New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-16
DOWN SOUTH.
prsTus IN "TRowsIEs,n AND JAKE SEEKS

Limestone ,ownshlp, Dec Ill say, now,
buccum dat 'Ristus IN trouses ~
Black Jake. Long Black Jake as he was usually
called, put this question in great excitement one
morning not many DAYS after that day when we did
not buy the Case horse. He at the wooapiie
cutting wood. The Inhabitants Of the Aver caoih were
strollng about near. The twins were scrap'ng ketes
on bench at the back door, and OF course were
screaming, for their talk could hardly be called any
thing else Tho dogs had protected so much during
the previous night that they were induiging In
prolonged morning nap.
When Black Jake uttered the above interrogation
Ella and Ellen dropped their Kettles and rushed into
the foreground still holding the scrapng knives IN
their hands ami fourshng the weapons, enureiy re-
CARELESS Of the fact that people had eyes not TO speak
of other features when they were pulled back they
submitted in the most respectful manner, and as
s,ued us that they would not put our eyes out not
fur nawthins and that It the fault OF the
kettles that they had knives in their hands at all
We all went forward a good way that we might
the better SEQ the figure advancing up the mountain
OF course It 'Ristus. for he bore baby IN his
arms and we could his long light hair.
Yes he was certainly, Jake had said, :" IN
trousess He also had blue flannel Shirt ana
broad felt hat turned up in front in the most ap-
proved maintain fashion.
Law me- JIs' luke him !" cried Ella
Law mel Jis' luke at him" cried Ellen, ana
they both began to laugh flourish their knives
and for tho second time subsidized in perfect respect
Nv friend asserts that respect IS the twins trump
card She saws that IL is impossible TO PUNISH
children properly for wrongiOine wher they are SO
saturated with deep, not to say admirlng respect ior
you The knowledge OF this respect paraiy]es 'io
arm of reproof Amabel used TO spend hours "s'on-
ing these children and forming theories ABOUT .ne
I believed that she was always too hard on mem.
Nv theory that the poor little wretohes couio no
be so deep Dccp!' Amabcl would cry "ens
are shallow TO them. l shouldn't wonder II 'hcS
had a train of action arranged with an eye 10 con-
seouencos year hence. See how queer and reservoir
they are 10 any of their old companions who happen
70 come 10 the Ayers They have made Mrs Aver
almost believe that they don't care any more loi
those low-lved creatures that they have risen IN
their tastes I've inclined 10 believe 1t Also Tor Ella
and Ellen have hardly crevoe in their armor. Ihoy
frichten me with their skill. The other uaN
those two Colwen girls here those lying, dirty
creatures whom Mrs. Aver distTusts so, and Win
whom she will not let the twins associate "heh
they had gone Mrs. Aver said impcssively that sne
should be very unhappy II Ella and Ellen shouio
e,,e- ne like the Colwells: that she would sacrifice
great deal rather than have that happen those
little girls listened with such devout respect was
TOO much no children could possibly be a. deferendai
nc they looked. ] watched them more closely than
l had ever done. When Mrs. Aver was talking, Ella
glanced at Ellen and almost winked she didn't quite
wink, because just then she saw me looking at her
against a child that she had almost winked To this
remark OF mine Amabel responded that she believed
We should both live long enough TO know she was
right She further said that, without the shgh'ert
tangible foundation for her suspicion, she yet oenoveo
that the twins had secret meetings with those nasty
Colwells."
But Will. am writing this 'Ristus is coming up
the hill toward US Before he has mounted very
far our company has been increased By everybody on
the Aver farm. We all gaze with intense interest
at the boy who is not wearing long coat and
sunbonnet Everybody manifests the keenest sur
prise save perhaps, Amabel II strikes me as
glance al her that she is trying TO look surprised
with the rest Now l recall certain mysterious ana
solitary visits to clothing stores when we were IN
Ashevile the other day. visits concerning wmch
Amabel wac eAasperstngly commttal at the time
'Ristus is startlingy picturesque did not Know
bsfo4e that broad felt hat such thing OF
beauty or that a course blue flannel shirt and heavy
trousers could be so ornamental
AS the boy came nearer to us we saw that he was
FLUSHING deeply. He kept shifting the baby from one
shoulder 70 the other He evidently could not quite
believe there skirts dangling about his anReS'
As soon as he reached he put the baby down on
pile of oat straw and took of his hat shyly Black
Jake was laughing with deep cultural sounds. The
twins were showing an interest had never noticed
In them before and which irritated me. 1t somehow
made their faces look coarse and ropnsive
Mr. Aver stepped forward and put his hand on the
boys shoulder.
al congratulate you, 'Rstus,D he said heartily.
GPm ashamed of myself that I didn't see that you
had some clothes long ago. 1t is demoralzng 10 20
round dressed you've BEEN
Mrs Aver took 'Rislus's hand. You've no idea
what a change for the better this ISL she said But
where did you get these thngs''
was conscious that Amabel moving into the
background.
I'D like mighty well ter tell yer, MIS- aver
he replied, but l given TO understand as t"ar
or kind of er secnt like"
Az he spoke he looked full and beseechingly at
Amabel, thus revealing the "secrt" Immediately lie
seemed greatly surprised, however, when we turned
TO my friend and asked why she did not give us
chance 30 contribute mite toward 'Rstus's new
suit. She tried 10 explain that as she had deciueo
TO put a certain amount Of money into the case hoss'
and then did not do 1t, why, she had made just hat
and must spend ii some way. 1t occurred 10
her that a simple outfit for Rstus would sun leave
her with few dollars in hand, besides giving her
a great deal OF pleasure And 'Ristus isn't sorry
either IS he, Ristus ?" she said lightly, turning TO
the boy who with his hat still in his hand, advanced
few steps toward her then paused, looking at her.
His sensitive red mouth quvering, and was
afraid he was going cry. His peculiarly soft,
light brown eyes did shed any tears though they
seemed to be full HIS face and bearing showed
gratitude that absolutely passionate After
minute he spoke with entire absence Of selfcon-
sclousncss, longer blushing
II don't reckon as nawthin could be known as
how jis' hated Ter them ole things er mine.
But. yer see. I'd CURT 10 wear sumpln', an thems
all I'd CURT couldn't noways git ter earn 'nough
Ger buy nawthn'. Yer see, Ole Pink he'd ter hev
ell cd git workn' fur Mr. Penland; yer see, she
he'd ter hev 1t fur my eatns. l ulster think as how
I'd GO 'thout eatins, SOS / cd hev trousies
an ] tried hit once't. But somehow reckon as we
be made fur ter have pone, or sumpin'. Anyways.
be made tLataway. So l he'd ter 60 back ter Ole
PINK I'd jls' bout give hit ell up bout tousies
We know. when I've been ter preachin useter
hear 'em tell as must be reconciled ter what
happens ter US. Yer / reckoned as how that
meant me- hit meant as ter be rccoDciled ter
not bevn' trousies in this life. Pve ben ryin' ter