Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-17
Judge Browns Watermelon Story.

From she ArbdnSGI0 - "dOsLer.
My father was the finest watermelon grower
in the country. Melon culture was his de-
light. | particularly remember one crop.
just before the melons began to get ripe my
father called Black Bill and me and said: 81
want you bows to understand one thing II
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 correspond with the tracks shall get
whipping that he can never forget. See
this hickory?" pointing to long and cruel
looking switch which he had placed above the
dining room door. "Well, If either of you
wants 10 catch this switch pitch IN " Bill
hook his head and muttered that he didn't
want it; that he would rather be killed by
steer (old Buck a few weeks before had
thrown Bill against a tree and knocked off
the bark than to be cut TO pieces with such
switch; and assured my stern parent that
so far Is | was concerned he might rest in
peace. Bill was the only negro we had, and
although he was compelled to 20 to church
every sunday, riding on the seat behind the
buggy, and although be sat in the buggy dur
ing 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 / went out and looked at the melon
patch. There, living in the sun, striped and
tempting, lay beautiful melon. All, if there
were anything that could make a southern
boy forget honor it was a watermelon.
trembled, for knew l could not prevent my
switch came up before me. An idea struck
me. 1 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 fee, but 1 over
came this great draw back by stuffing them
with grass. l slipped around and entered the
patch from locust thlcket. rain had
fallen the day 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 l
returned BilPs shoes. That afternoon while
Bill and were in the yard saw my father,
carefully carrying small stick, enter the
gate. His face wore an unusually stern eX-
preston and / saw that there was something
wrong.
II don't think that much measuring is
needed on this OCCASION" said he, glancing at
the stick. Bill, where are your shoes?"
''ln de cabin, sah."
Bring them here"
lie brought the shoes. The old gentleman
applied the measure and said: Fresh dirt on
them see."
BilPs face became 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 brought the switch. Then Bill be-
gan 10 dance. | never did SEQ 4 fellow get
himself into so many different shapes, and IL
seemed that every shape was better suited to
the switch. had to snort. | couldn't help
It. kept out OF Bill's way as much AS pos
sible, for he seemed 10 look reproachfully at
me- but he did not accuse me Of delivering
him up to the enemy, and mad begun to per-
suade myself that Bill had stolen the melon.
when two days later came 20 GRIEF. Bil
and were again 10 the yard when my father
entered the gate, carrying small stick.
"John," said he as he, approached, "where
are your shoes"
"ln the house, sir"
Bring them here"
81 got my shoes. Great Caesar there was
fresh soil ON 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 delight and
brought the switch
"PaD," cried. please don't whip me;
amt done nuthiD'-Dh-'
danced, 1 enpered aud met the switch M
every turn. In my agony ] caught sight Of
niil standing al the corner Of the house and
snoring Ike a glandered horse. bill kepi
out u my way, bat that evening met him
aud asked;
t'iilll. how dld you wear my shoes "
"liOw ava yer war mine -
"put FFnas ~ 'em,"
"Wnif tuck er par ~ short siiiU an pni
yer rh0es 90 10 ends ~ EN- Reckon wees
orhoui even uas, on. I iril yer Nhura ~
fark, JobB, "A dOnit 30 iff fool via me, casf
iag 0ns y W 'n'inleo ~ a. aainle,'