Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-04-12

will STAN up"
Brother Jackson stood up at once, and
every eye was rivetcd upon him.
"Brudder Jackson, it's my painful
pleasure to 'quire OBJ you whar you was
las Monday night"
az had dc neutrality" said Brother Jack
son, who was very little and very old,
San staid away on count of IL. cotched
cold dis day two weeks a-wadin' in lie
creek after minners. had on my bes'
pants, an took 'em off count O. spilin'
'enl, an my legs bein' s'posed-"
"Ds explanation is pleasin' an salts
fact'ry TO all" interrupted Brother Park
er, as several of the young members of
the congregation giggled and covered
their faces with their hands; "the per-
tic'lers oh de transaction is unnecessary.
We will now perceed to de mex question
10 de board :gDid you see Sister Mack's
horgs last night"
"Yes, did," answered Jackson, looL-
ing confused. 81 Went ober to see Sister
Mack, ter get suffin' fer my neuraljy; an
looked in de horg pen as l went by, but
-D
can you let 'cm outer lie pen, knows
you did," interrupted Aunt Sylvie, rising
to her feet. "It amt 40 usn my tryin
ter keep horgs, nohow. Dat cabin of
yourn's got dc plague. De las man what
&, Nx-tf fpl Iaanin'
horgs, too. He's deaG now, an ain't dc
one ter 'cusc dc dead; but had TO or five
horgs while he was dere, an dey dwin-
died down ter one. don't say what came
oh 'em. De mans dead, an amt h'yar
ter speak fer hisself; but dose horgS got
sca'ce uncommon fas'. Folks in dis var
neighbahood's got dc horg fever, pears
like. l saw Brudder Pole a-carryin' long
q fat shote las night, an it looked pow'ful
like"
"Ef dis h'yar meetin's gwine ter low
a mizerble niggah 'oman ter frow mud ut
de brudders, | baigs ter be lowed ter
leave" interrupted cadayerouS looking
individual, turning uneasily in his seat
"Ef dc church has got emmy 'quiries ter
make, I'se ready an willin' ter answer
'em; but l wont sit still in dc Lawd's house
an take no 'oman's tongue. | amt h'yar
fer dat, nohow."
"Dis byar quiry mectins called to git
de perticlers bout Sister Mack's horgs,"
said Brother Parker with dignity, can
we dom wanter take up fresh questions at
present. Sister Mack will please ter con-
fine herself to dc matter In han. Now,
dose horgs must gone somehow, an IL
stan's to rea-"
lie was interrupted by loud gruntinS
outside the church, and the next instant
four lean black hogs rushed into the midst
of the congregation, closely pursued by Il
small black boy, whose face wore de-
cided jubilant expression.
"Hyar's yer horgs, Aunt SylVie," he
cried, as the old woman started from her
seat in surprise and uttered loud cXcla-
nation. 81 foun' 'em down in Mr.. Jack
sons tater patch, rootin' roun' like mad.
Dey'd bus trough de fence, an reckons
dey's bout spilled dat tater crop" .-
Aunt Sylvie's face was study. Cha
grin was plainly painted OH it.
She turned to Brother Jackson.
"Ef you rally specks me ter fall OH yer
neck like dc Probable Son, and ask you
ter forgib NE, you's countin' out'n de
way coEsid 'ble," she said, stifiiy. "But
Ise free ter own I'sc been in dc wrong,
dough from fus' to las I nebah 'cused
nobody"
81 tries ter be n follerer in de straight
an narrer path" said Brother Jackson,
meckly, cam I don't bar no malice
gainst Sister Mack. But hopes.ds bru1-
ders an sisters elected y'yar dis evening
will gree wild me dat quiry meetin's
necessary ter settle de questions oh dam
ages ter my 'tater crap" -
"Dat's all foolishness," said Aunt Syl-
vie. "ITorgs is horgs de worl ober, and
is boun' ter get inter tater patches cf dcy
kin. An dough DON 'cusc Brother
Jackson OBJ laz'ness, mus say lie don
keep his fences any too tight. But ain't
any desc h'yar stubborn folks dat wont sec
no sense, au' Of you choose ter call on me
tcr-morrcr we III talk de matter ober peace
able. ........
accepts de invitation ia de sperit dat
it's offered, said Brother Jackson and the
Inquiry meeting broke up at once, Aunt
sylvie, with the aid OF the small boy,
driving the pigs from the church aud
turning their head homeward.
A week later, when Miss Sophie, sur
prised by company to tea, went to Aunt
Sylyie's for spring chickens, she found
the old woman tricked out with long ear
rings, yellow bead necklace, and new
turban.
You look unusually fine, Aunt Sylvie,
she said. What is going to happen? One
would imagine you were dressed for
wedding.
Yous bout right chile. Iag gwinc ter
weddin.
And how are the hogs? inquired Sophie,
smiling.
Deys tol'ble well, thanky, Miss.
The potatoes didn't prove too much for
them then. Pm glad Of that, said Sophie,
iacetiously. But how have you settled
with Tony about the damages he wanted!
Oh, dere aint no hard feelins either side
now. Mr.. Jackson aud mes ekalised dat
horg business wldout pealin ter de ciety.
Equalized it? f..4. ..- 81 .l.J
Yes, and Alnt Sylyie examined her
shining new shoes in an embarrassed man-