The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-04-14
UNCLE REMUS AT THE TELE-
PHONE


Miss Sally was sitting by the fire sew
ing and singing softly to herself, she
heard the old man come into the back
yard and enter the dining room, where a
bright fire was still burning in the CRATE.
Everything had been cleared away. The
cook had gone and the house girl had
disappeared, and the little boy was
asleep. Uncle Remus had many privi-
leges in the eouse of the daughter of his
old mistress and master, and one of these
was to warm himself by the dining room
fire when ever he felt lonely, especially
at night. To the lady there was whim.
Steal suggestion Of pathos in everything
the old negro said and did; nevertheless,
her attitude toward Uncle Remus was
one of busting criticism and depreciation
| By leaning back in her chair a little she
could see him as he sat before the fire
enjoying the warmth.
II should think it was time for you to
be in bed" she exclaimed.
Nom faint" responded Uncle Re-
mus. Il year tell dat wen ole felix's git
ter bed soon der feeln's been hurted, en-
goodness knows dey amt nobody hurried
my feelin's dis day"
"Well, there isn't anything in there
that you can pick up. I've had every
| thing put under lock and key
Yessum, dey is sumpn ne'r in yer,
too, kase yer Mars Johns supper settin'
right down yer 10 lie fire, en- little mo-
hit 'ud o bin dry spang up if hadn't a
| drapt in DIES when l did. year Mars
John tell dat ar niger oman wat you
call yo' cook fer ter have i'm some fried
eggs fer supper, en- eff deze Amt fried en-
| dried l Amt never see none wat is. Wen
| Mors John come you kin set plum in dar
en- year i'm crack UNI up in his mouf
same Xix COW chawin' fodder. Las
Sat day night Mars John fotch some fried
listers home, and eff dish yer niger
oman stay on dis hill many mo- days he
| ull git all his vittels cooked down town
| en- fecth it home in basket. Whar's
| Mars John now?''
Just then there was call at the tele-
phone. The little gong ratified away like
a house on fire. AS the lady went to
answer it Uncle Remus rose from his
chair and crept on his tiptoes to the door
that opened into the sitting room. He
| ba,r, his Mice Sally talLinu
We'll, what's wanted? Oh. is that
you? Well, l couldn't imagine-No-
Fast asleep too long ago to talk about
Why Of course-No.-Why should | be
frightened II declare. you ought to be
ashamed-Remus is here-Two hours. l
think you are horlid mean!-By-by."
Uncle Reum stood looking suspicously
at the telephone after Miss Sally had
turned away.
Miss Sally he said presently, "wuz
! you talking to Mars John?'
certainly. Who did you suppose it
was9"
Wharbouts was Mars John? -
cat his Office
"Way down on Yallerbamer street ?"
eyes,
At this piece of information, Uncle
Remus emitted groan that was full of
doubt and pity, and went into the dining
room. Miss Sally laughed and then an
idea seemed to strike her. She called
him back, and went again to the tele-
| phone.
els that you, Central? Please con-
meet eleven forty with fourteen sixty"
There was flutter in the instrument,
and then the lady said: Eyes, its me.
Here's Remus. Yes, but he wants to
talk to you
/" Here Remus, take this and put it to
your ear. Here, simpleton! 1t wont
hurt you"
| Uncle Remus took the ear-piece and
handled it as though it had been loaded
and then he placed it to his ear, and
grinned sheepishly. He heard thin,
sepulchural, but familiar voice calling
out, "IIello, Remus"' and his sheepish
grin gave place to an expression of un-
easy astonishment.'
"Hello, Remus. Hello ello-ello-ell-o"
as dat you, Mars Johno''
"Of course it is, you bandy-legged old
villain. have no time to be standing
here. What do you want? -
"How in de name er God you git in
dar Mars John?''
"In where -
elm dis year--in dish apleratus.'
"Oh, you be iddlestick! What do you
want ~
MARS John, kia you see mo-er is she
all dark in dar?''
care you crazy? Where is your Miss
Sally ,"
She is yer, hollun en- laughin. Mars
John, how you gNine to git out'n dar ~
Dry up. Good nightr'
eyer tbs, Miss Sallie," said Uncle Re-
mus after listening a moment. ''Dey's
mighty zoonin gwine on i'll dar; en- l
dunno whe'er Mar John tryin' ter scram-
BILE out, er whe'er he dies trying fer ter
make hisself comfortable in dar.'
"What did you say, Remuso'
"IIe up and low'd dat one us wus a
vilyun. but dey was such a buzzin'
gwne on in dar dat | couldn't zactly
ketch de right un it."
| Uncle Renus went back to his place
by the dining room fire, and after awhile
began to mutter aud talk to himself.
Whats the matter nowo" his Miss
Sally asked.
"ruz DIES sayin' dat know Mars
John mus be suffun some'rs."
"Why?'
"Oh, DIES knows it; kase eff he ain't
at make he talk so weak? He bleedz
to be in trouble. I'm tellin's you de
Lords tlufe-dat W tie man talk like he
amt bigger den ond er deze year little
teenchy chany dolls. boun' you," he
continued "ef ruz a wife CONAN en-
Mars John wuZ my ole man I'd snatch
up my bonnet en- I'd naturally sail 'roun
dish yer town twel | fine out wat der
matter wild i'm. | would dat
The old man Miss Sally laughed until
the tears came into her eyes, and then
she said
There's piece Of pie on the side
/ ~, -