Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-05-22
....HEARTSTE'S 'TONEMENT.


its gaudy frame.
Peck! peck! as of sharp bill striking
on bare boards came from the inner
room. Mr.. Beckwth looked at his wife
inQuiringly.
THE rumplus pulletw she explained,
while the buckra and the dog was
runnin down the other fowls it fly in
Pthere and squat down under the bed.
so l just shut the door and amt say
nothin'. Seemed like the Lord aimed
for we to keep it,
Her companion chuckled. There's
near bout four bushel of corn down
| ybfider in the fence corner" he said,
s,but it amt gone there itself. | took 1t
out while he was gone to the sto' for
nails. He amt goin' to miss 1t out OF
the main batch"
The rumplus pullet, released from
confinement. stepped out near its mis-
tress, pecking at the oven. against the
rim of which a few crumbs from the
last cooked bread stuck fast.
The pullet's red feathers stood up
mutinously; it was not prepossessinG
in appearance, but Heartsie took it up
and stroked it gently. ITS one of the
four that was hand raised she said.
THAT what make it come in here to
hide. That white hen what died on the
nest was its mother"
A boy of about 10 years came in with
his arms full of wood. He put his bur-
den down, then drew near one corner
of the fireplace and stood silent, look
ing into the flames.
us you hungry, bud?" asked his
grandmother. There's piece of corn
cake in the cupboard. Where's Boil
lump?
Il left him in the branch. He had
| jump a rabbit" replied the child.
THAT dog got sense pronounced Mr..
Beckwith. He know when there amt
nothin' fresh in the house. If that clock
man had knoWed he'd a carried Boil
lum off long wild the other things. You
see! If he don't fetch in rabbit to-
night he'll get one by sunup. He's suit
tingly KNOWN dog"
Humpy was asleep and Bollum, the
yellow spotted cur, dozed fitfully be-
| fore the fire that night, but the excite
ment of the afternoon had baniShed
! slumber from the eyes of Heartsie and
her spouse. They discussed and redis-
cussed every phase of the situation.
us you think to mention them things
to him, baby?" the old man asked.
Them things is rightly worth heap
more than $15."
II amt crack my teeth on him about
en-" said his wife. Il Just was all
! timersome like for fear he would go
s'archin' about and stumble on 'em. 1t
never Cured to him though to look in
! that old trunk with the cover all feared
loose and rags stickin' out. He'da'
| took 'em soon as his eyes light on EN-,
! but it wouldn't have been for no pay he
would have took. He'd "a said as we
| stealed them things and had us up be-
fore the trial jusdce-you as 'specta-
bic member in good standin' and me
what is always been held to be a right
eous livin' woman. He'd Token that
ground sure!'
II believe you" calculated 'Riah,
looking admiringly at his quicker-Wi
ted partner. Il never thought of that"
"Mr. BeckWith," said Heartsie at
length in an impressive undertone. "ps
| got Il notion that them things is a car
ryin' us to the devil. Is pOnderated on it
now long time, when you amt had no
notion was ponderatin', and accordin'
to my stakin off we won't have no let
UP this goln' down hill we're dom till
we gets rid of them things for good and
ALL Amt we work hard this year every
day the Lord send?" she went on.
Oats what we DONE" affirmed her
spouse.
We'll! Amt we try our best las
year?"
dat we did"
"And de year before that? Amt we
always been hard wOrkin', and amt
everything gone against us? The chol-
era KILN off us hogs and fowl and
t'ings and skippin' other peoples? Our
COW crackin' of her neck in the ditch
and Black Sally just naturally gittin'
poorer and more perish-away lookin'.
the more feed we give her? Till the boss
say we can't keep her no longer? Amt
all this what tellin you precisely so?"
Mr.. Beckwith nodded His pipe had
long since gone out and he did not
know 1t.
"Well! Mark my words" emphasiz-
ing them with uplifted finger, "just so
long as that candlestick and that
breastpin and that piece Of watch chain
stay there in that trunk where they Is
the old boys goin' to follow u.s."
Mr.. Beckwith groaned with excess of
interest and belief.
well! what kim we doY" he asked,
1IFIipn Saro puru