The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-18
TPsatsd ~ Special Arran0emsnt- Copyrighted 1851
3 ET OR OW.
BY MAT GRIM.
A Dialect Story of Georgia Life.

NIr. Jesse Crow sat on the front fence with his
feet comfortably resting on the lower rail. whit
ting stick. Crops had been '.laid by" and he
felt that he could afford to sit en- the fence and
engage in the pleasing recreation of whiting.
But it was not on this particular occasion en-
ioyed as heartily as usual. 1t seemed to be a
mere mechanical occupation to aid him in eolv-
ing knotty problem. He was small, wiry,
mild-eyed man, with deeply-tanned complexion
and good numored expression He was pros
porous farmer. and highly respected in the set
Element, where he had good reputation for fair,
honest dealing and clear judgment though often
permitting his love of money to oyerrule the
rigid laws of justice.
'Hit amt no use in ben' hard on emmy cree
tur," he would say mildly. eve 'uns amt all
been tried erlike an thar mought be extinguish-
In circumstances ter jedge by if we 'uns could
see EN-"
But this morning his brows were drawn to-
gether in a perplexed frown and he stared at the
slowly sharpening splinter with distracted eyes.
The steady, even fall of hoofs upon the hard dry
road reused him from his reflections, and glanc.
ing up he saw Jim Edwards, his neishbor and
crony, approaching on his old gray mare. Mr.
Jesse Crow hailed him with hearty delight.
Wont you uns light an come imp he asked
Hospitality.
NO. reckon not this mornin.' Nancy's in er
pow'ful hurry for some truck, but don't know
as l min iinin' you 'uns thar a little while"
He dismounted, threw the bride over low
projecting limb of the great chestnut tree stand
49, "A IN fou at
the fence by the side of his friend.
'sYou 'uns have hearn erbout Tom Fannin a
taking that money from Bill Sanders, down whar
they air d workin' on the new railroadP he said
fumbling for his knife from mere force of habit,
and settling himself for a little gossip.
eyes," said Mr. Crow, seriously. San don't
min saying that never wus more TUX down."
well, / thought better o Tom than that my
self, but you uns know what the Scriptures say
bout Satan allus havin' work fertidle hands ter
do, an hits purity well known Tom Fannin's as
lazy as his hide kin hold"
Eyes, that's so, asserted his companion.
Edwards stole a glance at him, shifted the to-
bacco around in his mouth, and then
'sHow does Bet take hitY" he rather efficiently
inquired.
'Thats what's pesterin' me erbout the mat
Ger, Edards," exclaimed Mr.. Crow, dropping the
last silver from his whiting, and turning to-
ward his companion. "Bet lows he didn't do hit
she knows in reason he didn't, an ter that point
she sticks"
"But, man alive, the money was found in his
pocket. Hit wus this way, an hearn hit frum
Bill hisself Him an Tom has been roomin'
AZ Hoxr
thar, an Bill one mornin put $50 in the top er
his trunk with nobody seein' hit but Tom. At
dinner time hit wus gone. The men, black an
white, wus all fer havin' their pockets searched.
an when they come ter Toms coat hangin' on
er bush thar was the money sucked down in the
little pocket Some er the boys say he turned
mighty white, an lowed he didn't know twas
thar, an kept on denyin' hit but the pint is, how
did hit come thar thenl"
'.Ive tole Bet that time an agn, but every
time she seq. Pap, know he didn't take hit. ;"
How do you uns know9 says I.
"''Cause he SEE so. as if that kin clar up the
matter Thar amt no reasonin' with wimmen
folks Ed'ards.'
That's so, Jesse. If you 'uns ak EN- why
they believe sech an sech they1l be apt ter say
les cause an that's all the sense you 'uns kin
git out er EN-"
"Hit amt my fault Bets been keepin'
comp'ny long o. Tom Fannin-hit's er puzzlin'
thing ter me how she kin like him, KNOWN he is
lazy an sorter triain, but Bets got er head O.
her own" with sudden touch of pride, and
fumbling along the rail for another loose
splinter.
~ - 4 - -
Jesse Crow, an I'd been mighty glad if she'd a
tux ikin' ter Pink. She knows how ter work
an she amt afeerd ter put her hand to nit.
Her nam han't split her, that's fact" said
Mr. Crow, modestly "Thar she comes now, y
he continued, raising his head and glancing
across the road.
She had been to the spring, and walked
briskly up the path and across the dusty road,
her snn-bonnet swinging from one hand, pail
of water poised evenly on her head Her black
hair hung in a thick braid down her back. the
sun had tanned her skin to fine brown tint, a
ruddy glow in her cheeks, and full, firm lips
Her bright. steady eyes were dark gray, aud
when she smiled two rows of even white teeth
were disclosed to view.
"a likely" girl indeed dressed in neat, clean
cotton gown, its clumsy folds not able to hide
the graceful development of her figure. She was
Jesse Crows only child, and he regarded her with
a just feeling of pride, and though it had now
taken perplexing turn felt secretly pleased at
her disposition and ability TO have her own way.
Edwards nodded to her with friendly smile.
'sMornin', Bet"
"Mornin', Mr.. Edards. How's Mis- Ed'ards
and the chillunq' she inquired in pleasant
soft-toned voice, pausing at the gate.
'''Bout as common, Bet"
She l0oka6 inuuirnoly at him. Mr. Edwards
cleared his throat.
Nov, Bet. You 'uns amt agoin' ter be onreas-
enable bout this Fannin scrape, air yerl'
sudden flush passed over her face. and she
lifted the trimming pail from her head and
placed it on the fence.
depends on what you 'uns mean by that, Mr.
Edards, hopin' you'll take no offense talkin' so
plain
II mean you 'uns amt agoin' ter hold up fer
him agin everybody else an poster yer nam an