The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-11-12
TRACKS IN THE MELON PATCH.

in the Ark0nSoD TraCeler. Melon culture
was his delight. | particularly remem bel
one crop. just before the melons began tC
get ripe my father called Black Bill anG
me and said: II want you boys to under
stand one thing. If one of my melons is
stolen | am going to measure the tracks
that find in the patch and then measure
feet, and the owner of the feet that CORES.
pond with the tracks shall get a whipping
that he can never forget. See this hick-
ory?' pointing TO a long and cruel-looking
switch which lie had placed above the
dining-room door. "Well. if either OF you
wants to catch this switch, pitch in
Pill shook his head and mutteIed that Inc
didn't want it; that he would rattsr be
killed by a steer Gold Buck a few weeks
before had thrown Bill against a tree aud
knocked off the bark) than to be cnt to
pieces with such 4 switch, and | assured
my stern parent that SO far as | was con-
cerned he might rest in peace. Bill was
the only negro We had, ard although he
was compelled to go TO church evory Sun
day, riding on the seat behind the buggy,
and although he sat in the buggy during
services, and without effort could hear
every word Of the sermon. yet that BOY,
with all his careful training, was inclined to
be a thief.
The next day after the proclamation was
issued ! yen out and looked at the melon
patch. There, lying in the sun. striped
and tempting, lay q beautiful melon. All,
if there was anything tina could make a
southern boy forget honor it was a water
melon. | trembled, for | knew | could not
prevent myself from stealing it; and then
that awful switch came up before ne
An idea struck me. | went to the house,
stole into the cabin, and got Bills shoes.
What an enormous foot the rascal had
The shoes were so large that they would
not stay on my icet, but | oyercame this
great drawback by stuffing them with
grass. | slipped around and entered the
patch from a locust thicket. A rain had
fallen the night before, and | made decided
tracks in the level ground. | got the melon,
stole back to the thicket. and although it
was not ripe | ate more than half of it.
Then | returned Bills shoes. That after
noon while Bill and | were in the yard |
saw my father, carefully carrying a small
stick, entering the gate. His face wore an
unusually stern expression, and | saw that
there was something wrong.
II don't think that mnch measuring is
needed on this occasion, y said he, CHANGING
at the stick. 'Bill, where are your shoes9'
in de cabin. sab"
Bring them here"
He brought the shoes. The old gentle
man applied the measure, and said; Fresh
dirt on them, | see."
Bills face became a study. ''Doan
know how it come on dar. marster. Amt
wore 'em sense last Sunday
''Yes, that's all right. John, turning
to me, fetch me that switch My heart
smote me, but l brought the switch. Then
Bill began to dance. | never did see a fell
low get himself into SO many different
shapes. and it seemed that every shape
was better suited TO the switch. | had to
snort. I conldn't help it. | kept out Of
Bills way as much as possible. for he
seemed to look reproachfally at me, but he
did not accuse me of delivering him up to
the enemy, aud | had begun to pursuade
myself that Bill had stolen the melon,
when two days later | came to grief. Bill
and | were again in the yard when my
father entered the gate, carrying a small
stick. John, said he, as he approached.
''wliere are your shoes?
In the house. sir.
Bring them here"
| got my shoes. Great Caesar. there was
fresh soil OH them. "Come on, come on
said the old gentleman. | handed him
one shoe and dropped the other one. BILL"
said he. after measuring the shoe, bring
me that SWITCH Bill bounded with de-
light and brought the switch.
Pap" | cried, ''please don't whip me;
I amt done nuthin'. OIL
I danced. | capered, and | met the switch
at every turn. In my agony ! caught
sight of Bill standing at the corner of the
house and s%norting like a ~glandered horse.
Bill kept ont of my way. but that evening
met him and asked:
"Bill, how did you wear my shoes
"How did yer wa mine2"
Put grass in en-.
"Wall l tuek er par er short stills an
put yer shoes on de ends @ EN-. Reckon
we'se erbout even now. Oh, ! tell yer
whut's err fack, John, If won't do ter fool
wild me, case Use one o de 'n'inted by de
saints