The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-06-27
Tom sawyer's Fence.


Tom Sawyer, having offended his sole
guardian, Aunt Polly, is by that sternly
affectionate dame punished bv being set
70 wh;towas,, +ho f,rao :, $50 - ~.
y .'i'e"n,n -, '''o ,elee IL l,on0 " iier
earoen. Inc world seemed hollow
mockery to Tom, who had planned fun
for that day. and he knew that he wou1d
be the laughing stock of all the bows as
they came past and saw him set to work
like "nigger." But a agreatinspiration
burst upon him, and he went TRANQUILITY
to work. What that inspiration was
will appear from what follows:
One of the boys, Ben Rogers. comes
by and pauses, eating particularly fine
apple. Tom does not see him. Ben
stares for moment and then says:
"Hi-yi! you're q stump, amt you ?"
No answer. Tom surveyed his last
touch with theeye OF an artist, then he
gave smother gentle sweep and sur
veyea the result as before. Ben ranged
up alongside of him. Toms mouth
watered for the apple, but he stuck to
his work. Ben said:
Hello, old chap; you've got to work
hey?"
why. it's you, Ben; wasn't notic-
ing"
say, l am gong IN swimming, 4 am;
Don't you wish you could? But OF
course YOU'D rather WORK, wouldn't you
course you would
lom contemplated the ooy a oit' ana
saia .sM.a. -, .., .,
.,M,i What 90 YOU eau WORK "a,
Why, an 1nae' Worh
rom resumed ms Whltewashlng, ana
answered w, e. carelessl5 J,
Wen, may be 1t Is, and maybe 1t
ami. AL Know ls' II suits Iom Saw
yer.
ooh, come now.you don't mean to let
on you like it? :"
The brush continued to move.
Like it? Well, l don't see why l
ought to like it. Does boy get chance
to whitewash Tense every day"
That put the thing in q new light.
Ben stopped mbbllng at his apple.
eIom swept his brush dalntliy back and
forth, stepped back to note the effect,
added touch here and there, and criti-
cised the effect again, Ben watching
every move, and getting more and more
interested, more and more absorbed,
Presently he said:
Say, Tom; let me wllitewash little. y
Tom considered-was about to consent
but altered his mind
"No, no; reckon it would hardly do
Ben. You see, Aunt Polly's awful par
ticular about this fence-right here on
the street, you know-but if twas the
back fence | wouldn't mind, and she
wouldn't. Yes, she's awful particular
about this fence; it's got to be done very
careful; I reckon there amt boy in
a thousand, maybe two thousand, that
can do it in the way it, got to be done. ;
"-No-is that SO? Oh. come now.
lemme just try, only Just a little. I'd
let you, if you was me, Tom"
aBen, I'd like to. honest Ininn. Int
Aunt Polly-well, Jim wanted to do
it, but she wouldn't let him. Sid
wanted to it, but she wouldn't let Sid.
Now, don't you see how am fixed? If
you was to tackle this fence and any,
thing was to happen to it-n
"Oh, shucks! I'll be lust as careful.
Lemme try. Say-I1l give YOU the core
of my apple"
"Well, here. No, Ben; now don't;
Tn afear-"
"I'll give you all of it!a
Tom gave up the brush with reluc-
tance in his face. but alacrity in bis
heart. And while Ben worked and
sweated in the sun the artist sat on n
barrel in the shade close by. danpled his
legs, munched his apple. and
planned the slaughter Of more
innocents. There was no lack Of materi-
al; boys happened along every little
while: they came TO ieer. INT remainad
to wbitewash. By the t;me Ran u.os
tagged ont Tom had traded the nayt
chance to Billy Fisher for a kite n poo,l
repair; and when he PLAYED ont .Iohn
Miller bought it for a toy rat aud q
string to swing il with. and So on. bour
after bour And whom +la ,,,idd1a -