I.d a
tho'ght h !o'ld, any!ay-8
)!l !a, lying on hi, +a*- Hi, $a*( !a, rd- D!y Dll p't th mdi*in
on it- Th mdi*in !a, mad o't o+ $'ttr and ,oot, to dra! o't th +ir- Thn
hi, $a*( !a, $la*(-
8Do, it h'rt, )!l>8 I ,aid- 8Yo'r $a*( loo(, li( a niggr.,, )!l,8 I
,aid- Ca,h., +oot and lg loo(d li( a niggr.,- Thn thy $ro( it o++- Ca,h.,
lg $ld-
8Yo' go on $a*( and lay do!n,8 D!y Dll ,aid- 8Yo' o'ght to $ a,lp-8
8%hr i, Darl>8 thy ,aid-
H i, o't thr 'ndr th appl tr !ith hr, lying on hr- H i, thr
,o th *at !ont *om $a*(- I ,aid, 8Ar yo' going to (p th *at a!ay, Darl>8
Th moonlight dappld on him too- On hr it !a, ,till, $'t on Darl it
dappld 'p and do!n-
8Yo' ndn.t to *ry,8 I ,aid- 8)!l got hr o't- Yo' ndn.t to *ry,
Darl-8
Th $arn i, ,till rd- It ',d to $ rddr than thi,- Thn it !nt
,!irling, ma(ing th ,tar, r'n $a*(!ard !itho't +alling- It h'rt my hart li(
th train did-
/hen I went to find where they stay at night, I saw something that )ewey
)ell says I mustnt tell nobody
Darl
% ha/ $n pa,,ing th ,ign, +or ,om tim no!5 th dr'g,tor,, th *lothing
,tor,, th patnt mdi*in and th garag, and *a+,, and th mil0$oard,
dimini,hing, $*oming mor ,tar(ly ra**r'nt5 3 mi- F mi- &rom th *r,t o+ a
hill, a, ! gt into th !agon again, ! *an , th ,om( lo! and +lat,
,mingly 'nmo/ing in th 'n!indd a+trnoon-
8I, that it, Darl>8 ?ardaman ,ay,- 8I, that )++r,on>8 H too ha, lo,t
+l,h@ li( o'r,, hi, +a* ha, an 6pr,,ion ,traind, dramy and ga'nt-
8Y,,8 I ,ay- H li+t, hi, had and loo(, at th ,(y-
High again,t it thy hand in narro!ing *ir*l,, li( th ,mo(, !ith an o't!ard
,m$lan* o+ +rom and p'rpo,, $'t !ith no in+rn* o+ motion, progr,, or
rtrograd, % mo'nt th !agon again !hr Ca,h li, on th $o6, th )aggd
,hard, o+ *mnt *ra*(d a$o't hi, lg- Th ,ha$$y m'l, droop rattling and
*lan(ing do!n th hill-
B%.ll ha/ to ta( him to th do*tor,8 pa ,ay,- 8I r*(on it aint no !ay
aro'nd it-8 Th $a*( o+ )!l., ,hirt, !hr it to'*h, him, ,tain, ,lo! and
$la*( !ith gra,- Li+ !a, *ratd in th /ally,- It $l! 'p onto th hill, on
th old trror,, th old l',t,, th old .d,pair,- That., !hy yo' m',t !al( 'p
th hill, ,o yo' *an rid do!n-
D!y Dll ,it, on th ,at, th n!,papr pa*(ag on hr lap- %hn !
ra*h th +oot o+ th hill !hr th road +lattn, $t!n *lo, !all, o+ tr,,
,h $gin, to loo( a$o't 1'itly +rom on ,id o+ th road to th othr- At la,t
,h ,ay,,
8I got to ,top-8
:a loo(, at hr, hi, ,ha$$y pro+il that o+ anti*ipant and di,gr'ntld
annoyan*- H do, not *h*( th tam- 8%hat +or>8
8I got to go to th $',h,,8 D!y Dll ,ay,-
:a do, not *h*( th tam- 8Cant yo' !ait till ! gt to to!n> It aint
o/r a mil no!-8
8Stop,8 D!y Dll ,ay,- 8I got to go to th $',h,-8
:a ,top, in th middl o+ th road and ! !at*h D!y Dll d,*nd,
*arrying th pa*(ag- Sh do, not loo( $a*(-
8%hy not la/ yo'r *a(, hr>8 I ,ay- 8%All !at*h thm-8
Sh d,*nd, ,tadily, not loo(ing at ',-
8Ho! !o'ld ,h (no! !hr to go i+ ,h !aitd till ! gt to to!n>8
?ardaman ,ay,- 8%hr !o'ld yo' go to do it in to!n, D!y Dll>8
Sh li+t, th pa*(ag do!n and t'rn, and di,appar, among th tr, and
'ndrgro!th-
8Dont $ no longr than yo' *an hlp,8 pa ,ay,- 8% aint got no tim to
!a,t-8 Sh do, not an,!r- A+tr a !hil ! *annot har hr /n- 8% o'ght to
don li( Arm,tid and Gill,pi ,aid and ,nt !ord to to!n and had it d'g and
rady,8 h ,aid-
8%hy didn.t yo'>8 I ,ay- 8Yo' *o'ld ha/ tlphond-8
8%hat +or>8 )!l ,ay,- 8%ho th hll *ant dig a hol in th gro'nd>8
A *ar *om, o/r th hill- It $gin, to ,o'nd th torn, ,lo!ing- It r'n,
along th road,id in lo! gar, th o't,id !hl, in th dit*h, and pa,,, ',
and go, on- ?ardaman !at*h, it 'ntil it i, o't o+ ,ight-
8Ho! +ar i, it no!, Darl>8 h ,ay,-
8Not +ar,8 I ,ay-
8% o'ght to don it,8 pa ,ay,- 8I 2',t n/r !antd to $ $holdn to
non 6*pt hr +l,h and $lood-8
8%ho th hll *ant dig a damn hol in th gro'nd>8 )!l ,ay,-
8It aint r,p*t+'l, tal(ing that !ay a$o't hr gra/,8 pa ,ay,- 8Yo' all
dont (no! !hat it i,- Yo' n/r p'r lo/d hr, non o+ yo'-8 )!l do, not
an,!r- H ,it, a littl ,ti++ly r*t, hi, $ody ar*hd a!ay +rom hi, ,hirt- Hi,
high0*olord 2a! 2't,-
D!y Dll rt'rn,- % !at*h hr mrg +rom th $',h,, *arrying th
pa*(ag, and *lim$ into th !agon- Sh no! !ar, hr S'nday dr,,, hr $ad,,
hr ,ho, and ,to*(ing,-
8I tho'ght I told yo' to la/ thm *loth, to hom,8 pa ,ay,- Sh do,
not an,!r, do, not loo( at ',- Sh ,t, th pa*(ag in th !agon and gt, in-
Th !agon mo/, on-
8Ho! many mor hill, no!, Darl>8 ?ardaman ,ay,-
8)',t on,8 I ,ay- 8Th n6t on go, right 'p into to!n-8
Thi, hill i, rd ,and, $ordrd on ithr hand $y ngro *a$in,@ again,t
th ,(y ahad th ma,,d tlphon lin, r'n, and th *lo*( on th *o'rtho',
li+t, among th tr,- In th ,and th !hl, !hi,pr, a, tho'gh th /ry arth
!o'ld h',h o'r ntry- % d,*nd a, th hill *ommn*, to ri,-
% +ollo! th !agon, th !hi,pring !hl,, pa,,ing th *a$in, !hr +a*,
*om ,'ddnly to th door,, !hit0yd- % har ,'ddn /oi*,, 2a*'lant- )!l
ha, $n loo(ing +rom ,id to ,id@ no! hi, had t'rn, +or!ard and I *an , hi,
ar, ta(ing on a ,till dpr ton o+ +'rio', rd- Thr ngro, !al( $,id th
road ahad o+ ',@ tn +t ahad o+ thm a !hit man !al(,- %hn ! pa,, th
ngro, thir had, t'rn ,'ddnly !ith that 6pr,,ion o+ ,ho*( and in,tin*ti/
o'trag- 8Grat God,8 on ,ay,@ 8!hat thy got in that !agon>8
)!l !hirl,- 8Son o+ a $it*h,,8 h ,ay,- A, h do, ,o h i, a$ra,t o+
th !hit man, !ho ha, pa',d- It i, a, tho'gh )!l had gon $lind +or th
momnt, +or it i, th !hit man to!ard !hom h !hirl,-
8DarlD8 Ca,h ,ay, +rom th !agon- I gra,p at )!l- Th !hit man ha,
+alln $a*( a pa*, hi, +a* ,till ,la*(02a!d@ thn hi, 2a! tightn,, *lap, to-
)!l lan, a$o/ him, hi, 2a! m',*l, gon !hit-
8%hat did yo' ,ay>8 h ,ay,-
8Hr,8 I ,ay- 8H dont man anything, mi,tr- )!l,8 I ,ay- %hn I to'*h
him h ,!ing, at th man- I gra,p hi, arm@ ! ,tr'ggl- )!l ha, n/r loo(d
at m- H i, trying to +r hi, arm- %hn I , th man again h ha, an opn
(ni+ in hi, hand-
8Hold 'p, mi,tr,8 I ,ay@ 8I./ got him- )!l,8 I ,ay-
BThin(, $*a', h., a goddamn to!n +llo!,8 )!l ,ay,, panting,
!rn*hing at m- 8Son o+ a $it*h,8 h ,ay,-
Th man mo/,- H $gin, to dg aro'nd m, !at*hing )!l, th (ni+ lo!
