Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-02-25
THE CRACKER" GIRL.
A Story OF the Alligator Coun.
try.


then hoped forward to examine a
bunch of tussocls grass. Then grass
hopper attracted his attention. And
all the time he was getting farther
away from home. At last he paused
on the bank OF dark creek and looked
about curiously. 1t was a new world
to him. Near by long black object
lay half imbedded in the sand After
watching II few moments he hoped
nearer. Then came quick flash and
swapping of teeth; the chickens short
drama was over. And the alligator's
tail slid back into the sand, and his
half-closed eyes resumed their air of
sleepy Inconsistencies.
Overhead magnolias and live oaks
mingled their branches, while here and
there rose the stately trunks of royal
palms. Great masses of azalea, agave
and sensitive plants crept up from the
waters edge and spread out over the
banks. And everywhere clambered
the fox grape and bignonia and wood
bine
Beyond the creek and stretching
away for hundred miles to the south
and west were the everglades. In the
distance CLEANED the blue waters OF
Lake Okeechobee. To the east was a
wilderness, 10 the north twenty miles
of almost impenetrable jungle. And
in the midst the little clearing, lonely
and wild and ugly. For, except where
the log cabin stood, near the center, the
trees had been merely girdled and now
rose white and ghostly, their gray,
skeleton arms creaking and grooming
with every passing breeze. Among
them were long ridges of sweet-potato
vines and nearer the cabin few
clumps of gumbo and banana stalks
A tall, solitary olcander in full bloom
stood near the water barrel, its frag
rant branches nearly hiding one end OF
the cabin. A little to one side were
several neglected orange trees.
The cabin had but two windows
small openings which were closed with
boards when it rained. Near one o.
these a young girl was preparing
compile" On the stove behind hel
was the inevitable kettle of hominy
AS she worked she occasionally brok,
into snatches of negro melody, hel
fresh young voice floating out into
the forest and bringing quick responses
from hooking birds and warblers.
Two men were working their way
through the thick masses of palmetto
Suddenly they paused to listen.
What a voicep' one of them ex
claimed. "A backwoods nightingale.
'It must be old Dobesson's daugh
ter" said the other. 81 was here fiv,
years ago, and she was then the wild
est and happiest little thing l eve
saw-all the time in the woods, chasing
squirrels and initiating the mockinl
birds"
Again the voice floated to them. A
it died away the first speaker drew
long breath.
''What an acquisition she would b
to my rustic chorus" he said
His companion laughed.
There you go again! Never fin
voice but you must be covetous. TIL
penalty of being theater manager,
suppose. But really, Danielson, yo
must not wake the ambition of thi
child of nature. She is like the birds
and New York would stifle her."
A few moments later they emerge
from the palmetto. AS they crosse
|>the clearing the young girl left tn
window and appeared in the doorway
For moment she merely looked CT
rious then glow of recognition crer
into her face. Before they had time t
ssr, lax she sprang down the steps wit
outstretched hands.
"Mr. Lowery, fer all Their worPl' sh
cried, her eyes sparkling with pleasure
Hits mighty pleasant ter see We
roun' agin. Paw'll suttingly be gla
ter see yeh."
"And ! shall be glad to see hin
Liza" said Mr. Lowery, heartily
We've had some rare hunts together
But how you have grown. You wer
only little girl when l left"
"An' like fer somebody ter make be
bows an arrers an 60 hunt''
'cooters. ,"
Mr.. Lowery smiled.
1--WE did have some fine 'coote
hunts" he said; then, nodding towar
his companion, added: I've brougl
my friend, Mr.. Danielson, down to II
alligator hunting. | tell him yol
father is probably the best gator guit
in south Florida"
The girls face clouded.
Paws in right pore shape, she sal
slowly. "He war los in the evglad,
an got the shakes pow'ful bad. 10
he cay'nt do no mo- guidin' fer err lor
time"
The two men looked at each other
perplexity. SSeeing this, the girl has
ened to add:
"Cleb kin guide you uns better
anybody 'cept paw. He amt but twel'
years OF, but paw says what ne dor
know bout gators amt with TAXI
lessons on"
But MIR. Lowery looked doubtful.
al remember Cleb," he said, but
strikes me that he would be rath
small chap in case of an emergency.
twelve-footer would be apt to take a
vantage of him"
Paw says Cleb kin git away wi
mos anythin' He lows he ar quick
nor lightnin'."
Every we'll, well try him, OF cours
1t is thirty miles to the nearest settl
ment where guide could be foun
Now. suppose we go in and have ia
with your father"
An hour later Cleb came in, sma
freclxled-faced boy with quick, sha
ewes. which seemed to take in ever
thing. Soon after appeared Mr.. Lo
ery's man with the camp equipage.
81 suppose we can have the old can
site by the creek?" Mr.. Lowery
quired. :,
''suttinly, suttinlyl" responded N
Dobesson, heartily. "You uns act J
like yeh war't home an hep 20 sci
caec an mi