The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-24

to smell sulphur and looked in every
direction for bis satanic majesty 70
appear upon the scene-horns, tail
pitchfork and all Seeing no one he
ventured TO ask;
s.What de matter. nigRer2 What's
rot yerP I don't see nuHanf''
ssDat's hiti'' yelled the miserable
gambo. "'Cose you don't see muffin,
cose hits de debble. an he's got me
by the toe. Don't you see me Q
sinking Lim'me lOosei Linn me
looser'
Dick would have taken to his heels
1t once. leaving poor Sambo 20 his
fate. had not an idea suddenly oo-
..Gollyi Niger, de debble don't
lib in water, ksss IL would put his
fire all out Pull out by dat snplin'
5ar. I'll bet my ole hat you'ao cotch
sr whalin big eooter."
Acting upon this suggestion. samhQ
pulled out, continuing TO yell;
| - 'Lemme loosei
Feeling himself fairly caught by the
king of the lower world, Sambo was
not little surprised to land, an piols
had predicted, a large Rocky creek
cooter. Dick was delighted.
what did tole you, niggorP
Whoopl He's er whalei You done
cotch de finest eooter in dis crialr,
Sambo."
But Sambo refused to be comfor6ad.
He could not see it in that light
4 amt kotch him-he koteh me.
o Lordyt'
Dick suddenly grew serious
dat am N fac, 5ambo; he Is kotoh
you, and he won't turn you 60 till HE
thundres, nuther."
Visions Of dragging the cooteF
home and OF Aunt Dinah'a riRhteoua
Indignation arose before the unhappy
victim, and he walled louder thar
ever.
He rolled his eyes sltyward fn the
vain hope Of finding a single cloud
but nothing but q clear expanse OF
blue greeted his gaze. No prospect
Of thunder. and the cooter ciinginE
with a death grip to his great toe.
Dick experienced a sudden inspiration
''Sambo, Is gwine fool dat eooteE.
rs gwine roll dis little rock down
Ober dat big one. and cose he vwina
think hit thunder, and let you Eo-
seeq"
Dick rolled and re-rolled the rock,
but the cooter had more intelligence
than they credited him with, and re-
| fused to be deceived.
"Sambo," said Dick. with an air OF
depression. IVY can't We done cut
dat cooter's head Off"
Sambo was willing.
Anything to feel the sweets Of lib
erty once more.
With trembling hands and dull
Barlow knife, Dick began the decapi-
tation.
Sambo's kicks and his own fears
lest the cooter transfer its clutch 60
!. one of his fingers. made IL a slow and
dangerous operation, aud had tho
knife been sharp Sam bo's leg would
I have in all probability .1et CO. in-
stead OF the cooter.
When the body at last tumbled
back into the creek Dick gave a shout
Of triumph. But in this case, as fra
all others, the way Of the transgrea-
The CHASTITY head still beld ito
clutch upon sambo's toe as If IL was
the one offending member.
The boys were thoroughly convinced
that nothing short of a thunder storm,
perhaps cyclone, could persuade 80
to let GO
sambo resumed his cries and once
more vowed never to go fishing On
Sunday.
Dick thought he saw way out az
the difficulty at last
s'Sambo, know dat toe is got 20 go.
Hits de only way. Jes say de word.
an III whaclT her off same as done
dat cooter. Hit won't hurt no more u
20 mammy's beatin' when she see dat
head hangin' on dar, an you'll still
hab 'nuR toes lef fur to wear 20
shoes on Sunday"
Sambo would have consented 60 sac
rifice his toe as means of escape had
not the head at this moment turned
loose Of its own accord without GA
instant's delay both boys fed from
the scene of adventure.
Sambo gave his mother a full lf
imaginary account Of the big meet
ing. and when he exclaimed ia his
sleep. "Lemme loose, Mr.. Dobblefn
she was thoroughly convinced Of hic
call TO the ministry.
The Eord Haps
A. i