|
Every memory that the story brought to life is part of him. Candler went on
reflectively, or no, maybe a little less thanthat. And as quiet a fellow as you
ever saw,said Mr. Candler declared,with a full countrified laugh, it was
nothing but a mud-hole downin the holler. It gothim down so that he was nothing
but skin and bones, he was walkingaround like a dead man.
Just sittingthere all
alone and doing nothing? Every memory that the story brought to life is part of
him. His name was John Hugh William Macpherson Marriott. Ive seen old Captain
Porters hawgs wallerinaround in it manys the time. Ben says, still scowling up
and downthe want-ads.
The train wasin full speed now, and they were rushing on
across the dark andlonely earth again.
Not that he was ever much like a boy, he
grunted suddenly, with asurprising flash of insight.
Ill do it myself, sick and
feeble as I am!
I guess he was justmoving in at the time. Thereare too many
people sticking their noses in other peoplesbusiness, as it is.
I remember now,
the swarthy little man said thoughtfully, with afar-away look in his eye.
And
for a moment,exhausted by these eulogies, he wheezed rapidly.
And I hope to
Godyou keep it better than the rest of us!
It got so he couldnt sleep, he
couldntrest, he couldnt do anything but walk the floor with it.
And pleased
with his story and thememory it evoked, Mr.
Well, I was mighty sorry tohear
about his death.
Ive seen old Captain Porters hawgs wallerinaround in it manys
the time. Flood, still wheezing rapidly for breath andgazing at the spittoon. I
was talking to him the other dayand he told me he didnt have an ache or a pain
in the world.
And for a moment,exhausted by these eulogies, he wheezed rapidly.
Candler in their look of stupefiedcuriosity. And in a curious way that great
estate hadshaped the whole life of the town. I could as soon look for help from
a coupleof God-damned wooden Indians!
Yes, sir, the boy stammered confusedly,
getting to hisfeet.
He hears him mutteringunderneath his breath the mounting
preludes of his huge invective.
Now he wasnt one of your bigtalkers whod
promise everything and know nothing. But few of them had ever beeninside the
place or known the wonderful people who lived there.
And I hope to Godyou keep
it better than the rest of us! Itd drive me crazy to be alone like that!
The
train wasin full speed now, and they were rushing on across the dark andlonely
earth again.
|