The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

the ground slopes gently to the river-bank, which, at this point, is sheer and high enough to be well above the water at flood periods. The road, winding down the hill

on one side, at a normal stage of water, by a narrow shelf of land between the water's edge and the foot of the main bank. A flight of rude steps led down from the garden

stone chimney of a clubhouse which was built and used by people who lived in the big, noisy city many miles from the peaceful Ozark scene. From the shore of The Bend, opposite and above Auntie Sue's place, beyond the willows that fringe the water's edge, the low bottom-lands extend back three-quarters of a mile to the foot of a heavily timbered ridge, beyo

uiet reaches of The Bend above and rushing away with fast increasing speed between the narrowing banks until, in all their vicious might, they dashed full against the Elbow Rock cliff, where, boiling and tossing in mad fury, they roared away at a right angle and so around the point and on to another quiet stretch below. And many were the tales of stirring adventure and tr

e bottom-lands on the other side of the stream, came the long-drawn "Wh-o-e-e! Wh-o-e-e!" of farmer Jackson calling his hogs. From the hillside, back of the house, sounded the deep, mellow tones of a cowbell, telling Auntie Sue that neighbor Tom's cattle were going home from their woodland pastures. A company of crows crossed the river on leisure wing, toward some evening rendezvous. A waterfowl flapped slowly up the stream. And h

ace of the gray-haired woman, who watched with such loving reverence, reflected the beauty of the sc

motions of a too-poignant sweetness, while in her eyes shone the soft light of fondest memories and dearest dreams. Several times she turned her head to look about, as if wish

come and see this wond

awling voice, so characteristic of the Souther

, as she called again with gentle patience: "Do come and see the sunset, Judy, de

the scrawny, wry neck; the old-young face, thin and sallow, with furtive, beady-black eyes, gave no hint of her years. As a matter of fact, I happen

ssion of mingled defiance, suspicion, and affection on her alm

" Auntie Sue answered, with bright animation; and,

n her dry, high-pitched monotone: "I don't reckon as how you-all are a-needin' much help, seein' as how you

understand, child? It adds so to one's happiness to share lovely scenes like this. It makes it all so much-so much-well,-BIGGER, to have some one enjoy it with

lovingly about the crooked shoulders of the mountain girl, pointed again toward t

r. And there might have been a faint touch of softness, now, in the querulous monotone as Judy said: "I can't see as how hit could be ary bigger. Hain't ary reason, as I kin see, why hit should

ight, Judy? It seems to me I

l. "I was borned over there on yon side that there flat-topped mountain, nigh the mouth of Red Creek. I growed up on the river, mostly;-learned ter

st. "Look down there, ma'm! See how black the old river is where she smashes inter Elbow Rock, an' how white them waves be where the water biles an' throws hitse

ed to face, again, the q

d hills are mirrored in the river; and how the water holds the color of the s

test. "If there is a God, like you-all are allus a-talkin' 'bout, an' if He sure

ded Auntie Sue. "P

so all-fired good, what did He go an' let my pap git drunk for, an' beat me like he done when I was a baby,

silence: "See, Judy, dear; the light is almost gone now, and there is not a cloud anywhere. Yesterday evening, you remember, we c

mfortable rustic rocking-chair from the farther end of the porch; then disappeared into the house, to return a moment later with a

awkwardly arranging the wrap about the thin old shoulders. "Won't you bring a chair for yourself

ich as that ter me. I'll set awhile with you but I ain't a-needin' no chair." And

light night lay over the land. A gentle breeze stole over the mountains, rustled softly

ce neighbor Tom brung you-all a right smart bunch

's gentle voice as she returned, "The l

did

weeks, now, since I sent them th

a-trustin' them there ornery post-office fellers with, even if hit was funny, new-fangled money like that there was. Why, ma'm, yo

hn sent it just in a letter all the way from Buenos Aires. And, you remember, I folded it up in extra heav

, so long as hit warn't mailed at the Ferry where o

ll right, ma'm. I wouldn't worry myself, if I was you. That there bank-place, like as not, gits er right smar

waiting to find out if the notes are genuine; or it may be that their letter to me went astray, and will hav

sky. And, as the old gentlewoman watched the queen of the night rising higher and higher on her royal course, and saw t

eyes of twenty could not see that which was so clear to the eyes of seventy. Poor Judy! The river, sweeping on its winding way through the hills, from the springs of its far-away beginn

st, getting to her feet and standing in her twisted attitude, with her wry

ghed her low c

'cross from the clubhouse, 'll be out, too, I reckon. When hit's moonlight, they're allus a-huntin' 'possum an' 'coon. When hit's dark, they're out on the river a-giggin' for f

s "Goodnight and sweet dreams, dear,"

nlit scene. Nor did she now, as when she had watched the sunset, crave human companionship. In spirit, she was far from

letter was