jg.paintedhouse-第47部分

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　　　Pappy　and　my　father　squeezed　into　the　front　seat　with　Mr。　Spruill；　and　off　they　went；　sliding　on　our　road；　tires　spinning；　mud　slinging　behind　them。
　　　I　went　past　the　silo　to　the　weedy　remains　of　an　old　smoke　shed　and　sat　for　an　hour　under　the　rotted　tin　roof；　watching　rain　drip　in　front　of　me。　I　was　relieved　that　Cowboy　had　left　our　farm；　and　for　this　I　thanked　God　in　a　short　but　sincere　prayer。　But　any　relief　in　his　departure　was　overshadowed　by　my　disappointment　in　Tally。　I　managed　to　hate　her　for　what　she　had　done。　I　cursed　her；　using　words　Ricky　had　taught　me；　and　when　I　had　spewed　forth　all　the　foul　language　I　could　remember；　I　asked　God　to　forgive　me。
　　　And　I　asked　Him　to　protect　Tally。
　　　
　　　It　took　the　men　two　hours　to　find　Stick　Powers。　He　said　he'd　been　en　route　from　headquarters　in　Jonesboro；　but　Pappy　said　he　looked　as　if　he'd　been　sleeping　for　a　week。　Stick　was　plainly　thrilled　to　have　such　a　high　crime　within　his　jurisdiction。　Stealing　the　truck　of　a　farmer　was　only　a　notch　below　murder　in　our　code；　and　Stick　kicked　into　high　gear。　He　radioed　every　jurisdiction　he　could　pick　up　on　his　old　radio；　and　before　long　most　of　northeast　Arkansas　was　buzzing　with　the　news。
　　　According　to　Pappy；　Stick　was　not　too　worried　about　Tally's　whereabouts。　He　guessed　correctly　that　she　had　voluntarily　run　off　with　a　Mexican；　which　was　a　low…class　and　disgraceful　thing　to　do；　but　not　exactly　a　felony；　even　though　Mr。　Spruill　kept　using　the　word　〃kidnapping。〃
　　　It　was　doubtful　that　the　two　lovebirds　would　venture　a　long　journey　in　our　truck。　They　most　certainly　wanted　to　flee　Arkansas；　and　Stick　reasoned　that　their　most　likely　means　would　be　by　bus。　They　would　be　too　suspicious　as　hitchhikers；　Arkansas　drivers　were　not　likely　to　pick　up　such　a　swarthy　character　as　Cowboy；　especially　with　a　young　white　girl　at　his　side。　〃They're　probably　on　a　bus　headed　North；〃　Stick　said。
　　　When　Pappy　told　us　this；　I　remembered　Tally's　dream　of　living　in　Canada；　a　long　way　from　the　heat　and　humidity。　She　wanted　lots　of　snow；　and　for　some　reason　she　had　chosen　Montreal　as　her　place　in　the　world。
　　　The　men　discussed　money。　My　father　did　the　math　and　guessed　that　Cowboy　had　earned　close　to　four　hundred　dollars　picking　cotton。　No　one　knew；　though；　how　much　he'd　sent　home。　Tally　had　earned　about　half　that　much　and　had　probably　saved　most　of　it。　We　knew　she'd　been　buying　house　paint　for　Trot；　but　we　had　no　idea　of　her　other　expenditures。
　　　It　was　at　this　point　in　Pappy's　narrative　that　I　wanted　to　bare　my　soul　about　Hank。　Cowboy　had　robbed　him　after　he　killed　him。　There　was　no　way　of　knowing　how　much　picking　money　Hank　had　saved；　but　I　knew　for　certain　that　there　was　250　of　Samson's　money　now　in　Cowboy's　pocket。　I　almost　blurted　this　out　as　we　sat　around　the　kitchen　table；　but　I　was　simply　too　frightened。　Cowboy　was　gone；　but　they　might　catch　him　somewhere。
