The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-02-14
lFrom Dio Lewis Monthly.]
BIG JACK SMALL,

Yer see, Parson," began Mr.. Small
after short, quiet consultation with
his pipe, "they say at bull-punchin' s
slow business, but they don't know
People kin tell what they don't know
powerful slick-like. Let some O
them talkin' fellers what knows all
about this business in three squints
from a stage-coach winder-let 'em
try it on. Let 'em stand it once, an
chop wood, build a fire, cut bacon,
make bread an coffee, an so on, all in
the same minute-an' do it faster
they kin write it down in a letter, AN
they wun't talk so much with their
MOUTH
'Yes; I was just, in the moment
you began to speak, rejecting on the
multiplicity of your duties and the
rapid execution Of them. Does not
your life wear upon you terriblyP"
mo, sir. Hits head-work does it,
Seems to me when feller has big
idee in his head, an is jest a-boomin
with the futur, an lookin' forward,
that work doesn't hurt him derned
bit Hits hangin' back ON the yoke
at wears feller out-an' a OK, too.
When l used to foller plow, by the
days work fer wages, an havin' no
pint ahead to steer to-no place to
unload at wasn't no more account
than cripple in county poor
house!"
what is your great aim at this
timeP-if may be so impolite as to
make such an inquiry on so short ac-
quaintance," queried Mr.. Signal, in a
soft voice and balmy manner.
20, no; nothin' imperlite about it.
Open out on me, Parson, when you
feel like it. I hain't got no secrets.
Ny great aim is to play my game up
to the handle. Every feller's got a
game. Some's politics, some's relig-
ion, some's big money, some's land,
some's keards, some's wimmen an
good clo'es, some's good, some's bad"
said Mr.. Small, rapidly, and punctu-
ating his remarks with puffs Of to-
bacco smoke; san my game is to hev
the best eight yoke O. cattle, an the
best wagons, an pull the biggest load
to yoke, in these yere mountains; and
then" he added, laughing and strok-
ing his long bronze beard, II kinder
think there's solid square-built gal
some'rs what I amt jest seen yit,
that's a-waitin' in her 'daddy's front
porch fer a feller like mean the old
man he's gittin' too old, an hahn t
got no other children, an he's jest a.
walkin up an down under the shade
trees, expectin' a feller about my size
an build, what kin sling ink in the
Bank O. Californy for about ten thou
san cash, honest money. How's that
fer high, Parson?" And Mr.. Small
roared with his loudest laugh, until
the parson and Gov joined sympa-
thetically.
"A very laHdable endeasor, Mr..
Small; and let me say that heartily
wish you God-speed!"
"Amen, Parson! I don't know ef
kin make it. But that's my game;
an ef | can't make it-well, hits bet
ter to hev game an lose it than
never to play at all. Hain't it, Par
son?"
''It surely is. No good endeavor is
| ever eHtlTely lOSt. UOu, III Ills Sreat
providence, gives terminating power
to the minute seed of the plant which
grew and died last year, though the
seed may have been blown miles
away"
"Do you believe" said Mr.. Small
after long pause, in which he raised
the bake-kettle lid with the point OF
stick, and piled more hot Goals upon
the top-"do you b'lieve, fer certain
dead sure-that God looks after all
these things?"
Surely, Mr.. Small. Have we not
the blessed promises in the good
book?'
Il don't jest reck'lect what we've
got in the good book. But do you