again,t hi, +lan(- 8Cant no man *all m that,8 h ,ay,- :a ha, got do!n, and
D!y Dll i, holding )!l, p',hing at him- I rla, him and +a* th man-
8%ait,8 I ,ay- 8H dont man nothing- H., ,i*(@ got $'rnd in a +ir la,t
night, and h aint him,l+-8
8&ir or no +ir,8 th man ,ay,, 8*ant no man *all m that-8
8H tho'ght yo' ,aid ,omthing to him,8 I ,ay-
8I n/r ,aid nothing to him- I n/r , him $+or-8
8&or God,8 pa ,ay,@ 8&or God-8
8I (no!,8 I ,ay- 8H n/r mant anything- H.ll ta( it $a*(-8
8Lt him ta( it $a*(, thn-8
B:'t 'p yo'r (ni+, and h !ill-8
Th man loo(, at m- H loo(, at )!l- )!l i, 1'it no!-
B:'t 'p yo'r (ni+,8 I ,ay- Th man ,h't, th (ni+-
8&or God,8 pa ,ay,- 8&or God-8
8Tll him yo' didn.t man anything, )!l,8 I ,ay- 8I tho'ght h ,aid
,omthing,8 )!l ,ay,- 8)',t $*a', h.,008
8H',h,8 I ,ay- 8Tll him yo' didn.t man it-8
8I didn.t man it,8 )!l ,ay,-
8H $ttr not,8 th man ,ay,- 8Calling m a008
8Do yo' thin( h., a+raid to *all yo' that>8 I ,ay-
Th man loo(, at m- 8I n/r ,aid that,8 h ,aid-
8Dont thin( it, nithr,8 )!l ,ay,-
8Sh't 'p,8 I ,ay- 8Com on- Dri/ on, pa-E
Th !agon mo/,- Th man ,tand, !at*hing ',- )!l do, not loo( $a*(-
8)!l !o'ld a !hippd him,8 ?ardaman ,ay,-
% approa*h th *r,t, !hr th ,trt r'n,, !hr *ar, go $a*( and
+orth@ th m'l, ha'l th !agon 'p and onto th *r,t and th ,trt- :a ,top,
thm- Th ,trt r'n, on ahad, !hr th ,1'ar opn, and th mon'mnt ,tand,
$+or th *o'rtho',- % mo'nt again !hil th had, t'rn !ith that 6pr,,ion
!hi*h ! (no!@ ,a/ )!l- H do, not gt on, /n tho'gh th !agon ha, ,tartd
again- 8Gt in, )!l,8 I ,ay- 8Com on- Lt., gt a!ay +rom hr-8 3't h do,
not gt in- In,tad h ,t, hi, +oot on th t'rning h'$ o+ th rar !hl, on
hand gra,ping th ,tan*hion, and !ith th h'$ t'rning ,moothly 'ndr hi, ,ol h
li+t, th othr +oot and ,1'at, thr, ,taring ,traight ahad, motionl,,, lan,
!oodn0$a*(d, a, tho'gh *ar/d ,1'atting o't o+ th lan !ood-
Ca,h
It !a,n.t nothing l, to do- It !a, ithr ,nd him to )a*(,on, or ha/
Gill,pi ,' ',, $*a', h (no!d ,om !ay that Darl ,t +ir to it- I dont
(no! ho! h (no!d, $'t h did- ?ardaman , him do it, $'t h ,!or h n/r
told no$ody $'t D!y Dll and that ,h told him not to tll no$ody- 3't
Gill,pi (no!d it- 3't h !o'ld a ,',pi*iond it ,oonr or latr- H *o'ld
ha/ don it that night 2',t !at*hing th !ay Darl a*td-
And ,o pa ,aid, 8I r*(on thr aint nothing l, to do,8 and )!l ,aid,
8Yo' !ant to +i6 him no!>8
8&i6 him>8 pa ,aid-
8Cat*h him and ti him 'p,8 )!l ,aid- 8Goddamn it@ do yo' !ant to !ait
'ntil h ,t, +ir to th goddamn tam and !agon>8
3't thr !a,n.t no ', in that- 8Thr aint no ', in that,8 I ,aid- 8%
*an !ait till ,h i, 'ndrgro'nd-8 A +llo! that., going to ,pnd th r,t o+
hi, li+ lo*(d 'p, h o'ght to $ lt to ha/ !hat pla,'r h *an ha/ $+or
h go,-
8I r*(on h o'ght to $ thr,8 pa ,ay,- 8God (no!,, it., a trial on m-
Sm, li( it aint no nd to $ad l'*( !hn on* it ,tart,-8
Somtim, I aint ,o ,ho !ho., got r a right to ,ay !hn a man i, *ra4y
and !hn h aint- Somtim, I thin( it aint non o+ ', p'r *ra4y and aint non
o+ ', p'r ,an 'ntil th $alan* o+ ', tal(, him that0a0%ay- It., li( it aint
,o m'*h !hat a +llo! do,, $'t it., th !ay th ma2ority o+ +ol(, i, loo(ing at
him !hn h do, it-
3*a', )!l i, too hard on him- O+ *o'r, it !a, )!l., hor, !a,
tradd to gt hr that nigh to to!n, and in a ,n, it !a, th /al' o+ hi,
hor, Darl trid to $'rn 'p- 3't I tho'ght mor than on* $+or ! *ro,,d th
ri/r and a+tr, ho! it !o'ld $ God., $l,,ing i+ H did ta( hr o'tn o'r
hand, and gt ,h't o+ hr in ,om *lan !ay, and it ,md to m that !hn )!l
!or(d ,o to gt hr o'tn th ri/r, h !a, going again,t God in a !ay, and
thn !hn Darl ,n that it loo(d li( on o+ ', !o'ld ha/ to do ,omthing, I
*an almo,t $li/ h don right in a !ay- 3't I dont r*(on nothing 6*',,
,tting +ir to a man., $arn and ndangring hi, ,to*( and d,troying hi,
proprty- That., ho! I r*(on a man i, *ra4y- That., ho! h *ant , y to y
!ith othr +ol(,- And I r*(on thy aint nothing l, to do !ith him $'t !hat
th mo,t +ol(, ,ay, i, right-
3't it., a ,ham, in a !ay- &ol(, ,m, to gt a!ay +rom th oldn right
