The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-12-24
@isrelIanp.
JOHN CUTS SECRET.

rs Mr. Cuts in Z" asked gentleman, who
having knocked ut the door, was saluted by
woman from an upper window with, "Well,
what's wantin' naow 2"
"Yes, he's in or about somewhere, 1 suppose
she replied; but I'm Mr.. Cults when any bust.
ness is to be done. He's Mr.. Quits eatin' and
drinkin; sleeping sometimes."
"Well, my good woman" said The gentleman,
Il think he will DO Mr.. QUITS for my business,
too. l wish to see him.
"What do you want of him 2" asked the shrew,
thrusting her head still further out OF the win.
dow.
ITO do something for me. But I must see
himself" was the reply.
as it raal business, for pay. or only favor
you want; can let your boss have peck of
oats, or can direct YOU to the shortest road to
the Four Corners, or L CAM can-why l can
do anything for you that he could; and good
deal morel | take the money and write the
receipts, and pay the men, and [ take off the
produce l am as good judge Of stock as he
is, and can't be beat On horse hesh.'
"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 baf1ed. Look here, mister,
maybe you do not know the circumstances of
the case. This here farm is mine, and it was
my fathers afore me: and Cuts, he hain't no
more claim to it than that hen down there has
And besides, I'm seven years older than he is,
foot higher, and weigh twenty pounds more
What's your business on my place, it 1 may
make 60 bold ~
ITO zee and talk with your husband" re-
lied the gentleman, getting out Of his chair and
hitching his horse to post, as if he meant to
stay until he did see him.
"Be you doctor? Cause there amt living
thing the matter with CUTS. He's the wellest
naa in the town. and 80 be l." said this woman
of the times"
''No. my good woman, I'm not doctor. Do
you think your husband will be in sson? Send
that boy to find him ~ said the stranger.
The boy locked up in his mothers face--but
he knew his own interest too yell to start with
out orders.
Then your a minister, I suppose, by your
black clothes. l may we'll tell you and save
you time, that We don't go to meeting, and don't
want to. 1t amt NO use for you to leave no
4racts nor nothing-for I've got big dairy and
hsint no time to idle away readin', and keep
him about so early and late, that when he's done
work, he's glad to 60 to bed and resti"
I'm no minister, madam; 1 wish was,
though, for your sake," replied the gentleman.
"Sen3 tor your husband; 1 cannot wait much
lenger must see him at once"
The boy started to his feet again, and looked
in his mothers eye, bat it gave no marching or.
ders.
"Look here, mister" nov appearing 1t the
door, and looking de6autly st him; "your q
school master huntin' up q district school, and
you think he's = Committeeman; but he amt,
this year."
"xa'am Cstta" - the neighbors called hex,
dropped her hands at her side and hesved q
groan. She had toxad . man che couldn't man.
age:
"See here, zov, mister," she said, II can read
4 hoY iDht throuu oh and koon -b,< ro,, -.
the blessed minute I clspped my eyes on you.
can tell by your everlastin' arguin' that you're
lawyer. We haint got no qusrrels; don't want
no deeds draved OF wills made; 90 if you're
huatin' a job Of my husband. you better onhitoh
your horse and drive on. We know enough 70
make little money, and l know enough to hold
q to It"
my good woman, you entirely nisuudsr-
stand my errand. can tell no person but him.
self what it lie, and must tell him in confidence
alone. II he chooses he may break it to you the
best way he can"
~, my goodness sake slivei Brother Lfs
blowed up il the Mississippi boat, I beti q, Ia
me- the poor fellow! He left little something,
didn't he ?"
Il never heard of him, and nobody's 'bloved
up that I knew Of" replied the gentleman.
Chow l knowl You're the man what
wants to 90 to Congress, hs, and have come here
hate politicians, especially them that goes
agin women, aud think they we're made to
drudge, and nothing else! 90 in for free and
equal rights for white folks-meu and women
tor scriptur says there is neither men or wo-
men, but all's one in politics. believe the dsy
Is conia' when such Is you and me will have to
DOW the knee to women, afore you can get the
big places and high pay that's a eaten Us up
With taxes! You can't see my husband! We
are goin' to the polls on the way to the mill. and
Ill promise you that be votes right"
II am NJ candidate, and don't know what YOU
are talking about. All there comes the man I
want Aud the stranger went toward Nj.
Cuts, who had just leaped pair Of bars which
led from the potato patch into the lane.
Mrs. Cults few into the house for her sun.
bonnet to follow them; bat by the time she
got to the bars. her mysterious visitor and Cuts
were driving rapidly down the road.
The strong-minded woman shouted after her
husband, You'd better come back, tell YOU !"
out the wind was the wrong way, and carried
her words into the potato patch.
.Sir," said the gentleman 10 honest Cutts 81
nave very simple question to ask YOU, but I
shall have to ask you in confidence will give
you five dollars if you will promise not to repeat
my words until tomorrow"
WELL sir, replied Cults, II shouldn't like Ia
answer any questions that would make trouble
among my neighbors l have my hands full, |
cav tel You, to keep out of scrapes ROW: but
I've done 1t, and hain't an enemy in the world,
as | know"
But SIT, you needn't reply TO my question
unless you are perfectly willing" said the s,r,n
ger.
ASK your question" said Cuts. "and will
not repeat IT."
AM