Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-12

over her face.
"Well, don't know as I can blame EN-
much, fer Bro Jasper is er fine lookin
purson an cert ny do know how to preach
De stirrinest sermons | ever did listen at
come from him. Dis is his las night,
too. | wonder if he'll ever come back
here any mo-; wish | knowed, Don't spec
I'll have er chance ter tell him goodbye
likes Bro Jasper, but | Sc mighty feared
faint de Lords will for me to git him.
never did see er man what | liked like |
does HIM
"GGis" Tilda heaved a long sigh, and.
with the hope of forgetting the defeat of
her expectation, when she came through"
at Bro " Jasper's first meeting, she be-
gan singing the patting of her feet, clap
ping Of her hands and swaying of her
body keeping perfect time with The many
worded long-meter hymn. 1t was one of
Bro Jasper's favorltes, and, of course,
hers also. She sang it through twice
giving it It's full share of crooks and turns
and adding many moaning sigbs-origlna
variations-and had sung the first line of
the first verse with the intention of going
over it the third time, when rap sound
ed at the door which put an end to ISIS"
Tilda's melody. She drew hastily from
among the freshly laundried clothes a
stiffly starched apron and put it on, I'M
tied a red silk handkerchief from the
back Of d chair, where it was doing SER
vice as a tidy, knotted it around her
ebony throat and admitted Bro Jasper.
IVY, Bro. Jasper, thought you was at
de meetin' Fo de Lord, dis am er'
sprise.'
KNOWN as bow couldn't do no justi-
fycation to mvse'f needer de church to-
night, thought it mo- incred table IN
me ter unclaln my seat for dis time pre-
sent an while away few expir1n' mo-
ments wild YOU if Is'e in no way dis
incumbersome
After this emotionable bubble OF effnl-
gent language rendered with very lofty
mien and accompanied with much bow
ing and scraping, Bro Jasper hung his
bat on the bedpost, leaning his walking
cane against the chimney, raised up his
coat aud seated himself, and with his
feet on the manteIpiece he gazed
silently INTO the fire.
Bro Jasper | was fxin' ter cry whilse
ago.
Bout what, chile?'
Cause was scured somebody was gwin
er way thout tellin me goodbye"
Dress your sweet soul, Sis Tilda,
starter cum over here dis mornin' dat er
fac"
Wish you had, Gen I'd er put you ter
pressin'''
"Pressin'? pressin' Lord if dat's what
you want l'se bout ready and willin RI ghi
dis mint to press de BRET out ofsyou. | Sc
comm honey"
stop dat Bro Jasper, a gospel ~ all
like you orter be shame ter hlsself. YOU
knows means dem close on de char. Dat s
what Use been pressin 'kall day
You oughter know me better n dat,
Sis Tilda. | doesn't press clothes what
amt got nobody in EN-. Deed |
don't
Sis" Tilda twisted around the chair,
then became much occupied In fixing up the
fire while Bro Jasper INDUCED IN a series
Of disappointed signs.
For de- Lord sake man. what de matter
wad you? Gwine ON likes you was er Orfun
wild no 'ry tall. Wake up, man, an
git pydrnt, else I'll be gittin' kind er blush
myself"
"Ah, Sis Tilda, eff you knoweu, eff you
knoWed, only knOwed.
Tell me Cen Bro Jasper. tell me. Use
always ready an willin' ter listen at de
trils aud tribulations of my friends, an
when | can courage UNI in it, | shOly
does"
well, certainly need your courage
ment des evenin'." said Bro Jasper shak-
ing his head. ''All the couragin' words
what you can GIN me-
ISIS" Titda moved her chair little
nearer Bro" Jasper and watched his
face intensely. Bro" Jasper held his hand
up to his brow, closed his eyes and seemed
lost in thought. Finally he looked into
ISIS Iilda' face, then down at her feet,
then up again, as if bent upon ''sizin' her
up with accuracy.
Sis Tilda," he began with frown,
Use right on the ragged brink ev Ell
mountain-high preserpis, an l'se no idee
what mint | might fall down der ker.
smash. Dare aint no light down dar, it s
'ternel darkness all time. | dunno what
mint Use gwine toppe over needer. Oh,
Sis Tilda, eff you jes knowed eff you
jes' knowed what awful suspension | was
In"
my marster, Bro Jasper, you's got NE
scured. Use IN 'pense now myself.
sis Tiida, went on Bro Jasper, slow
ly, Use not had no moments ov peace
sense de frs day you come ter de meetin'
Use been 'sturbed in bot mind an body,
daytime an night time, ever sense dat
day. Use all broke up. Use not myself
no mo-. Little oman, de trouble is most
y right here
BRO Jasper placed his hand over his
heart, shut his eyes right tight and SAID
nothing for minute; and isis" Tilda
growing little nervous, began biting LEI
finger nails and rocking herself very rapid
ly in a straight-back chair. Bro" Jasper
lifted his feet down from the mantle
moved up nearer to Sis Tilda, crossed
one leg, put both hands on his heart and
J sighed again