ta*hing that ,ay, to dri/ th nail, do!n and trim th dg, !ll al!ay, Li(
it !a, +or yo'r o!n ', and *om+ort yo' !r ma(ing it- It., li( ,om +ol(, ha,
th ,mooth, prtty $oard, to $'ild a *o'rtho', !ith and othr, dont ha/ no
mor than ro'gh l'm$r +ittn to $'ild a *hi*(n *oop- 3't it., $ttr to $'ild
a tight *hi*(n *oop than a ,hoddy *o'rtho',, and !hn thy $oth $'ild ,hoddy
or $'ild !ll, nithr $*a', it., on or toothir i, going to ma( a man +l
th $ttr nor th !or,-
So ! !nt 'p th ,trt, to!ard th ,1'ar, and h ,aid, 8% $ttr ta(
Ca,h to th do*tor +ir,t- % *an la/ him thr and *om $a*( +or him-8 That.,
it- It., $*a', m and him !a, $orn *lo, togthr, and it nigh tn yar,
$+or )!l and D!y Dll and ?ardaman $g'n to *om along- I +l (in to
thm, all right, $'t I dont (no!- And m $ing th old,t, and thin(ing alrady
th /ry thing that h don5 I dont (no!-
:a !a, loo(ing at m, thn at him, m'm$ling hi, mo'th-
8Go on,8 I ,aid- 8%All gt it don +ir,t-8
8Sh !o'ld !ant ', all thr,8 pa ,ay,-
8Lt., ta( Ca,h to th do*tor +ir,t,8 Darl ,aid- 8Sh.ll %ait- Sh.,
alrady !aitd nin day,-8
8Yo' all dont (no!,8 pa ,ay,- 8Th ,om$ody yo' !a, yo'ng !ith and yo'
gro!d old in hr and ,h gro!d old in yo', ,ing th old *oming on and it !a,
th on ,om$ody yo' *o'ld har ,ay it dont mattr and (no! it !a, th tr'th
o'tn th hard !orld and all a man., gri+ and trial,- Yo' all dont (no!-8
8% got th digging to do, too,8 I ,aid-
8Arm,tid and Gill,pi $oth told yo' to ,nd !ord ahad,8 Darl ,aid- 8Dont
yo' !ant to go to :a$ody., no!, Ca,h>8
8Go on,8 I ,aid- 8It +l, right a,y no!- It., $,t to gt thing, don in
th right pla*-8
8I+ it !a, 2',t d'g,8 pa ,ay,- 8% +orgot o'r ,pad, too-8
8Y,,8 Darl ,aid- BIAll go to th hard!ar ,tor- %.ll ha/ to $'y on-8
8It.ll *o,t mony,8 pa ,ay,-
8Do yo' $gr'dg hr it>8 Darl ,ay,-
8Go on and gt a ,pad,8 )!l ,aid- 8Hr- Gi/ m th mony-8
3't pa didn.t ,top- 8I r*(on ! *an gt a ,pad,8 h ,aid- 8I r*(on
thr ar Chri,tian, hr-8 So Darl ,t ,till and ! !nt on, !ith )!l
,1'atting on th tail0gat, !at*hing th $a*( o+ Darl., had- H loo(d li( on
o+ th, $'ll dog,, on o+ th, dog, that dont $ar( non, ,1'atting again,t th
rop, !at*hing th thing h !a, !aiting to 2'mp at-
H ,t that !ay all th tim ! !a, in +ront o+ 7r, 3'ndrn., ho',,
haring th m',i*, !at*hing th $a*( o+ Darl., had !ith thm hard !hit y, o+
hi,n-
Th m',i* !a, playing in th ho',- It !a, on o+ thm graphophon,- It
!a, nat'ral a, a m',i*0$and-
8Do yo' !ant to go to :a$ody.,>8 Darl ,aid- 8Thy *an !ait hr and tll
pa, and IA11 dri/ yo' to :a$ody., and *om $a*( +or thm-8
8No,8 I ,aid- It !a, $ttr to gt hr 'ndrgro'nd, no! ! !a, thi, *lo,,
2',t !aiting 'ntil pa $orro!d th ,ho/l- H dro/ along th ,trt 'ntil !
*o'ld har th m',i*-
87ay$ thy got on hr,8 h ,aid- H p'lld 'p at 7r, 3'ndrn.,- It !a,
li( h (no!d- Somtim, I thin( that i+ a !or(ing man *o'ld , !or( a, +ar
ahad a, a la4y man *an , la4in,,- So h ,toppd thr li( h (no!d, $+or
that littl n! ho',, !hr th m',i* !a,- % !aitd thr, haring it- I
$li/ I *o'ld ha/ di*(rd S'ratt do!n to +i/ dollar, on that on o+ hi,-
It., a *om+orta$l thing, m',i* i,- 87ay$ thy got on hr,8 pa ,ay,-
8Yo' !ant )!l to go,8 Darl ,ay,, 8or do yo' r*(on I $ttr>8
8I r*(on I $ttr,8 pa ,ay,- H got do!n and !nt 'p th path and aro'nd
th ho', to th $a*(- Th m',i* ,toppd, thn it ,tartd again-
8H.ll gt it, too,8 Darl ,aid-
8Ay,8 I ,aid- It !a, 2',t li( h (no!d, li( h *o'ld , thro'gh th
!all, and into th n6t tn min't,-
Only it !a, mor than tn min't,- Th m',i* ,toppd and n/r *ommn*d
again +or a good ,pll, !hr hr and pa !a, tal(ing at th $a*(- % !aitd in
th !agon-
8Yo' lt m ta( yo' $a*( to :a$ody.,,8 Darl ,aid-
8No,8 I ,aid- 8%.ll gt hr 'ndrgro'nd-8
8I+ h /r gt, $a*(,8 )!l ,aid- H $g'n to *',,- H ,tartd to gt
do!n +rom th !agon- BI.m going,8 h ,aid-
Thn ! ,a! pa *oming $a*(- H had t!o ,pad,, *oming aro'nd th ho',- H
laid thm in th !agon and got in and ! !nt on- Th m',i* n/r ,tartd again-
:a !a, loo(ing $a*( at th ho',- H (ind o+ li+td hi, hand a littl and I ,a!
