The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-04-16
UNCLE JEDUTH'S GAME.

llltTc WAS great cOmlnOtlOn IN the Olu
Hacklcdown farmhouse not because
court was sitting in the county town
close by, but'because the honorable Jedu-
than Hackledown, the learned judge of
that court, who walked with 4 gold
headed cane, and sat in industrious dignity
all the week, had sent word he was COM
ing to make Il visit. He wanted to see il
the haymows smell Us sweet, and the
pumpkin pies tasted as good as they did
when he was a boy on the old place!
"GoodneSs alive" calculated Mrs.
Hackledown, ''of course they won't! And
if he comes expecting it, he'll be disap-
pointed, and l shall feel as uncomfortable
rs 4 hen with a brood of ducks! O1
course, I'm proud to have Uncle Jeduth
come; but think of the things he's seer
since evcr he lived on the old farm! Dc
send Medad rightsou to. killsome pull
lets, Mr.. Hackedown, and tell Mink to
carry some good stout wood up into the
best chamber quick! He'll be here be.
fore we know it."
But there was no n lucky enough not
20 know it long. Every one. old OF
young, was sent flying in some direction;
every kettle and baking pan was brewing
such goodies as only Mrs. Hackledown
knew how to make, and she herself at
tended to shaking up the mountainous
feather bed in Uncle Jeduth's room,'
and getting her sheets from the lavender
scented pile. ,,y~.-
II believe I do feel like the old hen,'
she said, half laughing, as she sat down
to tie tea table at last. Il don't know
whether I'm most proud or most worried
that's the truth"
Uncle Jedutlan is a larned man
They say all the lawydrs take his advice
on knotty p'nts,' said Mr.. Hackledown,
solemnly rolling his eyes round the table,
and resting them at last on Mink, whose
sleeves were still chippy from the arm
fuls Of wood he had been carrying up
stairs. And that isn't all. either.
They say he knows everything, pretty
nigh
Mink almost shivcred in his shoes.
His friendless life in the New York
streets, before 4 charitable society picked
him up and sent him to Paradise with
the Hackledowns, had given him a hor-
ror of judges. Besides that, this one
seemed equal to forty of ordinary
measure. So monstrous learned. rich
and grand; where could Mink hide his
diminished tow-white head from his
sight?
lie did not have long to decide. for
bright and early next morning a two
horse carriage drove into the back yard,
the driver got down, and with Mr..
Hackledown's and Mrs. IIackledown's
clustered assistance. got the carriage-door
open and the Judge. gold-headed cane
and all. landed on the horseback.
wei. well, well!n Mink heard him
say, rs he peepcd ~breathlessly through
the grapevine. and then Mr.. and Mrs.
IIackledown broke in, and they alldisap-
peared into the house. = Ht,ET H.
Il aint goin' in 10 dinner muttered
Mink to himself. live got Il doughnut
in my pocket now. and twill be dark by
supp"r-time."
But Mrs. HacklpdoWn was too sharp
eyed for that. and Mink was summoned,
and his face scrubbed andshining, as the
last dish went smoking on the table.
"Mink??" repeated Uncle Jeduthan,
inquiringly. as Mrs. H~ackledown went
through the form of an introduction.
Where did he get such a name ms
thnt:?'
"Oh.n said Mrs. Hackledown, apollo
getically. II oughtto have said Domini-
Gus. They had foolish way Of calling
him White Rabbit, where he came from.
and ! had to find a name for him Is best
might. There, go and sit down,
Mink. -
The urges broad red face shone back
again into Mink,s with clear good nature.
and then he squeezed his portly sides into
the great armchair they had placed for
him, and dinner began. But Mink never
knew whether he ate potatoes or chicken
stew, as tile judge went on with stories,
"reminiscences Of old days, and accounts
of wondrous things in the world, until,
for the first time in Mrs. H~ackledown's
housekeeping life, Mr.. Hackledown had
to signal to her that it was time for the
pumpkin pie. .
The great armsful Of wood lay neglect
ed. for the cold had vanished, and the
soft haze Of Indian summer gathered
round and melted everything and every
body into q luxurious sense of comfort.
"Can't1 getout to the old back porch?"
said Uncle Jeduth, when stories and cere-
monies were ended at last. Il should
like to take my after-dinner nap there, as
I used to when I was Il boy"
"Surtainm said Mr.. Hackledown. and
Mrs. Hackledown hustled into the parlor
for the big straw rock chair" and Uncle
Jeduthan settled comfortably into it,
threw an enormous silk handkerchief
over his face, and silence reigned. Pump
kin pie had conquered learning. wisdom,
and authority Of the law. The Judge
grew drowsy, he slept, he snored!
At that instant a stealthy step crept to-
ward the porch. and two shining eyes
blinked at the Judge through the vine
leaves ut the end of it. They were Mink's
favorite hiding-place ON lazy afternoons;
why shouldn't he enjoy it to-day: The
Judge was past seeing and hearing, that
was sure.
"They say he knows everything" said
Mink to himself. gazing at the handker-
chief under which the Judges wondrous
brain must lie. "IIow did he ever fetch
ito VISIT | knowed. Wisht I knowed
how they spell Jeduth. toom
Mink went mentally over a column in
his speller. truth" "ruth." booth; :
II was of no use, but anyhow. the judge
used to drive the cows to the Hackle-
down pasture once; and look at him to.
day! Mink had great aspirations, especi.
ally after knowing things" but wonder
got them all in jog this time.
Don't care, anyhow" he was just
ready to sayin despair, when up crep,
another stealthy step. Didn't old Tab
the tortoise-shell, know where to fint
Mink, and the game that two could play
at on such afternoons? -.
"Guym exclaimed Mink, under his
breath. and the game began. One swooI
If Nink's right hand caught n fly. ano
his left set Tab on her hind legs. Now
'Open your mouth and shut your eyes
and ri give you something to make yor
wise!' One, two, three"
Down came Tabs eyes, open came hel
mouth, and in went the fly: 1t was s
oamc that never wore out. and the judge
and nil perplexing questions were for
gotten. "Flies were getting scarce, bu'
Mink had the ninth one just going, wher
a stentorian voice called suddenly:
"Dominicus"
Bless us and save us! The judge hat
come to life again! With one wild spring
Tab flew away, and with his tow hail
ready to stand on end, Mink crept out O.
the Vine to face his honor.
"Dominicus." said h ejudge, giving tht
HANDKERCHIEF q sleepy pull from off his
foce. whats that you're saying"
Mink trembl;ng1y repeated.
swell. now, / can teach you a game
worth two of that. Listen to me" and
the Judge struggled up in his chair, and
not himself fairly awake. "Open your
outh. and your ears, and your eyes, and