Milford chronicle., 1889-04-12
"WAITIN' FUR PAP"

I had just reached the top Of a long
straight climb on a trail leading over a spu
of the Blue ridge, and had dumped down t
get a rest before proceeding onwards, whei
the bushes on the opposite bank parted to le
the barrel Of gun protrude, and at the sam
moment a voice called out:
"Youun is a dead man If you move
handp
Some things come so suddenly that yot
have no time to get ratified looked up t,
see the face of boy behind the gun, and in
stead of being frightened was surprised
What are you pointing that gun at mt
forln I asked
''rm kivering you" he replied.
"Yes, but I don't want to be kivered
What's the fussf'
He followed the gun out of the bushes, eye
ing me like hawk, and sitting down on G
rock on the edge of the other bank, not oveI
eight feet away, he querled;
docs youun suTrenderln
81 guess do"
Then you'un keep mighty quiet till par
comes He has gone by the other trail.n
He was boy of IA, his hair down on his
shoulders, his face pinched and peaked, and
he was excited and trembling.
''Who is your papr presently asked
Lem Marvin
'And why do you stop mo In this fashionP'
'You'un's been looking to shoot pap"
"Boshl never even heard Of himl I
came up from Whittakers this morning"
"But you must be kivered."
"Whyq'
because I don't know and pap does. You
may be him, and you mayn't. Pap will tell.
If you be him pap will blow yer head ofPln
tkU,4r,. 10,
what did some one want to shoot him forG1
"Had a fursen
"About whatT'
"a mewl.n
"WhenTi
"a right smart ago. He said he'd shoot
pap, and pap wants to get the drop on him
''Well, my boy, III wait till your pap ar
rives, AID meanwhile you'd better drop the
hammer Of that shotgun. It smells to me as
II the weapon was loaded with buckshot and
buekshot amt healthy this time o year,
Won't youun pay me slickqn
mo; could have killed you long ago il I
had wanted to-"
"If you 'un tries to draw on me shall
shute" be continued.
"Thats all right. Now, then, where do
you liver
"over yere, he replied, jerking his thumb
over his shoulder
"What does your father DOR
makes some whisky, hunts a bit and
trucks leetle.n
'How many childrenr
"Five, and Pm the biggestT
'WeI, let's see how much you know. Who
is the presidentp
"I-I dun forget" he answered after a
minute.
"Who is the governor Of this staten
"Pap never dun tole me-"
"Can you readin
"Almost. kin tell circus picters.n
ibid you ever see a railroadq"
"Oncst-alnost. heard he'un tootB
Ever see a steamboat"
"Reckon not"
upp
"Do like dad"
"Come down here where can talk to
you"
"But you'un wants to funny me and get
the dropln
''Nonsensel Put away your old gun and
come down here. I'm not the man your pap
wants to send to the happy land Pm going
70 have a smoke and a talk.n
'Weun all smokes, though pap is agin it."
did you ever smoke a cigarlh
"No."
"Well, come and get one.n
"f you'un should try to draw on mern
he cautioned as he stood up and looked
around
"Come onl Therei tossing my revolver
i've feet away. Now, l can't draw on you,
you can bring your gun if you are afraid.n
Afraid Him never see the time he was
afraid" he said, as he leaned his gun against
the bank and sat down beside me When
our cigars were alight he grew more easy
and asked:
Suppose this man your pap is after gets
the drop on him frstF'
Him can't
"But why"
"'Cause pap's lightning. Nobody kin cit
the drop on him."
"Don't you know it's awful business TO
hunt a man to his death in this cool wayr,
"Hain't him hunting fur papl Won't him ]
shoot pap II he kinT' c
''You are all wrong. II a man threatens T
you the law viii take care Of hirn.n
"The law Is too fur away" i
de couldn't view the matter in any other q
Light than to "get the drop and he had a t
pretty good defense in saying that the other s
man began II. il
"f him didn't cum huntin' fur pap. pap I
wouldn't go huntin' fur him, )" he put it. n
Taking out newspaper pointed to a big b
AZ In an advertisement, and asked him
Fhat It was I
Dunno s.
THAT'S A." p
''Who says soP' v
~ do" 1
'smebbe you don't know p
"Wen, everybody elsa EayssO. Why don't I
'ou learn to readPi p
''What furfs a
$50 that you win know what's going on il
bout yod.n a
"Ihar's puthin' ever goes on. Pap says IL
sadtp' Is ali fooiln'S r.
''Do you know how big this country isF '
"Wbcppfn' big, I reokon.e n
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