th ,had p'lld $a*( a littl at th !indo! and hr +a* in it-
3't th *'rio',,t thing !a, D!y Dll- It ,'rpri,d m- I , all th
!hil ho! +ol(, *o'ld ,ay h !a, 1'r, $'t that !a, th /ry ra,on *o'ldn.t
no$ody hold it pr,onal- It !a, li( h !a, o't,id o+ it too, ,am a, yo', and
gtting mad at it !o'ld $ (ind o+ li( gtting mad at a m'd0p'ddl that
,pla,hd yo' !hn yo' ,tppd in it- And thn I al!ay, (ind o+ had a ida that
him and D!y Dll (ind o+ (no!d thing, $t!i6t thm- I+ I.d a ,aid it !a, r
a on o+ ', ,h li(d $ttr than r a othr, I.d a ,aid it !a, Darl- 3't !hn
! got it +illd and *o/rd and dro/ o't th gat and t'rnd into th lan
!hr thm +llo!, !a, !aiting, !hn thy *om o't and *om on him and h 2r(d
$a*(, it !a, D!y Dll that !a, on him $+or /n )!l *o'ld gt at him- And
thn I $li/d I (no!d ho! Gill,pi (no!d a$o't ho! hi, $arn ta(n +ir-
Sh hadn.t ,aid a !ord, hadn.t /n loo(d at him, $'t !hn thm +llo!,
told him !hat thy !antd and that thy had *om to gt him and h thro!d $a*(,
,h 2'mpd on him li( a !ild *at ,o that on o+ th +llo!, had to 1'it and
hold hr and hr ,*rat*hing and *la!ing at him Li( a !ild *at, !hil th othr
on and pa and )!l thro!d Darl do!n and hld him lying on hi, $a*(, loo(ing
'p at m-
8I tho'ght yo' !o'ld ha/ told m,8 h ,aid- 8I n/r tho'ght yo' !o'ldn.t
ha/-8
8Darl,8 I ,aid- 3't h +o'ght again, him and )!l and th +llo!, and th
othr on holding D!y Dll and ?ardaman ylling and )!l ,aying,
89ill him- 9ill th ,on o+ a $it*h-8
It !a, $ad ,o- It !a, $ad- A +llo! *ant gt a!ay +rom a ,hoddy 2o$- H
*ant do it- I trid to tll him, $'t h 2',t ,aid, 8I tho'ght yo'.d a told m-
It., not that I,8 h ,aid, thn h $g'n to la'gh- Th othr +llo! p'lld )!l
o++ o+ him and h ,at thr on th gro'nd, la'ghing-
I trid to tll him- I+ I *o'ld ha/ 2',t mo/d, /n ,t 'p- 3't I trid
to tll him, and h 1'it la'ghing, loo(ing 'p at m-
8Do yo' !ant m to go>8 h ,aid-
8It.ll $ $ttr +or yo',8 I ,aid- 8Do!n thr it.ll $ 1'it, !ith non
o+ th $othring and ,'*h- It.ll $ $ttr +or yo', Darl,8 I ,aid-
83ttr,8 h ,aid- H $g'n to la'gh again- 83ttr,8 h ,aid- H *o'ldn.t
hardly ,ay it +or la'ghing- H ,at on th gro'nd and ', !at*hing him, la'ghing
and la'ghing- It !a, $ad- It !a, $ad ,o- I $ d'rn i+ I *o'ld , anything to
la'gh at- 3*a', thr 2',t aint nothing 2',ti+i, th dli$rat d,tr'*tion
o+ !hat a man ha, $'ilt !ith hi, o!n ,!at and ,tord th +r'it o+ hi, ,!at
into-
3't I aint ,o ,ho that r a man ha, th right to ,ay !hat i, *ra4y and
!hat aint- It., li( thr !a, a +llo! in /ry man that., don a0pa,t th
,anity or th in,anity, that !at*h, th ,an and th in,an doing, o+ that man
!ith th ,am horror and th ,am a,toni,hmnt-
:a$ody
I ,aid, 8I r*(on a man in a tight might lt 3ill ?arnr pat*h him 'p li( a
damn m'l, $'t I $ damnd i+ th man that.d lt An, 3'ndrn trat him !ith ra!
*mnt aint got mor ,par lg, than I ha/-8
8Thy 2',t aimd to a, hit ,om,8 h ,aid-
8Aimd, hll,8 I ,aid- 8%hat in hll did Arm,tid man $y /n ltting thm
p't yo' on that !agon again>8
8Hit !a, gittin right noti*a$l,8 h ,aid- 8% n/r had tim to !ait-8 I
2',t loo(d at him- 8Hit n/r $othrd m non,8 h ,aid-
8Dont yo' li thr and try to tll m yo' rod ,i6 day, on a !agon
!itho't ,pring,, !ith a $ro(n lg and it n/r $othrd yo'-8
8It n/r $othrd m m'*h,8 h ,aid-
8Yo' man, it n/r $othrd An, m'*h,8 I ,aid- 8No mor than it $othrd
him to thro! that poor d/il do!n in th p'$li* ,trt and hand*'++ him li( a
damn m'rdrr- Dont tll m- And dont tll m it aint going to $othr yo' to
lo, ,i6ty0odd ,1'ar in*h, o+ ,(in to gt that *on*rt o++- And dont tll m
it aint going to $othr yo' to ha/ to limp aro'nd on on ,hort lg +or th
$alan* o+ yo'r li+00i+ yo' !al( at all again- Con*rt,8 I ,aid- 8God Amighty,
!hy didn.t An, *arry yo' to th nar,t ,a!mill and ,ti*( yo'r lg in th ,a!>
That !o'ld ha/ *'rd it- Thn yo' all *o'ld ha/ ,t'*( hi, had into th ,a!
