Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-11-04
a wArsRmsEox STORY.
Hevv Holm Got she ssulge ON hi
aud Then Amain How Hze Didn't

aud rhen Axain BOsv He Didn't.
Arkansaw Traveller.
My father was the finest watermelon
grower In the country. Melon culture
was his delight. particularly remember
one crop. Just before the melons began
to get ripe my father called Black Bill
and me and said: II want you boys to
understand one thing II one of my
melons in stolen ain going to measure
the tracks that and 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 hickory2" pointing to long and
cruel looking switch which he had placed
above the dining-room door. "Well, if
either of you want TO catch this switch,
pitch in" Bill shook his head and NUT
tered that he didn't want it; that he would
rather be killed by steer Gold Buck a
few weeks before had thrown Bill against
tree and knocked of the bark) than 10
be- cut to pieces with such a switch; and
assured my stern parent that so far AZ ]
was concerned he might rest in peace.
Bill was the only negro we had, and
although he WAS compelled to go to
church every Sunday, 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 ser
mon, yet that boy with all his careful
trimming was inclined 10 be thief.
The next day after the proclamation
was issued went out and looked at the
melon patch. There, lying in the sun,
striped and tempting, lay o beautiful
| melon. All, If there were anything that
could make q southern boy forget honor
| il was o watermelon. trembled, for l
know / could not prevent myself from
stealing il, and then that awful switch
came up before me. An idea struck me.
l went to the house, stole into the cabin
aud got Bills shoes. What an enormous
| foot the rascal had The shoes were 30
large that they would not stay on my feet
but overcame this drawback by stuffing
them with grass. slipped around and
entered the patch from locust thicket.
A 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, l ate more
than half of it. Then l returned BilrH
shoes. That afternoon, while Bill and
were in the yard, 1 saw my father, care
fully carrying small stick, enter the
gate. His face wore an unusually stern
expression and saw that there WINS some.
thing wrong.
II don't think that much measuring is
needed on this OCCASION" said he, glanc-
ing at the stick. "Bill, where are YOU
shoes p
"In de cabin, sab"
Bring them here.n
He brought the shoes, The old gentle
man applied the measure and said
Fresh dirt on them, See"
Bills face became q study. 'DoaI
know how it come on dar, marster. AIM
wore 'em sense last Sunday"
Eyes, that's all right, john" turning
to me, ''fetch me that SWITCH" My heart
smote me, but ] brought the switch
Then Bill began to dance. never die
see a. fellow get himself into so man,
} different shapes, and il seemed that ever,
shape was better suited TO the switch.
had to snort. couldn't help it. KEEP
| out of Bills way as much as possible
/ for he seemed to look responsibility a
/ me, but be did not accuse me of deliver
+ ing him up to the enemy, and had begul
( to persuade myself that Bill had stoleI
the melon, when two days later came b
: grief. Bill and 1 were again in the var
. when my father entered the gate, carryin
! a small stick. John" sold he as he aT
I preached "where are your shoes ?"
o lin the house, SIR
I "Bring them here.n
8 got my shoes. Great Caesar ther
4 was fresh soil on them. "Oome on, com
+ on, said the old gentleman. / handle
a him one shoe and dropped the other ONT
s "Bill," said he after measuring the sho,
"bring me that switch" Bill bounde
It with delight and brought the switch.
o Pap" cried, "please don't whip me
i l amt done nuthin'-0h--'
b danced, capered and met I'll
r switch at every turn. In my agony
9 caught sight of Bill standing at the corn,
l. of the house and snorting like glai
4 dered horse. Bill kept out of my wa.
G but that evening met him and asked:
b "Bill, how did You wear my shoes ~
:, "How did yer war mine ?"
r Put grass in EN-"
n ;iWaii, l tuck er par er short stills a
). put yer shoes on dc enda . ON. EsckC
a, wo'se erbont even now. Oh, l tell y
r. whut's err fack, John, it don't do ter TO
wild me. case Use one o. de 'n'inted by I
II saints"