The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1882-07-15
TOMS RIDE.

W was IN inc month OF july. Inc hny
wns n hot n II WA q little past noon,
md nothing broke the stiffness except
the shrill noise, now and then, Of u katy
did.
Mrs. Elroy's big rockingham stood
IN tho front hall. midway between two
open doors Mra Elroy was sitting In
u DOING. The turkey wing she used
for a ian lay on the iloor by her side.
and upon II wero stretched two kittens
~ sound asleep rs their mistress.
"Hello therel Helloin was shouted
by some n out In tho road In front Of
the house.
"Well, what's wantln'P" responded
Mrs. Elroy. as she reused herself and
framed her ample form IN the doorway,
mt the same time giving their true level
to q pair of stout silver ''specsn that
had become slightly awry.
"Could we get a little fresh cows
milk, ma'amp' asked n tawny.faced
man. peering out Of the front end Of q
covered wagon.
Guess he thinks we have goats milk
and might give him some Of that, gran.
ma" ~
"Hush. Tom; thcm's egyptians, nm
that's their way. p'r'aps." she whis-
percd TO her grandson, Ms he pushed
past her and ran down through the yard
and ont 10 the wagon.
"We'vo got some of this mnrnin's
milkin' LET over. Ifthat's fresh enough,
YOU n have H." said Mrs. Elroy,
speaking 10 the stranger.
That's jos what WI want,'' said tho
gypsy, as he leaped from his wagon
with a half-gallon Jug In his hand. from
which hc drew a corncob stopper and
poured \ dribbling stream Of some sort
OF liquid upon this ground. Toms sharp
eyes had been scanning the gypsies In
the wagon while hc talked 10 n black.
eyed woman On the front scat, who was
trying 10 quiet q hungry babe.
Looks 10 me 'sif ihoe gypsIes need
frc.h water more than they do fresh
milk was the comment he made q
his grandmother in the milk cellar.
Whats the damngcp" said the gyp.
~, crowding the cob into the mouth Of
The jug after Mrs. Elroy had brought /
back 10 him full Of milk.
Tho whatpn said the old lady.
"Thc charge tho priccpn
"Ohl Bout n bit, reckon" was hel
answer.
"Gan'ma. don't take any money "a,
the milk. because I told the woman N
the wagon we'd give her all she wantct
for her baby. Teasc. don't"
"Well, | won't then. long a. yor
promised Il; but you must be keerhn
bow you make promises. Sometime,
they're awful troublesome 20 meet"
"Thanky, ma'am. thsnky, hub. Yer
too good. both o yc." said the man,
iwirling the Jug by . leather strap thai
passed through The handle. He then
hurried down TO where he had left hi,
wagon. climbed into Il and droy,
away.
Two hours later. Mrs. Elroy cam,
busting out 10 WHERE her grandson
with bis hat OF. his face red and sweat
Ing nj every port. was amusing him
self by trying to put a blind.bridlo on /
calf.
"Child aiiyel What In the world mr.,
you doin'P' cried the old lady.
"why. | wanted 10 sec II the COW
would know her cali with this bride on
L. that's all. grandma" said the youth,
whose dozen years had all been spent In
the city, and who now found fun enough
every day among his grandfather 5 stocl
for forty boys
"well, yer gran'rs's 90, another
spell o tho collie. an 3 got Il powerful
bad. too; an there amt q dropof Mum,
Der Six In the hottie. an Sllas aint hive,
10 send fur some. an l don't know whal
In the world I'm 10 do"
'.Why, gran ma. III bride old Bet,
and ride 10 town and bring out Dr.
Hickar
"lt's too fur fur you 10 ride. an n,
most night. too. Dear me! what shall
l dor cried the old lady. looking ava,
OF over the ~ridge-poIe Of the barn and
tanning herself with her apron.
"Oh. I can do ifeSsily enough. gran.
M; besides. III find Snas In town and
"a him 70 come home with me. l can
ride behind him.
After > silent study Of the natter 70,
few minutes she said ssWell. yer I
keerful bog. orI wouldn't consent ~,
you 70 w y; hut yer grand pa mus
have snmethin' p 50 him, 80 you mag
60 rn help bridle Bet"
The animal - duly bridled md rad
died By ~ Old lsdy IL . sb611 1ime-s