The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-04-19
y It.
THE PROBLEM THAT TIMOLEoN

Copyrighted. 1897. by Joel Chandler Harris.


one building on the place that could DO re-
garded as perfectly secure-the crib in the
fve-acre lot. This crib was built of logs
hewn square and mortlsed together at the
ends. IL had boen built to hold corn and
other grain, and logs were used instead OF
planks because the nearest sawmill was
some distance away, and the logs were
cheaper and handler. Moreover, as they
were hewn from tho hearts of the pines
they would last longer than sawn lumber.
This building was. therefore, selected as
the Black Stations stable. and It was made
ready. A trough was fitted up, and the
edges trimmed with hoop iron 60 prevent
the horse from gnawing IT to pieces. The
floor was taken away and new door
made, q thick heavy affair. To guard
against all accidents a hole which could
be opened or closed from the outside. was
cut through the logs over the trough so
that when the Black Stallion was in one
OF his tantrums he could be fed and water
ed without risk to life or limb.
When everything was ready the question
arose. how was tho horse to be removed
to his new quarters2 Mr.. Abercrombie
considered the matter an entire Afternoon
and then decided 20 postpone 1t until the
next day. He said something about 1t at
supper and this caused Mrs. Abercrombie
10 remark that she hoped he would set rid
Of such a savage creature. She SAID she
would never feel safe while the horse re-
NAMED on the place But Mr.. Abercrombie
laughed at this excess of fear, and so did
Little Crotchett, who made bold 10 say
that II his father would permit him. he
would have Timoleon put In his stable thar
very night and IT would be done so quietly
that nobody on the place would know how
or when # happened.
Mr. Abercrombie regarded his son with
tender and smiling eyes.
And what wonderful person VIII DO this
fOr hO
"A friend of NINE" said Little Crochet
seriously.
"Wen. you have so many friends that
I'll never guess the name" remarked mis-
father.
ooh. but this IS one of the most particu-
lar. partlcularest OF my friends" the lad
explained.
Il suppose you know he is getting up
great reputation among the servants" said
Mrs. Abercrombe to her husband. half In
jest and half in earnest.
Il know they are an very fond OF him.
my dear"
"Of course they are-how can they help
themselyes?' the lads mother cried. But
this IS a most particular. particularest'
reputation" She Quizzically quoted Little
Crotchett's phrase and he laughed when he
heard Il fan from her lips. 1T Is some
thing quite wonderful. Since the time that
ne issued orders for no ono to bother him
after o'clock at night, the servants say
he talks with 'ha'nts.' They say ne has
become so familiar with bosies and such
things that no can be heard talking with
them at all hours Of the night"
Your mother has been counting the
candles on you. my boy" remarked Nr.
Abercrombie jokngly.
why. father. how can you put such an
ldoa FL the childs mind?' protested Mrs.
Abercrombie.
He's only teasing. mamma" said Little
Crotchett.
"A ncard hul taking to a borie the other
night" remarked Mr.. Eudspeta. the
teacher
"Oh. 1 don't think you're a bogie." cried
Little Crochet you would have been
one. though. il you had kept me in those
awful books"
The teacher had mischievously thrown
out this mint about Aaron TO see what ef-
feet ii would have. lie was amazed at the
lads self-possession. and at the def man
ner in which he had turned the hint aside.
"Oh. have you been admitted 10 the
sanctum?" inquired the lads mother.
laughing.
Il paused at the door TO say good night
ana remained until | learned lesson 1
shall never forget" said Mr.. lIudspe,h.
"Ah. you're finding our boy out eh2''
exclaimed Mr. Abercrombie with a show
Of pride.
.He possessed already the highest cul-
ture the mind OF man is capable Of" Mr.
Uudspeth declared. His tone was SO solemn
and his manner so earnest that Little
Crotchctt blushed. He is cultured in the
humanities. That IS apart from scholar
shin" he explained, but without It all
knowledge is cold and dark and unfruit-
ful"
II know he Is very humane" suggested
Mr.. AberCrOmbie.
20. it is more than that" said Mr. Huds-
peth far more than that. All sensitive
people are tender hearted. one may read
a book and yet not catch the message 1t
conveys But this lad" lie paused and
suddenly changed the subject. lie said he
could have Timoleon carried 10 the new
stable. and you are inclined to DO doubt
full. But he can do more than that He
can have the horse removed without Bride
or halter
Then you know our boy better than we
do" Mrs. Abercrombie's tone was almost
reproachful.
Il found him out quito by accident"
replied Mr.. Hudspeth.
Little Crotchett in his quaint way called
attention to tho fact that he was blushing
again. You've made me blush twice" he
said. "and l can't stay after that"
At sign Jemimy the house girl who
was waiting on the tabie-the same Jemimy
who afterwards had daughter named
Drustlla-turned the lads chair about.
He balanced himself on his crutches. and.
without touching his feet 10 the floor,
walked across tho room to the han, and
SO up the stairway. on the landing he
paused.
Shall I have Timoleon put in the new
stable tonight2' he asked.
by all means. my boy-if you can" an
swered Mr.. AbercrombIe. II you'll sue
coed I'll give you handsome present"
Little Crotchett always paused the
stair landing TO say something. but never
nil. lafe h
er would go UP and SIT with him a few
minutes. by way of kissing him goodnight.
and later, his father would make the same
little journey for the same purpose.
on this particular night. those whom
Little CrOtchett had left at the table
manned cOnyersing longer han usual. Mr..
| Hudspeth had something more to say about
| humanity culture, and although he en-
/ ployed "the Concord dialect" as Mr. Aber-
| crombie callet it, his discourse was both in
| teresting and stimulating. In the midst
/ of ii Jemimy dropped plate and broke
| It, The crash OF the piece OF china put q
temporary end to the conversation. and the
silence that ensued had its humorous side
! Jemimy her eyes big saucers and
| white, was turned toward the door that led
10 the sitting room. The door softly open
! ed and a portly negro woman, bunch Of
! KEYS hanging at her waist came into the
I 10 \ I 81 ,a