Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-03-17
JOHN CUTS SECRET.

where any business is 20 be done. Hes
MIR. Cults eatia' and drinkin' and slcepin'
sometimes,
We'll, my good woman said the gen
tleman. II think he will be Mr., Cutts for
my business, 700. wish To see him.
"What do YOU want OF him ~ asked the
shrew, thrusting her head still further out
Of the window.
40 do something for me. But must
see him. was the reply,
"Is il real business, tor pay, or only
favor YOU want | can let your hoss have
a peek Of oats, or can direct YOU 10 the
shortest road 10 the Four Corners, or
can-I can-why-l can do anything for
YOU that he could, and good deaf more
| can take the money, and rite the receipts,
and pay the men, aud | take care OF the
produce I'm as good a judge Of stock As
be Is, and can't be beat on horsehesh.h
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 baffled. "Look-a here,
mister, maybe You do not know the cir
cumssanees Of this case. This here farm
is mine, aud il was my fathers afoIe me :
and Cuts, he haint no more claim 20 IL
than that hen down there has. And, be-
sides, I'm seven years older than he l.,
/ foot higher, and weigh twenty pounds
more What's your business on my place,
F If may make so bold ln
! TO see and talk with your husband, y
replied the gentleman, getting out Of his
chaiSe and hitehing his horse 10 post, a
/ if he meant TO stay until be did sc him.
/ abe YOU n dOetorl Cause there amt
+ living thing the matter with Cults. He's
/ the wellest man in town, and so be /, y
/ said this woman for the times.
mo. my good woman, I'm not doctor.
/ Do you think your husband will be in
soon7 Send that boy 10 find him. said
the stranger
The boy looked up in his mothers face
but he knew his own Interests too well
/ 10 start without orders.
Then you're minister, | suppose. by
I your black coat. | may as well tell YOU
and save your time, that we don't go 20
meeting, and don't want 60. IL amt no
use for You TO leave no tracts for nothing
I for I've got big dairy and hain't no time
T 10 idle away readin', and keep him about
so early and late, that when he's done
work he's glad TO 20 10 bed and rest -
Pm no minister, madam; | wish was
though. for your sake - said the gentleman.
Look here, mister,n now appearing az
the door, and looking detiantly al him,
you're a schOolmaster huntin' up dist
rict school and YOU think he's commit
: tec-man but he amt this year.
Send for your husband; cannot wait
much longer. | must see him at once
The boy started TO his feet again. and
looked in his mothers eye; but she gave
no marching orders.
"Ma'am Cults" as the neighbors called
hor, dropped her hands at her side and
hsaved a groan. She had found a man she
couldn't manage.
''Sec here, now, mister she said, Il
can read man right through, and knew
what You was the blessed minute clspped
my eyes on you. can tell by your ever
lastin' arguin' that you are lawyer. We
hain't got no quarrels don't want no deeds
drawed or wills made, so il YOU'RE huntin'
job OF my husband, You may as well on
hitch your horse and drive on. We know
enough to make little money, and know
enough to hold ON 20 it.n
"Mv good woman you entirely misun-
derstand my errand. can tell no person
but himself what il is, and must tell him
in confidence and alone. Ii he chooses he
can break il 10 you the best way he cam
80, my goodness sake alive! Brother
Lifts blowed up in the Mississippi boat, |
bet o. Ia me. the poor fellow. He left
little something, didn't he
Il never heard Of him, and nobody's
tf.tu,,.nf thms I lrwnv,~ a 8ha
gentleman.
"O-now know You're the man
what wants TO 20 to Congress, and have
come here huntin' after votes. He shall
not vote for you! hate politicians, espe-
cially them that goes agin women, and
thinks they were made 60 drudge and moth
in else 60 in for free and equal rights
for white folks-men and women-for
Scripture says, there isn't neither man or
woman, but all's one in politics. believe
the day is comm when such as you and
me will have to bow the knee 10 woman,
afore you can get the big place and high
pay that's a eatin' Us up with taxes Yon
can't see my husband We are goin' 20
the polls on the way to the mill, and III
promise YOU that be votes right"
Pm no candidate, and | don't know
what you are talking about All there
comes ths man want And the stran-
ger went toward Mr. Cuts, who had Just
leaped pair Of bars which led from the
potato patch into the lane.
Mrs. Cuts few into the house for her
sun-bonnet TO follow them; but by the
time she got 20 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 youl but the wind was the wrong
way, and carried the words into the pota-
to patch.
''Sir,n said the gentleman TO honest
Cuts, II have very simple question TO
ask you, but 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, ~ shouldn't
like TO answer any questions that would
make trouble among my neighbors. have
my hands full, ! can tell you, to keep out
Of scrapes now but I've done il, and haint
an enemy in the world, as I know
''But, sir, you needn't reply 10 my quss-
tion unless you are perfectly wiling said
the stranger.
"Ask your question:" said Cults, ''and
will not repeat it."
"Well, Mr.. Cults, am laying fence on
the Brisley place, that have just bought,
and ] was directed to enquire Of you where
| could buy cedar posts. A fellow in the
store saId, Cults can tell you, If his wife
will let him but she won't. She'll insist
on telling you herself-and perhaps o..
to drive you wherever you go TO order
them
II told them would see you and ask
you only and the fellows bet on IT, They
are to give you ten dollars, and 20 two or
three widows in the town cord Of wood
each, if succeed in asking you this ques-
tion alone and making sure your wife docs
not know my business until after breakfast
tomorrow morning"
Cuts knew his wife's standing too we'll
to feel very sensitiye-and taking the bill
from the stranger, he smiled and said:
"I'll go with you to look out cedar posts,
and keep dark, for the jokes sake but |
don't know as she'll let me stay in the
house tonight; / don't own it,D replied the
good natured Cults.
Suppose you 60 to the place and see to
setting the posts. ] will send boy 10 tell
her you had to 60 off suddenly, on little
business, and will be back in the morning" "
said the stranger
tJ,Il do that - renlied Cutie tsfor oavar