The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-11-17

house cleaning rites And he could neN
er understand why it was that Mr.. Mer,
dith always east such pitying glance
upon him when they met.
Judge Browns Watermelon
Story.
Ny father was the finest watermelol
grower in the country. Melon cultun
was his delight | particularly remem
her one crop just before the melons be
gan to get ripe my father called Blael
Bill and me and said Il want You boy
to understand one thing If one Of IN,
melons is stolen / am going to measur,
the tracks that | find in the patch anC
then measure feet. and the owner of tn,
feet tn II correspond with the tracks shal
get whipping that he can never forget
See this hickory" pointing 10 a long
and cruel-looking switch which he had
placed above the dining room door
Well, if either of yOa wants 10 catch
this switch pitch in" Bill shock his head
and mutiercd that he didn't want it that
he would rather be killed by a steer
told Buck few minutes before had
thrown Bill against a tree and knocked
off the bark than 10 be cut 10 pieces
with such a switch and / assured my
stern parent that 70 far as ! was concern
ed he might nest in peace Bill was the
only negro We had, and although he WAS
compelled 10 70 to church every Sunday
riding on the seat behind the buggy, and
although be sat in the buggy during ser
vices, and without effost could hear every
word Of the sermon, vet 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, lying in the sun,
stripped and tempting, lay a beautiful
melon. All, if there were anything that
could make a Southern boy forget honor
it was water melon. I trembled, for !
knew could not prevent myself from
stealing il and then that awful switch
came up before me; An idea struck me.
| went TO the house. stole into the cabin
and got Bills shoes. What an enormous
foot the rascal had Tie shoes were 80
large that they would not stay on my
feet. but ! overcame this drawback BY
stuifing them with grass | slipped
around and entered the patch from 10
Gust thicket. 4 rain had fallen the dav
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 il Then l
returned Bills shoes That afternoon
while Bill and | were in thu yard saw
my father,earefully carrying small stick
enter the gate. His face wore an unusu-
ally stern expression, and saw that
there was something wrong.
don't think that much measuring l.
needed ON this OCCASION said he, glanc-
ing at the stick. Bill, where are your
shoes
In de cabin, sah.r
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 senoe last Sunday"
Yes, that's all right John turning
10 me, fetch me that switch" Ny heart
smote me, but | brought the switch.
Then Bill began 10 dance. | never did
see fellow get himself into 30 many diff
ferent shapes, and it seemed that every
shape was better suited to the switch.
had to snort | couldn't help it. | kept
out of Bills way as much a. possible. for
he seemed TO look reproaehful at me, but
he did not accuse me for delivering him
up 10 the enemy, and had begun to per-
suade myself that Bill had stolen the
melon, when two days later came to
grief Bill and | were again in the ward
when my father entered tae gate, carry
ing a small stick. John said he. a. he
approached, = where are your shoes?
In the house, sir
Bring them here
got my shoes. Great Csesar, there
was fresh soil on them Come on. come
on, said the old gentleman. ! handed
him one shoe and dropped the other one
: Biz. said he, after measuring the shoe.
bring me that switch Bill bounded
with delight and brought the switch.
Pap" cried, please don't whip me;
l amt done nufhin'-Oh-7
/ danced, capered and | met the
switch al every turn. IN my agony
caught sight Of Bill standing al the cor
ner Of the house and snorting like CLAN
dered horse. Bill kept out Of my way.
but that egening met him and asked:
BID, how did you wear my shoes"
g How did YOU war mine?"
. Put, grass in EN-"
Well, tuck er par short s,ilts an
put yer shoes on de ends o EN-. Recken
we'se erbOut even now Oh, ] tell Yer
whut's er filek, John, it won't do ter fool
wid me, case Fse one o de 'n'inted BY de
saints