The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 126: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SINGING TEACHER. An unlooked for episode in a Sinking Mountain courtship—The dogged purpose of Jim Turpin after he discovers the disloyalty of his betrothed, and the sequel to the outcome. GBATED upon a high point of rock on the north side of Sinking Mountain, were two men, silently gazing out over the lower hills and valleys. The . two men wore heavy boots, dark shirts and broad brimmed hats, with thé brims turned up and pinned to the crowns in front with hawthorns. One of the men held a long rifle across his lap, and the other wore a belt in which were a rough hunting knife and a pistol. ‘‘’Pears like the revenuers air keepin’ kinder quiet of late,’’ remarked the smaller of the two men. '“* Yes,’’ assented the other. ‘“ Mebbe the money’s gin out, though I guess thet ain’t hit, neither, ’case they must have a lot of it.’’ The larger man did not reply, and for several minutes the silence was un- broken except by the sounds of a chopping axe, which was being vigorously handled by some one on the opposite hillside. At length the smaller man again spoke, this time turning half around in order to face the big man, while a mischievous light shone from his eyes. “Thinking about Jo and the singin’ teacher, I reckon?” There was no reply, and in a few moments the man continued, ‘‘ Thet fel- ler’s got a purty good class down at the Fork school house. He’s an uncom- mon good lookin’ chap; an’ Jo Randall’s a gal ’at likes good looks, or I guess some 0’ the rest on us’d stand a better chance alongside o’ you, not sayin’ nothin’ no ways flatterin’, Jim.’’ ““ Have you seed ’im, Ike ?’’ Jim wanted to know. ‘“Qh, yes. I’ve been down thar to singin’ once or twice. He’s eddi- cated, an’ wears purty good clothes ; an’ some on ’em ’lowed he come from Atlanta.’’ Jim frowned, but did not say anything, and the other went on. ‘‘ He’sa boardin’ at old Burt Randall’s, an’ fust off, Jim, he’ll have Jo’s heart clean away from you. -I tell you, you better sorter go down an’ see about it. Thar’s no tellin’ about these ’ere fellows that come from town.’ Jim rose, his towering figure throwing a huge shadow behind him as he swung the long old rifle over his shoulder. | ‘I guess Ill goto that ’ar singin’ school tonight,’’ he said as he turned and strode away along the narrow path, closely followed by his companion. The Fork school house was situated on the south side of the mountain near where the small stream emptied into the Chatooga River; and here Lester Wilkes was teaching a singing school at night. Wilkes had come up into the mountains to rusticate. He was a good singer, and had announced eens ep OL (E(0) aa) (E(0) An) Eboo ESS tat ==;