The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-23
me, an don't see how I ken lead you koI l.ao.. :: u.


 me, an I don't see how I ken lead you in CT trap. Elf had been in sich com- man O traps I would Ter slep' at my home las' night stead O layin out here. l ain't CT good man, ken tell you that, an 1 have did things that Christun would sorter shake his head at, but I don't wanter lead you in no trap. l jest wanter see my folks one mo time an then Pll go out an hop up my head un'er CT tree. You won't hear no bellerin', I Een tell you that. My wife won't beg an my daughter won't. They'll gin you some pies an sweet bread, Tow, an tell me good bye, an that will be ther eend O it. Don't think, gentlemen, that Pm beg gin' fur my life, but jest fer a chance ter take one mo- squint at them folks
 T don't see no harm in lettin' you look at yo' folks ergin,' said the sar- geant. I don't b'Peve that you could lead us into trap eff yer wanted ter, fur we've beat about the bush here tell yo' sorter fellers is pretty skace. cICH ulin dlOuS, OOyss
 "Wall, they tuck me home, an when we went inter the house Moll-that's my wife-she wus CT bakin' some pies on the hath. She looked up an says, says she: Sandy, I see they've got you. It do peer like bad luck comes in CT bunch. Last night the owls tuck off the Dominecker hen am now the Yankees have cotch you. It do peer like we never will git straight no mo-. Thar's meanin' my daughter-'tore her coat when she got over the fence this mornin' an thar ain't enough home'ade stuff on ther place ter fix her up agin. Sandy, they are goin' ter hang you, 1 reck- on.'
 "'Yas,' flowed.
 "Wall, that's whut I flowed, too, an'-wall, fur pity sake, eff my pies ain't most bodatiously burnt up.'
 "Then the sergeant, alter sorter snickerin' at my wife-an' he neenter done that fur thar ain't smarter woman round here nowhars-turned to me an said:
 "Have you finished all yo' arthly Engagements? Pm sorter pushed fur time an kain't negleck my duty in talkin' erbout family erfairs, however pleasant that mout be; so keep yo' promise now an come on out here an take yo' medicine.'
 "'Yas, Sandy said my wife, 'ef you've got to take it go an swaller it down, but Fll declar' ter goodness Pm nightly pestered erbout them pies bein' burned. Pm afeered Pm sorter losin' my mind. Sandy, reckon I'd better crap that bottom field on sheers et ken git any body to do ther squar' thing by me-
 "Just then my daughter Zelda come in. Wife she ,made a sly motion at her, an Zelda she bowed ter the men an sot down, an then 1 hearn the sar- geant whisper to one O his men an say: She's the puttyest critter ever seed.' He sot down am gunter wind the rope up in ball. The cat went over an bumped her back an' gunter rub herself agin the sargent's leg. Come away, kittie,' said Zelda. You l hhVS II V OC cO INV WAtA COll P ny TUT they mout think you ain't got good manners.' She smiled, an seed a new light creep inter the sargent's eyes. 'Aint' you glad,' Zelda, speakin' ter the sargent, that the war is mighty nigh over?'
 "tThe Lawd in heaven knows I am, , he replied, fur Pm sick O seein' blood.'
 "tI never woulder had nuthin' to do with it, said I, if it hadnter been showed on me-
 "sWhy didn't you go inter the rec o'nized army, stead O bushwhackin'?' the sergeant asked.
 "Cause couldn't get a whack at the folks I wanted. You see, some O the folks in this community got inter the habit O shootin' at me, am bein' a mighty han ter take up ideas that is surgested by folks, I trapped sorter nach'ly inter ther habit O shootin' a, them. They stayed right here, an SO did l, an ever once in a while I'd drap one O em; but ain't never shot at a Union soldier yit, an never wanted ter. I coulder trapped you t'other day when you wuz ridin' under Spencer's bluff, fur I wux right above you.'
 .He didn't say nothin' fur some time, but he kep' q lookih' at Zelda