　　　Wait；　I　kept　telling　myself。　Just　wait。　The　moment　will　e　when　I　can　unload　my　burdens。
　　　Whatever　their　finances；　it　was　obvious　that　Tally　and　Cowboy　had　enough　money　to　ride　a　bus　for　a　long　time。
　　　And　we　were　broke；　as　usual。　There　was　a　brief　conversation　about　how　to　replace　the　truck　in　the　event　that　it　was　never　found；　but　the　subject　was　too　painful　to　pursue。　Plus；　I　was　listening。
　　　We　ate　an　early　lunch；　then　sat　on　the　back　porch　and　watched　the　rain。
　
　
　Chapter　29
　　　
　　　Stick's　old；　loud　patrol　car　came　rolling　into　the　front　yard；　with　our　stolen　truck　right　behind　it。　Stick　got　out；　full　of　importance　because　he'd　solved　the　most　urgent　part　of　the　crime。　Black　Oak's　other　deputy　was　driving　the　truck；　which；　as　far　as　we　could　tell；　had　not　changed　at　all。　The　Spruills　ran　over；　anxious　for　some　word　about　Tally。
　　　〃Found　it　at　the　bus　station　in　Jonesboro；〃　Stick　announced　as　the　small　crowd　gathered　around　him。　〃Just　like　I　figured。〃
　　　〃Where　was　the　key？〃　asked　Pappy。
　　　〃Under　the　seat。　And　the　tank's　full　of　gas。　Don't　know　if　it　was　full　when　they　left　here；　but　it's　full　now。〃
　　　〃It　was　half　empty；〃　Pappy　said；　astonished。　We　were　all　surprised；　not　only　to　see　the　truck　again　but　to　see　it　unchanged　in　any　way。　We'd　spent　the　day　worrying　about　a　future　with　no　truck；　with　no　means　of　transportation。　We'd　be　in　the　same　boat　as　the　Latchers；　forced　to　bum　rides　to　town　from　anybody　passing　by。　I　couldn't　imagine　such　a　plight；　and　I　was　now　more　determined　than　ever　to　someday　live　in　a　city　where　folks　had　cars。
　　　〃I　guess　they　just　borrowed　it；〃　Mr。　Spruill　said；　almost　to　himself。
　　　〃That's　the　way　I　see　it；〃　Stick　said。　〃You　still　want　to　press　charges？〃　he　asked　Pappy。
　　　He　and　my　father　exchanged　frowns。　〃I　guess　not；〃　Pappy　said。
　　　〃Did　anybody　see　them？〃　Mrs。　Spruill　asked　quietly。
　　　〃Yes　ma'am。　They　bought　two　tickets　for　Chicago；　then　hung　around　the　bus　station　for　five　hours。　The　clerk　knew　somethin'　was　up；　but　figured　it　wasn't　his　business。　Runnin'　off　with　a　Mexican　ain't　the　smartest　thing　in　the　world；　but　it　ain't　no　crime。　The　clerk　said　he　watched　them　through　the　night；　and　they　tried　to　ignore　each　other　as　if　nothin'　was　happenin'。　They　wouldn't　sit　together。　But　when　the　bus　loaded　they　got　on　together。〃
　　　〃What　time　did　the　bus　leave？〃　Mr。　Spruill　asked。
　　　〃Six　this　mornin'。〃　Stick　removed　a　folded　envelope　from　his　pocket　and　handed　it　to　Mr。　Spruill。　〃Found　this　on　the　front　seat。　I　think　it's　a　note　from　Tally　to　y'all。　I　ain't　read　it。〃
　　　Mr。　Spruill　handed　it　to　Mrs。　Spruill；　who　quickly　opened　it　and　removed　a　sheet　of　paper。　She　started　reading；　and　she　began　wiping　her　eyes。　Everybody　watched　her；　waiting　without　a　sound。　Even　Trot；　who　was　hiding　behind　Bo　and　Dale；　leaned　forward　and　watched　the　letter　being　read。
