Thomas County cat., 1889-11-14

Skincher. Here been
a-hoein' hard in de fiel all day, and he mean
'nough to dock my wages ten cents cause
! waren't back at noon jest at de minute. /
warn't late more'n half an hour or tree
quarters or an hour at de mos, an I was
dot cause had to see Sim Jones bout de
watermillions for de church fest'ble. But
I give him piece Of my mind"
Il 'spose MIR. Benson dom want to pay
for work he dom git"
'Don' gitl Why, thar was Sam Stevens
an Bill Jenkins; they talk more'n half de
time, an rested on they handles more'n
t'other half, an did he dock them anyi Not
he. He got spite gain me. know datdis long
time. An he's as close . pignut, any
way"
''Did you git yo' ten centsa" asked Aunt
Lucy, wisely waving arguments.
mo, didn't Nor he won't git no mo-
work outen me for nothin', an 30 top him
to his face" replied Goliath, following his
wife into the supper table, whereon the
corn was steaming in golden pile, the
red tomatoes were temptingly sliced, and
the redder watermelon occupied the place
Of honor in the center. The sight molhfied
to some extent the angry man, and his
grumblings died away in vague muttering.
"Whar'd you git dat new hoe!" queried
Aunt Lucy, as 'Liah hung that instrument
up in the wood-shed preparatory to souse
in the basin Of water ready in the kitchen
sink.
''Nebber you mind. Women always want
stick their nose into ebberyting."
Mr.. johnson was evidently in q very bad
humor.
'.An' what you done wild our ole hoe you
took away dis nooni You didn' trade dat
off for new one, dat I know, 'Liah," persisted
his wife.
"Yes, l did, # ye ,Ctu know.'
"'Liah Johnsing," blurted out Aunt Lucy,
as q sudden suspicion famed in her eyes,
"dat amt oce of Moses Benson's hoesi You
amt gone an changed of yo' ole hoe for
one his'n, hopei You wouldn' do dat if he
Is skincher, m you member de church,
'Liah Johnsingr'
''Miss Johnsing, you jest ten to yo' own
business. Dom you let me hear no mo-,
not one mo- word, bout dat hoe. You hear
mel"
With closely compressed lips Aunt Lucy
completed the preparations for supper. She
called in the children-six, of all ages-and
they sat down.
"Liah Johnsing, ask de blessing" she
said, her usualintimatlon that all was ready
for start, but on this occasion accom-
panied with look that said plainly: "If
you can"
The meal went somewhat gloomily of
The overtures of the younger fry to either
parent were grumpily met Supper things
being cleared away, young Sally sat down
to the melodeon in the parlor and played
Moody and Sankey songs for the johnson
oh Vrh haip oil OF IN, ho
and silently watched the young moon 20
down, each absorbed in unpleasing medita-
ton.
Suddenly, as bedtime drew near, 'Llah
rose and went into the house, saying a. he
went: Got to 20 down to de sto', Lucy. I
forgot got to NOW Dawkinses fiel to-mor-
row, an my whetstun's worn clean down to
de bone, an I've got to start of tomorrow
fore sto's OPEN"
'Liah had been gone hardly q minute
wher Aunt Lucy called in a tragic whisper
to Paul, her oldest boy, six years Of age,
who was just then deep in ''Only an Armor-
bearer ~ 'You, Paul, you come here quick,
by yo'self."
Paul, used to obeying, came promptly,
and was drawn close up to his mother on the
settee. snow, you Paul." continued the
tragic whisper, II wonder kin trust you
to do something for me-"
Paul, distrustful of such general demands,
kept discreetly silent
II wish you's little bigger, but de Lord
will hor you up. Paul, you listen"
A small boy could hardly listen more in
tently.
"When yo' paw comes home from de sto',
an we's all gone to bed an got 'sleep-yo'
hearin', Paul!'
"Yes'm"
"You get up stills . mouse, an you 20
git dat hoe yo' paw brought home. an dom