Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-05-25


as to avoid further ill-treatment way
all country dogs have. The youngest
and boldest child mot US at the door,
the father stopped and gathered it in
his enormous arms and remarked;
"John Sam, you toad"
No one was in the front room, all Of
Its occupants having scampered pell-
NELL into the back room. The ceiling
was very low; one could scarcely stand
erect 1t was upholstered and the
broad boards were smoked to dark
brown color. The floor was OF newed
oak planks. On the south side Of the
room was broad fireplace. with a
chimney made Of sticks and clay. The
hearth was OF broad. nat stones. There
were two old-fashionod high bedsteads
in the room with just enough space be-
tween them and the ceiling for one to
crawl under and sleep. The chairs we're
all split-bottoms. but OF different sizes
each chair looked like the last re-
mains OF a former set. The bureau had
enough timber in it to make a hall
dozen modern bureaus. The looking
glass was ornamented with a trans
verse crack which distorted ones i'm
age into harmony with the surrounding
circumstances. A new-made maui was
on the hearth seasoning; several pieces
OF axe-handle timber were in the cor
ner OF the room; the gun was over the
door; a bunch Of long. snoOt-like ears
OF corn were hanging from the ceiling
on one side, while on the opposite side
were caught and suspended various
strings OF dried apples. This is what ]
saw at my first glance. Another glance
at the beds and saw, almost con-
cealed, the short, stubby legs OF two
trundle-beds, which looked odd, as the
coverings Of the upper bed came just
low enough to remind one OF short
skirts. An old straw hat, with numer-
Gus sweat marks on its calico lining,
was lying in the center OF the floor; a
kick from the farmer made it disappear
as If by magic.
Take that ar place"
He pointed and l sat down. The
kitchen was very long and looked as
though it was made up OF segments "a
new addition at the birth OF each
child.
"Dye We belong tur meetin'P'
mo, sir" replied; then l quickly
remarked, however, Il have been raised
Methodist" l did not know but what
"belongin' tur meetin' " was one Of the
qualifications Of a school teacher. The
farmer bowed his head and said grace
so low, that, as had closed my eyes,
they were all eating before l knew it.
This was a bit of accidental hypocrisy,
for they thought / was praying.
"Now, help yerselt to what We see.
We live tur home hur."
The farmer, his wife, his youngest
child and two eldest daughters were at
tho table; where the other children
were / could not guess. Presently
heard them in the front room. They
must have gained an entrance by a
flank movement around the house. The
meal passed in almost complete silence.
The shyness OF the two girls made me
bashful, but at last ventured to look
at them. One of them arose and went
into the front room; the other said;
Pap, don't you want fresh goord oil
water?" and left the room. They were
both strong, healthy, country girls.
They were so devoid OF taste that not a
single device of civilization could en-.
nance their beauty.
After supper was over we returned
to the front room, the rest of the family
having evacuated this portion OF the
house, had reiterated to the rear.
Chairs were brought in, and felt the
delightful and vivifying sensations
which are the results OF a frugal mea
to a healthy stomach. The kitchen
door opened but once-to admit the
mother saw the family arranged
around the table, standing like emf
grants around luuch-counter.
ben West yit?" asked Mr.. Wilkin
Eyes, sir. l have Travelled some over
the West"
''How do We like Kansas"
'The finest country for poor man.
"What kind o. settlers tharP'
"Well, it is made up of al classes
All churches have a representation
There is a large foreign element, bu
this is to be lamented as many Of then
arc Of a rowing disposition.
Single, | s'poseP'
Eyes, there are too many ranches il
the West, and not enough houses. 1
takes homes to develop country"
''Now you've sed it.
''This, however, is disadvantage al
new countries have to labor against
You can't have homes If you have NJ
women"
mo women in the West, eh?'
mot near so many as in the East"
''Wal, / thin I IL go West"
This seemed to be the conclusion o
his line OF thought, for we sat in silenc
tho most of the evening. 1t was abou
eight o clock when Mr.. WiIkin aros
and said: '1ts bout bed time. so Of y
have no objections, we'll first step on
doors moment" He stepped out tn
front door aud l followed him. / di
not know the purpose OF his action
We stood outside for perhaps five min
utcs. then walked back into the house
The trundle-beds were out in the mid
die of the floor and we're full OF chill
dren, the mother had retired.
you'll sleep with Bill, thar"
Bill was the eldest son. The old ma
began removing his boots l followe
him.