　　　〃Ain't　none　o'　my　business；　ma'am；〃　Stick　said；　〃but　if　there's　any　useful　information；　then　maybe　I　need　to　know。〃
　　　Mrs。　Spruill　kept　reading；　and　when　she　finished；　she　looked　at　the　ground　and　said；　〃She　says　she　ain't　in'　home。　She　says　she　and　Cowboy　are　gonna　get　married　and　live　up　North；　where　they　can　find　good　jobs　and　such。〃　The　tears　and　sniffles　had　suddenly　vanished。　Mrs。　Spruill　was　now　more　angry　than　anything　else。　Her　daughter　hadn't　been　kidnapped；　she'd　run　off　with　a　Mexican；　and　she　was　going　to　marry　him。
　　　〃They　gonna　stay　in　Chicago？〃　Stick　asked。
　　　〃Don't　say。　Just　says　up　North。〃
　　　The　Spruills　began　drifting　away；　backpedaling　in　retreat。　My　father　thanked　Stick　and　the　other　deputy　for　bringing　our　truck　home。
　　　〃You're　gettin'　more　rain　than　most　folks；〃　Stick　said　as　he　opened　the　door　to　his　patrol　car。
　　　〃It's　wet　all　over；〃　Pappy　shot　back。
　　　〃River's　risin'　to　the　north；〃　Stick　said；　as　if　he　were　an　expert。　〃More　rain's　on　the　way。〃
　　　〃Thanks；　Stick；〃　Pappy　said。
　　　Stick　and　the　other　deputy　got　into　the　patrol　car；　Stick　settling　himself　behind　the　wheel。　Just　as　he　was　about　to　close　the　door　he　jumped　out　and　said；　〃Say；　Eli；　I　called　the　sheriff　up　at　Eureka　Springs。　He　ain't　seen　the　big　one；　Hank。　The　boy　shoulda　been　home　by　now；　don't　you　think？〃
　　　〃I　reckon。　He　left　a　week　ago。〃
　　　〃Wonder　where　he　is？〃
　　　〃Ain't　none　of　my　concern；〃　Pappy　said。
　　　〃I　ain't　through　with　him；　you　know。　When　I　find　him；　I'm　gonna　put　his　big　ass　in　the　jail　in　Jonesboro；　and　we're　gonna　have　us　a　trial。〃
　　　〃You　do　that；　Stick；〃　Pappy　said；　then　turned　around。　〃You　do　that。〃
　　　Stick's　bald　tires　slipped　and　spun　in　the　mud；　but　he　finally　got　to　the　road。　My　mother　and　Gran　returned　to　the　kitchen　to　start　cooking。
　　　Pappy　got　his　tools　and　spread　them　on　the　tailgate　of　the　truck。　He　opened　the　hood　and　began　a　thorough　inspection　of　the　engine　I　sat　on　the　fender；　handing　him　wrenches；　watching　every　move。
　　　〃Why　would　a　nice　girl　like　Tally　want　to　marry　a　Mexican？〃　I　asked。
　　　Pappy　was　tightening　a　fan　belt。　There　was　little　doubt　that　Cowboy　hadn't　bothered　to　stop；　open　the　hood；　and　meddle　with　the　engine　while　he　was　fleeing　with　Tally；　but　Pappy　nonetheless　was　pelled　to　adjust　and　fix　and　tinker　as　if　the　vehicle　had　been　sabotaged。　〃Women；〃　he　said。
　　　〃What　do　you　mean？〃
　　　〃Women　do　stupid　things。〃
　　　I　waited　for　clarification；　but　his　answer　was　plete。
　　　〃I　don't　understand；〃　I　finally　said。
　　　〃Neither　do　I。　Neither　will　you。　You're　not　supposed　to　understand　women。〃
　　　He　removed　the　air　filter　and　gazed　with　suspicion　at　the　carburetor。　For　a　moment　it　looked　as　if　he'd　found　evidence　of　tampering；　but　then　he　turned　a　screw　and　seemed　content。