and *'rd a !hol +amily - - - %hr i, An,, any!ay> %hat., li 'p to no!>8
8H., ta(in $a*( thm ,pad, h $orro!d,8 h ,aid-
8That., right,8 I ,aid- 8O+ *o'r, h.d ha/ to $orro! a ,pad to $'ry hi,
!i+ !ith- <nl,, h *o'ld $orro! a hol in th gro'nd- Too $ad yo' all didn.t
p't him in it too - - - Do, that h'rt>8
8Not to ,pa( o+,8 h ,aid, and th ,!at $ig a, mar$l, r'nning do!n hi,
+a* and hi, +a* a$o't th *olor o+ $lotting papr-
8Co'r, not,8 I ,aid- 8A$o't n6t ,'mmr yo' *an ho$$l aro'nd +in on
thi, lg- Thn it !ont $othr yo', not to ,pa( o+ --- I+ yo' had anything yo'
*o'ld *all l'*(, yo' might ,ay it !a, l'*(y thi, i, th ,am lg yo' $ro(
$+or,8 I ,aid-
8Hit., !hat pa! ,ay,,8 h ,aid-
7a*Go!an
It happnd I am $a*( o+ th pr,*ription *a,, po'ring 'p ,om *ho*olat ,a'*,
!hn )ody *om, $a*( and ,ay,, 8Say, S(t, thr., a !oman 'p +ront that !ant,
to , th do*tor and !hn I ,aid %hat do*tor yo' !ant to ,, ,h ,aid ,h
!ant, to , th do*tor that !or(, hr and !hn I ,aid Thr aint any do*tor
!or(, hr, ,h 2',t ,tood thr, loo(ing $a*( thi, !ay-8
8%hat (ind o+ a !oman i, it>8 I ,ay,- 8Tll hr to go 'p,tair, to Al+ord.,
o++i*-8
8Co'ntry !oman,8 h ,ay,-
8Snd hr to th *o'rtho',,8 I ,ay,- 8Tll hr all th do*tor, ha/ gon
to 7mphi, to a 3ar$r,. Con/ntion-8
8All right,8 h ,ay,, going a!ay- 8Sh loo(, prtty good +or a *o'ntry
girl,8 h ,ay,-
8%ait,8 I ,ay,- H !aitd and I !nt and ppd thro'gh th *ra*(- 3't I
*o'ldn.t tll nothing 6*pt ,h had a good lg again,t th light- 8I, ,h
yo'ng, yo' ,ay>8 I ,ay,-
8Sh loo(, li( a prtty hot mamma, +or a *o'ntry girl,8 h ,ay,-
8Ta( thi,,8 I ,ay,, gi/ing him th *ho*olat- I too( o++ my apron and
!nt 'p thr- Sh loo(d prtty good- On o+ thm $la*( yd on, that loo(
li( ,h.d a, ,oon p't a (ni+ in yo' a, not i+ yo' t!o0timd hr- Sh loo(d
prtty good- Thr !a,n.t no$ody l, in th ,tor@ it !a, dinnr tim-
8%hat *an I do +or yo'>8 I ,ay,-
8Ar yo' th do*tor>8 ,h ,ay,-
8S'r,8 I ,ay,- Sh 1'it loo(ing at m and !a, (ind o+ loo(ing aro'nd-
8Can ! go $a*( yondr>8 ,h ,ay,-
It !a, 2',t a 1'artr pa,t t!l/, $'t I !nt and told )ody to (ind o+ !at*h o't
and !hi,tl i+ th old man *om in ,ight, $*a', h n/r got $a*( $+or on-
8Yo' $ttr lay o++ o+ that,8 )ody ,ay,- 8HAll +ir yo'r ,trn o't o+
hr ,o 1'i*( yo' *ant !in(-8
8H dont n/r gt $a*( $+or on,8 I ,ay,- 8Yo' *an , him go into th
po,to++i*- Yo' (p yo'r y pld, no!, and gi/ m a !hi,tl-8
8%hat yo' going to do>8 h ,ay,-
8Yo' (p yo'r y o't- I.ll tll yo' latr-8
8Aint yo' going to gi/ m no ,*ond, on it>8 h ,ay,-
8%hat th hll do yo' thin( thi, i,>8 I ,ay,@ 8a ,t'd+arm> Yo' !at*h o't
+or him- I.m going into *on+rn*-8
So I go on to th $a*(- I ,toppd at th gla,, and ,moothd my hair, thn
I !nt $hind th pr,*ription *a,, !hr ,h !a, !aiting- Sh i, loo(ing at
th mdi*in *a$int, thn ,h loo(, at m-
8No!, madam,8 I ,ay,@ 8!hat i, yo'r tro'$l>8
8It., th +mal tro'$l,8 ,h ,ay,, !at*hing m- 8I got th mony,8 ,h
,ay,-
8Ah,8 I ,ay,- 8Ha/ yo' got +mal tro'$l, or do yo' !ant +mal
tro'$l,> I+ ,o, yo' *om to th right do*tor-8 Thm *o'ntry popl- Hal+ th
tim thy dont (no! !hat thy !ant, and th $alan* o+ th tim thy *ant tll
it to yo'- Th *lo*( ,aid t!nty pa,t t!l/-
8No,8 ,h ,ay,-
8No !hi*h>8 I ,ay,-
8I aint had it,8 ,h ,ay,- 8That., it-8 Sh loo(d at m- 8I got th
mony,8 ,h ,ay,-
So I (n! !hat ,h !a, tal(ing a$o't-
8Oh,8 I ,ay,- 8Yo' got ,omthing in yo'r $lly yo' !i,h yo' didn.t ha/-8
Sh loo(, at m- 8Yo' !i,h yo' had a littl mor or a littl l,,, h'h>8
8I got th mony,8 ,h ,ay,- 8H ,aid I *o'ld git ,omthing at th
dr'g,tor +or hit,8
8%ho ,aid ,o>8 I ,ay,-
8H did,8 ,h ,ay,, loo(ing at m-
8Yo' dont !ant to *all no nam,,8 I ,ay,- 8Th on that p't th a*orn in
yo'r $lly> H th on that told yo'>8 Sh dont ,ay nothing- 8Yo' aint marrid,
ar yo'>8 I ,ay,- I n/r ,a! no ring- 3't Li( a, not, thy aint hard yt o't
thr that thy ', ring,-
8I got th mony,8 ,h ,ay,- Sh ,ho!d it to m, tid 'p in hr
hand(r*hi+5 a tn ,pot-
8I.ll ,!ar yo' ha/,8 I ,ay,- 8H gi/ it to yo'>8
8Y,,8 ,h ,ay,-
8%hi*h on>8 I ,ay,- Sh loo(, at m- 8%hi*h on o+ thm gi/ it to yo'>8
8It aint $'t on,8 ,h ,ay,- Sh loo(, at m-
8Go on,8 I ,ay,- Sh dont ,ay nothing- Th tro'$l a$o't th *llar i,, it
aint $'t on !ay o't and that., $a*( 'p th in,id ,tair,- Th *lo*( ,ay,
t!nty0+i/ to on- 8A prtty girl li( yo',8 I ,ay,-
Sh loo(, at m- Sh $gin, to ti th mony $a*( 'p in th hand(r*hi+-
8=6*', m a min't,8 I ,ay,- I go aro'nd th pr,*ription *a,- 8Did yo' har
a$o't that +llo! ,praind hi, ar>8 I ,ay,- 8A+tr that h *o'ldn.t /n har a
$l*h-8
8Yo' $ttr gt hr o't +rom $a*( thr $+or th old man *om,,8 )ody
,ay,-
8I+ yo'.ll ,tay 'p thr in +ront !hr h pay, yo' to ,tay, h !ont *at*h
no$ody $'t m,8 I ,ay,-
H go, on, ,lo!, to!ard th +ront 8%hat yo' doing to hr, S(t>8 h
,ay,-
8I *ant tll yo',8 I ,ay,- .It !o'ldn.t $ thi*al- Yo' go on 'p thr and
!at*h-8
8Say, S(t,8 h ,ay,-
8Ah, go on,8 I ,ay,- BI aint doing nothing $'t +illing a pr,*ription-8
8H may not do nothing a$o't that !oman $a*( thr, $'t i+ h +ind, yo'
mon(ying !ith that pr,*ription *a,, h.ll (i*( yo'r ,trn *lan do!n thm
*llar ,tair,-8
87y ,trn ha, $n (i*(d $y $iggr $a,tard, than him,8 I ,ay,- 8Go $a*(
and !at*h o't +or him, no!-8
So I *om $a*(- Th *lo*( ,aid +i+tn to on- Sh i, tying th mony in
th hand(r*hi+- 8Yo' aint th do*tor,8 ,h ,ay,-
8S'r I am,8 I ,ay,- Sh !at*h, m- 8I, it $*a', I loo( too yo'ng, or
am I too hand,om>8 I ,ay,- 8% ',d to ha/ a $'n*h o+ old !atr02ointd
do*tor, hr,8 I ,ay,@ 8)++r,on ',d to $ a (ind o+ Old Do*tor,. Hom +or
thm- 3't $',in,, ,tartd +alling o++ and +ol(, ,tayd ,o !ll 'ntil on day
thy +o'nd o't that th !omn !o'ldn.t n/r gt ,i*( at all- So thy r'n all
th old do*tor, o't and got ', yo'ng good0loo(ing on, that th !omn !o'ld li(
and thn th !omn $g'n to gt ,i*( again and ,o $',in,, pi*(d 'p- Thy.r
doing that all o/r th *o'ntry- Hadn.t yo' hard a$o't it> 7ay$ it., $*a',
