The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-12
Holm Cufrs's Secret.
grip

having Knocked at the door, was saluted
nv a woman from an upper window with,
"Well, what's wantin' naow? Yes, he's
in or about somewhere, / suppose she
replied "but Pm Mr.. Cults when any
business is to be done. He's Mr.. Cults
eatin' and drinkin'; sleepin' sometimes
"Well, my good woman said the gen
tleman, II think he will be Mr.. Cults for
my business, too. l wish to see him."
"What do you want Of him - asked the
shrew, thrusting her head still further out
of the window.
'To do something for me. But must
see himself" was the reply.
lis it raal business for pay, or only 4
favor YOU want can let your horse have
n peck of oats, or / can direct you to the
shortest road to the Four Corners, or l
CAM can-whv, ! can do anything for
you that he could, and great deal more.
take the money and write receipts, and
pay the men, and take of the produce.
I'm rs good judge of stock as he is, and !
can't be beat on horse flesh"
But" said the gentleman, drawing
down his face solemnly, ''you can't take
his place now: find him for me at once"
The shrew was baflcd. "Look q here,
mister, maybe you do not know the circum-
stances Of the case. This here farm is
mine, and it was my fathers afore me ; and
-,
that hen down there has. And besides,
Pm seven years older than he is, foot
higher, and weigh twenty pounds more
What's your business on my place, il may
make SO bold:"
"To see and talk with your husband"
replied the gentleman, getting out Of his
chase and hitching his horse to post, as
if he meant to stay until he did see him.
"Be you q doctor: Cause there amt a
living thing the matter with Cults. He's
the Wellest man in town, and so be ], )" said
this "woman for the times"
"No, my good woman, Pm not doctor.
Do YOU think your husband will be in
soon? Send that boy to find him!" said
the stranger.
The boy looked up in his mothers face.
but he knew his own interest too well to
start without orders.
"Then you are a minister, suppose, by
your black coat. may as well tell you and
save you time, that we don't so to meeting,
and don't want TO-. 1t amt no use for you
to leave no tracks for nothing-for I've got
big dairy, and hain't no time to idle away
readln', and keep him about so early and
late that when he's done work he's glad to
20 to bed and rest"
"I'm no minister, madam I wish was
though, for your sake" said the gentle
man.
"send for your husband ! cannot wall
much longer. must see him at once"
The boy started to his feet again, AMI
looked In his mothers eye; but it gave nc
marching orders.
"Look here, mister" now appearing q,
the door, and looking detantly at him,
YOU'RE schoOl-master huntin' up dis
trict school; and you think he's q commit
teeman; but he amt this year."
"Ma'am Cults" as the neighbors called
her, dropped her hands at her side and
heaved groap. She had found man she
couldn't manages,
~" here, now, mister" she said, 81
can read boz, 'is. ed Minute enu cla l%sd
what you was the bles-. your everlasting
ewes on YOU. can tell by We hain't
arguin' that you are lawyer. 20 deeds
got no quarrels; don't want l. 'ntin'
drawed nor wills made, SO if you're hu, -
a job Of my husband, you may US We'll o..
hitch your horse and drive on. We know
enough to make little money, and know
enough to hold on to it,"
"Mv good woman, you entirely misun-
derstand my errand. / can tell no person
but himself what it is, and must tell him in
confidence alone. II he chooses he may
break it to YOU in the best way he cam
90. nv goodness sakes alive Brother
Lif's blowed up in the Mississippi boat,
bet! o, la me, the poor fellow !! de LETT a
little something, didn't he!"
: "I never heard of him, and nobody's
'blowed up that know Of" rephed the
gentleman.
"I-now know You're the man what
wants to 90 to Congress, ha, and have come
here huntin' after votes. He shall not vote
for YOU hate politicians, especially them
that goes aein women, and thinks they were
made TO drudge, and nothin' else ] go in
for free and equal rights for white folks
men and women-tor Scripture says there
isn't neither men or women, but airs one
in politics. l believe the day Is comm
when such as you and me will have 10 DOW
the knee to women, afore you can get the
big places and high pay that's a-eaten lis
up with taxes! You can't see my nus
band! We are goin' to the polls on the
way to the mill, and I'll promise you that
he votes right"
"Pm no candidate, and l don't know
who you're talking about. All there
comes the man want" And the stranger
went toward MIR. Cults, who had just
leaped pair of bars which led from the
potato-patch into the lane.
Mrs. Cuts flew into the house for her
sun-bonnet to follow them, but by the time
she got to the bars her mysterious visitor
and Cults were driving rapidly down the
road.
The strong.minded woman shouted after
her husband I" You better come back,
tell you;" but the wind was the wrong
way, and carried her words into the potato
patch.
"Sir," said the gentleman to honest
Cuts, 81 have very simple question to