Sharp County record., 1896-09-18

LHId61N w VI
Uncle Bob, a famous hoatman. with
Luke, in another, started from the land
ing. As they rounded the pointncar the
scene OF the recent fatality, the first
object that met their gaze was the old
bateau, splintered and bottom up, drift
ing Slow ly down the stream, and the
next object was that identical alligator
lying in exactly the same place on the
bank.
Clarence raised his rifle, threw its
muzzle within ten feet Of the gators
head and fired. The bullet passed
through the saurian's eye and entered
his brain. He gave spasmodic strug-
gle, his tail swept half a circle and he
was dead.
They hastily scrambled ashore, and
Bob and Moses turned him over, and
Strengthened him out; he was nearly
u feet long.
"For' Cod" said Moses, suddenly;
"dar Brer' Jobe now"
"Where! Where!" said Clarence.
"Why, dar, master. dar-see how him
lie! JUS like a man." and Moses pointed
to ridge that seemed to extend down
the gators stomach.
"Yes, dar Brer' Jobe, suah nuff, said
Bob, pore Brer' Jobe."
Solomon and Luke with knife and AK
cut into that caFacious NAV to m-
tomb him; presently something black
and woolly protruded-
"Dar him." said Moses, pore Brer'
Jobe."
"Da's facl," said Bob, "dar's his
hair"
They cut wider and pulled, and
pulled again, and finally from out that
gloomy sepulchre appeared the re-
mains Of big black SOW.
Fore de Lord" exclaimed Fob, "it
dat amt Sis Dinah's sow-dat gator
gwine fer de whole famibly suah nuff.'
"He is dat" said Solomon, "Brer'
Jobe want nuff fer he"
just then a voice was heard from the
other side of the creek:
Say, is you got dat gator fer suah?'
AllglaRced across the creek and there,
sticking from behind a cyprus, was the
white and wooHy head of Uncle Jobe.
Clarence fired off both barrels of his
shotgun in rejoicing, and sent boat
across for him.
He said, and he always stuck to it,
that when the boat capsized he struck
on the gators back, and from there
scrambled ashore.
"But didn't you hear me call, Uncle
Jobe?" said Clarence.
"Yes,chile, hear you, but sleared 70
speak, fear dat gator get me, so I JUS
crawled off and laid down, and, bress
de Lord, you gun woke me, an you got
dat gator"
"De gators all right, Brer' Jobc,"
said Moses, "but whar Sis Dinah's
Sukey, what she gwine do now?"
"She glib me de dibble, I s'peck," said
lobe.
The boats returned, the negroes sing
ing their plantation melodies as they
glided down the stream, and Uncle
Jobe joining in the chorus like any
thing but dead darlly.
Arrived at the landing, with Clarence
in the lead, they marched up the lane,
ror halted till they reached the cabin
OF Dinah; she was ut the Manor house,
washing
AS they rounded the corner of the
house, there she stood on the back
piazza, half bent over wash tub, her
red bandana tied around her head, her
sleeves we'll above the elbows, scrub
.bing away on the washboard, and big
tears chasing each other down her
black face.
Mrs. Hin stepped out on the piazza,
and said; "Dinah, | told you you need
not work to-day, poor soul; am sorry
for YOU"
81 know You is, mistis; know you is,
but blecgcd TO work-it help me for
git bout Irer' ]obc, can't stay home,
md he Oin't dNr,"
"No, but here he! honey, here he!"
"Jobc! Brer' JobcW
1t was a frantic cry; her sudden leap
overturned the wash tub; three steps
ut u time she few down the piazza, and
her bare bhcli arms were around the
neck Of her elder brother.
Honey, d0 amt cotch you, tank God,
de gators amt cotch you, is do?"
"No, Sis Dmah, not Hockly, but da
cotch you Sukcy,"
"Pick out the finest pig ON Orton,
Dinoh, in place Of Sukcy, whenever
you're ready"
Tears had gathered in the eyes of
10th Mrs. Hill and Clara, while Dinah
was welcoming back the brother who,
though lost, had been found,
"Mstls," said Din0h, 81 ,us rinse desc
rloes out, and clean up dis ycrc piazza,
an If you please, mOrm, | won't work
no more to-dNy-1 jus is ooer Joyous,
sidcs Use weak as II calf"
That's right DlnOh, have day OF
rejoicing"
"Cnce Johc," said Clara, 81 am very
glad the olligOtors didn't get YOU.
feared had lost my fishing compan-
ion"
Dress You soul, honey rnc' Jobc
Yerc Nrli hnL [ nnM'I lnn how lnnn