The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-24
THE WILDERNESS.
Young Muiki,tle is the Cause of Series
 of Disasters.

Of Disasters.
 Mir. Mulkittle was in very happy frame of mind. Quarterly meeting day had arrived, and at the request of the presiding elder he had preached a pow erful sermon on baeksliding. He was accompanied home by the Rev. Mir. Grention, the presiding elder. who. as a kind of apostolic Napoleon. can confer ministerial distinction on an under officer by one word of praise, together with his son, a tall, lean young man, whom his father called Joseph, but to whom the young fellows companions appropriately applied the expressive term of '' Bones.- Miss f1ammerton, young lady with high cheeks and dropping mouth. 10 whom Bones was devotedly attached, and old man Snitson, well known coun- try brother who holds a mortgage on widows plantation, soon arrived, and seated in the drawing-roon, the company presented the perfect picture of happi- ness.
 Young Mulki,,le. by stroke of good fortune which he was unable 10 under stand. vas no, led to church, but was allowed to remain ., home and amuse his little sister. He brough, an armful of corn cobs from the stable, and arranging them in the hallway. he called them s.,stlAv,&Aee l><.la r~l h.,,..h h.. and his sister the children of Israel, and beguiled the wings of time with the gol- den tips oi leading her back and forth through the win6emess. He scattered popcorn around which the, would gather with enthusiasm. When the little girl asked for an explanation of the corn ad- dition he explained that it was mama and that it had rained down. The girl ventured to question the liklihood of rain falling in the house, when the boy ex- plained that it was wicked to dispute the bible. adding that if she did his pa would call her "a infamel." MT. Mulkiule is this the boy ,ha, asks so many questions remarked Bones" as young Mulkit,le entered the room. The minister who was busily detailing to old Snitson the leading points of his ser mon. which the old man had heard while at church. but which the minister seemed determined he should hear again, paid no attention to the question asked by "Bones,r but continued to talk, stopping at regular intervals. il seemed. to catch an approving smile from the presiding elder.
 He is fine boy said the elder, "and remarkably bright child, warrant you"
 "I1l bet he's girl" ventured Bones" at which piece of attempted wit feigned conjecture in regard to sex assumed by young men when they wish to quiz boys, Miss Flammerson giggled almost hyster- icallv
 Joseph" said the elder, you are no, on the farm
 -I'll be, aint girl" replied young Mulkittle. Little sisters girl. I'm a boy, cause l wear pants and little sister don't" Miss Flammerton giggled again, Bones" produced a yellow smile apd crossed his awkward legs. and Mir. Null kittle. whose face was beaming with sal isfaction illustrated another telling point against sin, and Mrs. MuIkittle, turning to her son, said: ''Willie, pu, your hair back out of your eyes,
 :" Come and let me talk 10 you, Willie ' said the elder. You'll be great man some day"
 -Who was |, that was turned to bar rel of salt ?" asked the boy.
 You are wrong, my little man. No one was turned to a barrel of salt. It was Lots wife who was turned to pillar of sals-
 And when Lot sa~ thz, his wife was pillow slip of sah he vent away and left her, didn't he!"
 She was not turned into pillow slip of salt, my iirtle man."
 "i ain't litfie man. Was she a pil- low sham of sali!- | "Oh, 10 she was pillar Was Lot mad?r - doat know.s 1 Did hesen the sAi :r
 .Oh na. he ~as aeei,g, and didnt aoP."
 sHow heeing? Catching Heas:r No, he vas runninx.s Anyoar wife vas turned to sab would ! vou he mad p7