yo' aint n/r ndd a do*tor-8
8I nd on no!,8 ,h ,ay,-
8And yo' *om to th right on,8 I ,ay,- 8I alrady told yo' that-8
8Ha/ yo' got ,omthing +or it>8 ,h ,ay,- 8I got th mony-8
8%ll,8 I ,ay,, 8o+ *o'r, a do*tor ha, to larn all ,ort, o+ thing, !hil
h., larning to roll *aloml@ h *ant hlp him,l+- 3't I dont (no! a$o't yo'r
tro'$l-8
8H told m I *o'ld gt ,omthing- H told m I *o'ld gt it at th
dr'g,tor-8
8Did h tll yo' th nam o+ it>8 I ,ay,- 8Yo' $ttr go $a*( and a,(
him-8
Sh 1'it loo(ing at m, (ind o+ t'rning th hand(r*hi+ in hr hand,- 8I
got to do ,omthing,8 ,h ,ay,-
8Ho! $ad do yo' !ant to do ,omthing>8 I ,ay,- Sh loo(, at m- 8O+
*o'r,, a do*tor larn, all ,ort, o+ thing, +ol(, dont thin( h (no!,- 3't h
aint ,'ppo,d to tll all h (no!,- It., again,t th la!-8
<p +ront )ody ,ay,, 8S(t-8
8=6*', m a min't,8 I ,ay,- I !nt 'p +ront- 8Do yo' , him>8 I ,ay,-
8Aint yo' don yt>8 h ,ay,- 87ay$ yo' $ttr *om 'p hr and !at*h and lt
m do that *on,'lting-8
87ay$ yo'.ll lay a gg,8 I ,ay,- I *om $a*(- Sh i, loo(ing at m- 8O+
*o'r, yo' rali, that I *o'ld $ p't in th pnitntiary +or doing !hat yo'
!ant,8 I ,ay,- 8I !o'ld lo, my li*n, and thn I.d ha/ to go to !or(- Yo'
rali, that>8
8I aint got $'t tn dollar,,8 ,h ,ay,- 8I *o'ld $ring th r,t n6t
month, may$-8
8:ooh,8 I ,ay,, 8tn dollar,> Yo' ,, I *ant p't no pri* on my (no!ldg
and ,(ill- Crtainly not +or no littl paltry ,a!$'*(-8
Sh loo(, at m- Sh dont /n $lin(- 8%hat yo' !ant, thn>8
Th *lo*( ,aid +o'r to on- So I d*idd I $ttr gt hr o't- 8Yo' g',,
thr tim, and thn IAll ,ho! yo',8 I ,ay,-
Sh dont /n $lin( hr y,- .I got to do ,omthing,8 ,h ,ay,- Sh loo(,
$hind hr and aro'nd, thn ,h loo(, to!ard th +ront- 8Gimm th mdi*in
+ir,t,8 ,h ,ay,-
8Yo' man, yo'.r rady to right no!>8 I ,ay,- 8Hr>8
8Gimm th mdi*in +ir,t,8 ,h ,ay,-
So I too( a grad'atd gla,, and (ind o+ t'rnd my $a*( to hr and pi*(d o't a
$ottl that loo(d all right, $*a', a man that !o'ld (p poi,on ,tting
aro'nd in a 'nla$lld $ottl o'ght to $ in 2ail, any!ay- It ,mlld li(
t'rpntin- I po'rd ,om into th gla,, and gi/ it to hr- Sh ,mlld it,
loo(ing at m a*ro,, th gla,,-
8Hit ,mll, li( t'rpntin,8 ,h ,ay,-
8S'r,8 I ,ay,- 8That., 2',t th $ginning o+ th tratmnt- Yo' *om $a*(
at tn o*lo*( tonight and I.ll gi/ yo' th r,t o+ it and pr+orm th
opration-8
8Opration>8 ,h ,ay,-
BIt !ont h'rt yo'- Yo'./ had th ,am opration $+or- =/r har a$o't
th hair o+ th dog>8
Sh loo(, at m- 8%ill it !or(>8 ,h ,ay,-
8S'r it.ll !or(- I+ yo' *om $a*( and gt it-8
So ,h dr'n( !hat/r it !a, !itho't $atting a y, and !nt o't- I !nt
'p +ront-
8Didn.t yo' gt it>8 )ody ,ay,-
8Gt !hat>8 I ,ay,-
8Ah, *om on,8 h ,ay,- 8I aint going to try to $at yo'r tim-8
8Oh, hr,8 I ,ay,- 8Sh 2',t !antd a littl mdi*in- Sh., got a $ad
*a, o+ dy,ntry and ,h., a littl a,hamd a$o't mntioning it !ith a ,trangr
thr-8
It !a, my night, any!ay, ,o I hlpd th old $a,tard *h*( 'p and I got
hi, hat on him and got him o't o+ th ,tor $y ight0thirty- I !nt a, +ar a,
th *ornr !ith him and !at*hd him 'ntil h pa,,d 'ndr t!o ,trt lamp, and
!nt on o't o+ ,ight- Thn I *om $a*( to th ,tor and !aitd 'ntil nin0thirty
and t'rnd o't th +ront light, and lo*(d th door and l+t 2',t on light
$'rning at th $a*(, and I !nt $a*( and p't ,om tal*'m po!dr into ,i6
*ap,'l, and land o+ *lard 'p th *llar and thn I !a, all rady-
Sh *om in 2',t at tn, $+or th *lo*( had don ,tri(ing- I lt hr in
and ,h *om in, !al(ing +a,t- I loo(d o't th door, $'t thr !a,n.t no$ody
$'t a $oy in o/rall, ,itting on th *'r$- 8Yo' !ant ,omthing>8 I ,ay,- H
n/r ,aid nothing, 2',t loo(ing at m- I lo*(d th door and t'rnd o++ th
light and !nt on $a*(- Sh !a, !aiting- Sh didn.t loo( at m no!-
8%hr i, it>8 ,h ,aid-
I ga/ hr th $o6 o+ *ap,'l,- Sh hld th $o6 in hr hand, loo(ing at
th *ap,'l,-
8Ar yo' ,'r it.ll !or(>8 ,h ,ay,-
8S'r,8 I ,ay,- 8%hn yo' ta( th r,t o+ th tratmnt-8
8%hr do I ta( it>8 ,h ,ay,-
8Do!n in th *llar,8 I ,ay,-
?ardaman
No! it i, !idr and lightr, $'t th ,tor, ar dar( $*a', thy ha/ all gon
hom- Th ,tor, ar dar(, $'t th light, pa,, on th !indo!, !hn ! pa,,- Th
light, ar in th tr, aro'nd th *o'rtho',- Thy roo,t in th tr,, $'t th
*o'rtho', i, dar(- Th *lo*( on it loo(, +o'r !ay,, $*a', it i, not dar(- Th
moon i, not dar( too- Not /ry dar(- )arl he went to Jackson is my brother )arl
is my brother Only it !a, o/r that !ay, ,hining on th tra*(-
8Lt., go that !ay, D!y Dll,8 I ,ay-
8%hat +or>8 D!y Dll ,ay,- Th tra*( !nt ,hining aro'nd th !indo!, it
rd on th tra*(- 3't ,h ,aid h !o'ld not ,ll it to th to!n $oy,- 83't it
!ill $ thr Chri,tma,,8 D!y Dll ,ay,- 8Yo'.ll ha/ to !ait till thn, !hn
h $ring, it $a*(-8
)arl went to Jackson. 1ots of people didnt go to Jackson. )arl is my
brother. 6y brother is going to Jackson
%hil ! !al( th light, go aro'nd, roo,ting in th tr,- On all ,id, it
i, th ,am- Thy go aro'nd th *o'rtho', and thn yo' *annot , thm- 3't yo'
*an , thm in th $la*( !indo!, $yond- Thy ha/ all gon hom to $d 6*pt
m and D!y Dll-
4oing on the train to Jackson. 6y brother
Thr i, a light in th ,tor, +ar $a*(- In th !indo! ar t!o $ig gla,,,
o+ ,oda !atr, rd and grn- T!o mn *o'ld not drin( thm- T!o m'l, *o'ld not-
T!o *o!, *o'ld not- )arl
A man *om, to th door- H loo(, at D!y Dll-
8Yo' !ait o't hr,8 D!y Dll ,ay,-
8%hy *ant I *om in>8 I ,ay- 8I !ant to *om in, too-8
8Yo' !ait o't hr,8 ,h ,ay,-
8All right,8 I ,ay-
D!y Dll go, in-
)arl is my brother. )arl went cra3y
Th !al( i, hardr than ,itting on th gro'nd- H i, in th opn door- H
loo(, at m- 8Yo' !ant ,omthing>8 h ,ay,- Hi, had i, ,li*(- )!l., had i,
,li*( ,omtim,- Ca,h., had i, not ,li*(- )arl he went to Jackson my brother
)arl In th ,trt h at a $anana- /ouldnt you rather have bananas. )ewey
)ell said. 'ou wait till 0hristmas. Itll be there then. Then you can see it.
