The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-28

! Stralgnt up ana tell &c tfOo1 ana shame
de debbil. like a Dandelion orter ter
do" His mother spoke truly. He was
not brave, he was not honest. but when
worsted, was cunning enough to throw
dust in the eyes of his antagonists. and
get off skin whole while they were rag.
ing in the arena
1t had been a very bad season for wa
termelons in and around Centreville,
and melons were commodity in which
Dandelion dealt He had shackly old
cart and mule, Jim Crow, which was
lean enough and old enough to be
turned out to grass, and during the
melon season from early morning until
late evening, the streets of Centreville
resounded with, the melon-vendor's
| cries.
"Watermillions! Big ones. little ones
and 'tweens! Watermellions! red, white,
yaller, all kinds and all pricesr'
But this season old Jacobs melon
| patch was a failure. There had been q
| drought, and the patch was a sorry
waste OF yellow vines and leaves, and
not half a dozen melons on it. Dam
delion rode out in the neighborhood to
buy up all the melons for his trade, but
| the drought had been as hard on the
| farmers fields as in his own patch.
Il reckon, Dandelion, you'll not make
much by your melon trade this sea-
son." said Farmer Wharton. There
| amt fifty melons to be found if you
scour the parish from end to end. Yes,
thar is one place | passed last week,
where the melons is as thick as bristles
on a hogs back. But it's too fur for
you to buy 'em and bring 'em to town,
and | don't reckon old Grandad Jimp-
son would sell one. If that old Niger
lived near town he'd make fortune
this summer off his melon-patch. Do
you know he watered his vines all the
time OF the drought"
''Grandad Jimpson, he lives most ten
mile from town. and a awful road"
Dandelion said, in a despairing tone.
Just So" said the farmer laughing.
TOO fur for Jim Crows old bones, and
that shackly cart of yourn. Put melons
out of your mind, boy, and make profit
on the walnuts and pecans you will sell
this fall. There are enough of them all
round here"
But Dandelion could not put the mel
ous out of his mind. He said nothing to
any one of his intentions. but rose at
the dawn of day, saddled Jim Crow,
and took the road to Grandad jump
sons.
A bad road it was and seldom ira
versed, but Dandelion's keen eyes saw
it was not impossible. For nearly half
a century the old negro had lived on his
out-of-the-way farm with no neighbors,
finding its products ample for his wants,
and that of an elderly daughter.
widow, who lived with him. Once
year the pair drove in an old-fashioned
gig to Centreville to exchange butter
and eggs, feathers and other farm
products, for tobacco and coffee, but
neither showed any disposition to move
their quarters to a more thickly-settled
neighborhood.
According to the custom of the coun-
try. Dandelion drew up Jim Crow at
the gate, and without dismounting
called out to the old man on the porch:
'.Mornin', Grandad Jimpson."
The old man Immediately rose, and
hobbled out to the gate, peering Curl
ously at the stranger
'Mornin'. JEFF" he said. you is jeff
Rice. amt you? You favors him con-
siderably?n
No, sir, Use Dandelion, Jacob Me-
grhns's son."
Jacobs son! dellaw me. l knowed
yer dad when he wasn't knee-high ter
a duck! Light, sonny, and come in de
house"
Thus permitted. Dandelion dismount-
ed. and followed his host to the single |
room the cabin contained.
You has seen my darter, Misty. l |
reckon" introducing the woman, who |
was carding cotton bats for an old wheel |
which stood near her. ..Wot did |
you come way out here fur, Dande-
lion?"
As usual the boy could not tell the |
truth.
We'll, coined ter see eff you could
spare US some tunnip seed"
Il reckon"
Grandad was not free giver, in fact,
rather disposed to miserliness. but he
couldn't refuse few seeds. In burst |
of generosity he added:
I'll gin you half pint OBJ fine tun-
nip seed, and I'm gwine ter cut big
watermillion fur you! Jest look at dat
fellar," rolling an enormous melon from
under the water shelf. "Aint it whop-
PERI
Dandelion's heart gave an exultant
throb, but he thought to himself, "Ef
'mires dat million, he'll raise de
price" so he said, quietly.
Yes, it's fine watermillion. but
lawdy, Grandad. you Jest oughter see