　　　〃You　think　they'll　ever　find　her？〃　I　asked。
　　　〃They　ain't　lookin'。　We　got　the　truck　back；　so　there's　no　crime；　no　police　tryin'　to　find　'em。　I　doubt　if　the　Spruills'll　go　look　for　'em。　Why　bother？　If　they　got　lucky　and　found　'em；　what're　they　gonna　do？〃
　　　〃Can't　they　make　her　e　home？〃
　　　〃No。　Once　she　gets　married；　then　she's　an　adult。　You　can't　make　a　married　woman　do　a　damned　thing。〃
　　　He　cranked　the　engine　and　listened　to　it　idle。　It　sounded　the　same　to　me；　but　Pappy　thought　he　heard　a　new　rattle。　〃Let's　take　it　for　spin；〃　he　said。　Wasting　gasoline　was　a　sin　in　Pappy's　book；　but　he　seemed　anxious　to　burn　a　little　of　the　free　stuff　Tally　and　Cowboy　had　left　behind。
　　　We　got　in　and　backed　onto　the　road。　I　was　sitting　where　Tally　had　been；　just　hours　earlier；　when　they'd　sneaked　away　during　the　storm。　I　thought　of　nothing　but　her；　and　I　was　as　bewildered　as　ever。
　　　The　road　was　too　wet　and　muddy　to　allow　Pappy　to　reach　his　perfect　speed　of　thirty…seven　miles　an　hour；　but　he　still　thought　he　could　tell　that　something　was　wrong　with　the　engine。　We　stopped　at　the　bridge　and　looked　at　the　river。　The　gravel　bars　and　sandbars　were　gone；　there　was　nothing　but　water　between　the　banks…water　and　debris　from　upriver。　It　rushed　by；　faster　than　I　had　ever　seen　it。　Pappy's　stick；　his　flood　gauge；　was　long　gone；　washed　away　by　the　swirling　currents。　We　didn't　need　it　to　tell　us　that　the　St。　Francis　was　about　to　flood。
　　　Pappy　seemed　mesmerized　by　the　water　and　its　noise。　I　couldn't　tell　if　he　wanted　to　curse　or　cry。　Neither　would've　helped；　of　course；　and　I　think　that　Pappy；　for　perhaps　the　first　time；　realized　he　was　about　to　lose　another　crop。
　　　Whatever　was　wrong　with　the　engine　had　fixed　itself　by　the　time　we　returned　home。　Pappy　announced　over　supper　that　the　truck　was　as　good　as　ever；　whereupon　we　launched　into　a　long　and　creative　discussion　about　Tally　and　Cowboy　and　where　they　might　be　and　what　they　might　be　doing。　My　father　had　heard　that　there　were　a　lot　of　Mexicans　up　in　Chicago；　and　he　guessed　that　Cowboy　and　his　new　bride　would　simply　blend　into　that　vast　city　and　never　be　seen　again。
　　　I　was　so　worried　about　Tally　that　I　could　barely　force　down　my　food。
　　　
　　　Late　the　next　morning；　with　the　sun　trying　its　best　to　peek　through　the　clouds；　we　returned　to　the　fields　to　pick　cotton。　We　were　tired　of　sitting　around　the　house　watching　the　skies。　Even　I　wanted　to　go　to　the　fields。
　　　The　Mexicans　were　especially　anxious　to　work。　They　were；　after　all；　two　thousand　miles　from　home　and　not　getting　paid。
　　　But　the　cotton　was　too　wet　and　the　ground　was　too　soft。　Mud　caked　on　my　boots；　and　it　stuck　to　my　picking　sack；　so　that　after　an　hour　I　felt　as　if　I　were　dragging　a　tree　trunk。　We　quit　after　two　hours　and　left　for　the　house；　a　sad　and　dispirit