!o we are going to have some bananas. /e are going to have a bag full, me and
)ewey )ell. H lo*(, th door- D!y Dll i, in,id- Thn th light !in(, o't-
-e went to Jackson. -e went cra3y and went to Jackson both. 1ots of
people didnt go cra3y. "a and 0ash and Jewel and )ewey )ell and me didnt go
cra3y. /e never did go cra3y. /e didnt go to Jackson either. )arl
I har th *o! a long tim, *lopping on th ,trt- Thn ,h *om,
into th ,1'ar- Sh go, a*ro,, th ,1'ar, hr had do!n *lopping - Sh
lo!,- Thr !a, nothing in th ,1'ar $+or ,h lo!d, $'t it !a,n.t mpty- No!
it i, mpty a+tr ,h lo!d- Sh go, on, *lopping - Sh lo!,- 6y brother
is )arl. -e went to Jackson on the train. -e didnt go on the train to go
cra3y. -e went cra3y in our wagon. )arl Sh ha, $n in thr a long tim- And
th *o! i, gon too- A long tim- Sh ha, $n in thr longr than th *o! !a,-
3't not a, long a, mpty- )arl is my brother. 6y brother )arl
D!y Dll *om, o't- Sh loo(, at m-
8Lt., go aro'nd that !ay no!,8 I ,ay-
Sh loo(, at m- 8It aint going to !or(,8 ,h ,ay,- 8That ,on o+ a $it*h-8
8%hat aint going to !or(, D!y Dll>8
8I 2',t (no! it !ont,8 ,h ,ay,- Sh i, not loo(ing at anything- 8I 2',t
(no! it-8
8Lt., go that !ay,8 I ,ay-
8% got to go $a*( to th hotl- It., lat- % got to ,lip $a*( in-8
8Cant ! go $y and ,, any!ay>8
8Hadn.t yo' rathr ha/ $anana,> Hadn.t yo' rathr>8
8All right-8 6y brother he went cra3y and he went to Jackson too. Jackson
is further away than cra3y
8It !ont !or(,8 D!y Dll ,ay,- 8I 2',t (no! it !ont-8
8%hat !ont !or(>8 I ,ay- -e had to get on the train to go to Jackson. I
have not been on the train, but )arl has been on the train. )arl. )arl is my
brother. )arl. )arl
Darl
Darl ha, gon to )a*(,on- Thy p't him on th train, la'ghing, do!n th long *ar
la'ghing, th had, t'rning li( th had, o+ o!l, !hn h pa,,d- 8%hat ar yo'
la'ghing at>8 I ,aid-
8Y, y, y, y, y,-8
T!o mn p't him on th train- Thy !or mi,mat*hd *oat,, $'lging $hind
o/r thir right hip po*(t,- Thir n*(, !r ,ha/d to a hairlin, a, tho'gh
th r*nt and ,im'ltano', $ar$r, had had a *hal(0lin li( Ca,h.,- 8I, it th
pi,tol, yo'.r la'ghing at>8 I ,aid- 8%hy do yo' la'gh>8 I ,aid- 8I, it $*a',
yo' hat th ,o'nd o+ la'ghing>8
Thy p'lld t!o ,at, togthr ,o Darl *o'ld ,it $y th !indo! to la'gh-
On o+ thm ,at $,id him, th othr ,at on th ,at +a*ing him, riding
$a*(!ard- On o+ thm had to rid $a*(!ard $*a', th ,tat., mony ha, a +a*
to a*h $a*(,id and a $a*(,id to a*h +a*, and thy ar riding on th ,tat.,
mony !hi*h i, in*,t- A ni*(l ha, a !oman on on ,id and a $'++alo on th
othr@ t!o +a*, and no $a*(- I dont (no! !hat that i,- Darl had a littl ,py0
gla,, h got in &ran* at th !ar- In it it had a !oman and a pig !ith t!o $a*(,
and no +a*- I (no! !hat that i,- 8I, that !hy yo' ar la'ghing, Darl>8
8Y, y, y, y, y, y,-8
Th !agon ,tand, on th ,1'ar, hit*hd, th m'l, motionl,,, th rin, !rappd
a$o't th ,at0,pring, th $a*( o+ th !agon to!ard th *o'rtho',- It loo(, no
di++rnt +rom a h'ndrd othr !agon, thr@ )!l ,tanding $,id it and
loo(ing 'p th ,trt li( any othr man in to!n that day, yt thr i,
,omthing di++rnt, di,tin*ti/- Thr i, a$o't it that 'n0mi,ta(a$l air o+
d+init and imminnt dpart'r that train, ha/, prhap, d' to th +a*t that
D!y Dll and ?ardaman on th ,at and Ca,h on a pallt in th !agon $d ar
ating $anana, +rom a papr $ag- 8I, that !hy yo' ar la'ghing, Darl>8
Darl i, o'r $rothr, o'r $rothr Darl- O'r $rothr Darl in a *ag in
)a*(,on !hr, hi, grimd hand, lying light in th 1'it intr,ti*,, loo(ing
o't h +oam,-
8Y, y, y, y, y, y, y, y,-8
D!y Dll
%hn h ,a! th mony I ,aid, 8It., not my mony, it do,n.t $long to m-8
8%ho, i, it, thn>8
BIt., Cora T'll., mony- It., 7r, T'll.,- I ,old th *a(, +or it-8
BTn dollar, +or t!o *a(,>8
BDont yo' to'*h it- It., not min-8
8Yo' n/r had thm *a(,- It., a li- It !a, thm S'nday *loth, yo' had
in that pa*(ag-8
8Dont yo' to'*h itD I+ yo' ta( it yo' ar a thi+-8
87y o!n da'ghtr a**',, m o+ $ing a thi+- 7y o!n da'ghtr-8
8:a- :a-8
8I ha/ +d yo' and ,hltrd yo'- I gi/ yo' lo/ and *ar, yt my o!n
da'ghtr, th da'ghtr o+ nay dad !i+, *all, m a thi+ o/r hr mothr.,
gra/-8
8It., not min, I tll yo'- I+ it !a,, God (no!, yo' *o'ld ha/ it-8
8%hr did yo' gt tn dollar,>8
8:a- :a-8
8Yo' !ont tll m- Did yo' *om $y it ,o ,ham+'l yo' dar not>8
BIt., not min, I tll yo'- Cant yo' 'ndr,tand it., not min>8
8It., not li( I !o'ldn.t pay it $a*(- 3't ,h *all, hr o!n +athr a
