The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28
BROTHER DUcKLEHEAD.
CHAPTER I.

The new preacher went home with the widow Catney and her daughter. The widow was a spry little woman, and seemed to hide her age under busheI of little attractions. Miss Catney-Miss Patsey Catney-was an oldish looking girl. She was quiet, with but few giggles She was rather handsome, though, and appeared to take a delight in looking wise. The new preacher-a young cir cult rider with whom conference was experimenting, stood up bsavely under the name of Ducklehead. Well, he went home with the widow and her daughter. When they arrived at the farm- house, din ner was smoking on the table. having been placed there by slip-shed negro woman who had espied, from her watch-tower on the comb ofthe smoke house, the company coming. Mrs. Catney had decided that Mir. Ducklehead should accompany her home, hence the lookout from the smoke-house.
 "Walk right in, Brother Ducklehead, walk in," said the widow. Have this hickory chair. PAtsey, scare the old rooster of the porch, will you2 The chickens are about to take the place. Come, walk out to dinner. Wasn't any use in sitting down after all. Take this seat, Brother Ducklehead."
 Brother Ducklehead asked blessing, then meekly cast his eyes on a boiled ham.
 Nov just help yourself, Brother Ducklehead. Don't stand back. When a person comes to my house-shoo sherel The chickens are about to take the place. had to get rid of my geese. They tracked the house up so it looked shame full to see. like turkeys. You don't know what help they are in the tobacco patch. Wy they save the work of one regular hand. They walk along. peeping about an peck of the worms and"
 wy, maw!" said Patsey with an in- lection that denoted great Surprise.
 "What's the mattert" looking in as. tonishment at her daughter.
 "Nothing, maw, only did not sup pose that Brother Dicklehead would be particularly edi6ed-" she WIS always looking out for chance to say edihed- " l say that didn't suppose Brother Ducklehead would be particularly edi6ed by dissertation on the tobacco worm"
 Mrs. Catney, giving her daughter hard-cider look, cleared her throat with three edged ahem-hem -hem." The girl knew that she had reached the danger line and that it would be advis- able to fall back and fortiy.
 Have some of this aig-bread Brother Mucklehead-Ducklehead, mean. The aigs haven't been very good this season. l don't believe the hens are in good health" Patsey looked up appealingly at her mother but the widow continued {: "The mites got in among the chickens and have raised old Cain with them. Out of dozen and half of aigs that broke yesterday, there wa'n't but four good ones."
 Patsey dil not think that Brother Ducklehead could be very much edi6ed by such talk. but she said nothing.
 "The biscuit ain't very good" con- tinued the widow. "but Tow you won't find nothing better than this aig-bread." :"
 Sister Catney," said the preacher in waving intonation, "do you not think that can sustain the church in this neighberhooda" ?"
 I most certainly do. Patsey, pass the hominy."
 You know this is my first attempt at preaching. did not take up the calling because desired to make living by it, for l am very well to do, but because I thought that could accomplish much good. The church at this place, you know, fell into disuse several years ago, and thought that if could revive it and once more get the people interested in the maintenance of house of worship. it would be glory enough to fill my small vessel. am not ambitious--I have meat, thank you-and have never been exszavagant in my hopes and desirex"
 Afher dinner the good man and the two good women went into the sitting room. Patsey said that she had been much edi- led by his conversation. The old lady related in detail her household cares, and paid no attention to the appealing looks of her daughter. Passey, feeling that she was shut out, went into. the