thi+-8
8I *ant, I tll yo'- I tll yo' it., not my mony- God (no!, yo' *o'ld
ha/ it-8
8I !o'ldn.t ta( it- 7y o!n $orn da'ghtr that ha, t my +ood +or
,/ntn yar,, $gr'dg, m th loan o+ tn dollar,-8
8It., not min- I *ant-8
8%ho, i, it, thn>8
8It !a, gi/ to m- To $'y ,omthing !ith-8
8To $'y !hat !ith>8
8:a- :a-8
8It., 2',t a loan- God (no!,, I hat +or my $loodn *hildrn to rproa*h
m- 3't I gi/ thm !hat !a, min !itho't ,tint- Chr+'l I gi/ thm, !itho't
,tint- And no! thy dny m- Addi- It !a, l'*(y +or yo' yo' did, Addi-8
8:a- :a-8
8God (no!, it i,-8
H too( th mony and !nt o't-
Ca,h
So !hn ! ,toppd thr to $orro! th ,ho/l, ! hard th graphophon playing
in th ho',, and ,o !hn ! got don !ith th ,ho/l, pa ,ay,, 8I r*(on I
$ttr ta( thm $a*(-8
So ! !nt $a*( to th ho',- 8% $ttr ta( Ca,h on to :a$ody.,,8 )!l
,aid-
8It !ont ta( $'t a min't,8 pa ,aid- H got do!n +rom th !agon- Th
m',i* !a, not playing no!-
8Lt ?ardaman do it,8 )!l ,aid- 8H *an do it in hal+ th tim yo' *an-
Or hr, yo' lt m008
8I r*(on I $ttr do it,8 pa ,ay,- 8Long a, it !a, m that $orro!d
thm-8
So ! ,t in th !agon, $'t th m',i* !a,n.t playing no!- I r*(on it., a
good thing ! aint got r a on o+ thm- I r*(on I !o'ldn.t n/r gt no !or(
don a0tall +or li,tning to it- I dont (no! i+ a littl m',i* aint a$o't th
ni*,t thing a +llo! *an ha/- Sm, li( !hn h *om, in tird o+ a night, it
aint nothing *o'ld r,t him li( ha/ing a littl m',i* playd and him r,ting- I
ha/ , thm that ,h't, 'p li( a hand0grip, !ith a handl and all, ,o a +llo!
*an *arry it !ith him !hr/r h !ant,-
8%hat yo' r*(on h., doing>8 )!l ,ay,- 8I *o'ld a totd thm ,ho/l,
$a*( and +orth tn tim, $y no!-8
8Lt him ta( hi, tim,8 I ,aid- 8H aint a, ,pry a, yo', rmm$r-8
8%hy didn.t h lt m ta( thm $a*(, thn> % got to gt yo'r lg +i6d
'p ,o ! *an ,tart hom tomorro!-8
8% got plnty o+ tim,8 I ,aid- 8I !ondr !hat thm ma*hin, *o,t, on th
in,tallmnt-8
8In,tallmnt o+ !hat>8 )!l ,aid- 8%hat yo' got to $'y it !ith>8
8A +llo! *ant tll,8 I ,aid- 8I *o'ld a $o'ght that on +rom S'ratt +or
+i/ dollar,, I $li/-8
And ,o pa *om $a*( and ! !nt to :a$ody.,- %hil ! !a, thr pa ,aid
h !a, going to th $ar$r,hop and gt a ,ha/- And ,o that night h ,aid h had
,om $',in,, to tnd to, (ind o+ loo(ing a!ay +rom ', !hil h ,aid it, !ith
hi, hair *om$d !t and ,li*( and ,mlling ,!t !ith pr+'m, $'t I ,aid la/
him $@ I !o'ldn.t mind haring a littl mor o+ that m',i* my,l+-
And ,o n6t morning h !a, gon again, thn h *om $a*( and told ', to
gt hit*hd 'p and rady to ta( o't and h !o'ld mt ', and !hn thy !a, gon
h ,aid,
8I dont r*(on yo' got no mor mony-8
8:a$ody 2',t gi/ m no'gh to pay th hotl !ith,8 I ,aid- 8% dont nd
nothing l,, do !>8
8No,8 pa ,aid@ 8no- % dont nd nothing-8 H ,tood thr, not loo(ing at
m-
8I+ it i, ,omthing ! got to ha/, I r*(on may$ :a$ody,8 I ,aid-
8No,8 h ,aid@ 8it aint nothing l,- Yo' all !ait +or m at th *ornr-8
So )!l got th tam and *om +or m and thy +i6d m a pallt in th
!agon and ! dro/ a*ro,, th ,1'ar to th *ornr !hr pa ,aid, and ! !a,
!aiting thr in th !agon, !ith D!y Dll and ?ardaman ating $anana,, !hn !
, thm *oming 'p th ,trt- :a !a, *oming along !ith that (ind o+ dar,om
and hangdog loo( all at on* li( !hn h ha, $n 'p to ,omthing h (no!, ma
aint going to li(, *arrying a grip in hi, hand, and )!l ,ay,,
8%ho., that>8
Thn ! , it !a,n.t th grip that mad him loo( di++rnt@ it !a, hi, +a*,
and )!l ,ay,, 8H got thm tth-8
It !a, a +a*t- It mad him loo( a +oot tallr, (ind o+ holding hi, had
'p, hangdog and pro'd too, and thn ! , hr $hind him, *arrying th othr
grip00a (ind o+ d'*(0,hapd !oman all dr,,d 'p, !ith thm (ind o+ hard0loo(ing
pop y, li( ,h !a, daring r a man to ,ay nothing- And thr ! ,t !at*hing
thm, !ith D!y Dll., and ?ardaman., mo'th hal+ opn and hal+0t $anana, in
thir hand, and hr *oming aro'nd +rom $hind pa, loo(ing at ', li( ,h dard
r a man- And thn I , that th grip ,h !a, *arrying !a, on o+ thm littl
graphophon,- It !a, +or a +a*t, all ,h't 'p a, prtty a, a pi*t'r, and /ry0
tim a n! r*ord !o'ld *om +rom th mail ordr and ', ,tting in th ho', in
th !intr, li,tning to it, I !o'ld thin( !hat a ,ham Darl *o'ldn.t $ to
n2oy it too- 3't it i, $ttr ,o +or him- Thi, !orld i, not hi, !orld@ thi,
li+ hi, li+-
8It., Ca,h and )!l and ?ardaman and D!y Dll,8 pa ,ay,, (ind o+
hangdog and pro'd too, !ith hi, tth and all, /n i+ h !o'ldn.t loo( at ',-
87t 7r, 3'ndrn,8 h ,ay,-