The leader., 1898-03-30


wuZ Frank Barnes, he wuz hangin'
aroun' Priscilla's Sally right smart like
when I heerd tell about his COW an
horse an spicioned he'd do fur Cynthy.
Den dar WIZ Davy Masters"
She paused, but her smile said all the
rest. gazed at her in speeches. adj
miration; Priscilla had said she had
''sot her eye on Davy," and 1T seemed
that she was not far wrong.
Through the kitchen window floated
Priscilla's voice:
when de heart is sad. it's JOY to know
Dere's a better world den dis world below"
l smiled involuntarily and Modesto
listened with pensive air. Evidently
she had no qualms of conscience.
''Do you mean," / said, that you ac-
tually decided a long time ahead whom
you wanted your girls to marry?"
"Yes'm, an it's de right thing ter do.
Miss Mary, fur der amt no mistakes
made den"
In some mysterious way she had
caught the spirit of the old French
regime and was in thorough sympathy
with the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
PTiscilla's tones rang out with in
creased earnestness:
Dough the sinners thrive in dis world Of
sin,
Saint Peter amt gwine fur to let 'em In
well, but it's one thing to pick out
man," I observed, obviously, ''and
quite another to have him do what you
want him to do"
"Lor', Missy" replied Modesto, II
warn't born yistiday, an after | makes
up my mind about him, ! axes him roun'
Sunday nights, an | reckon you amt
forgot how ! kin cook ?"
81 certainly haven't" answered, re-
calling childish trips to her cabin and
the coffee and biscuits that gladdened
my youthful appetite.
"Well, ! members all I ulster know,
an sparcribs and chine an pigs feet
amt gwine a Begin after l gifts
through cookin' EN-"
Modesto" | said, in low, awestruck
tones, "is that what you do with your
pigs?"
"Yes'm, an some folks say it's n nor
f,l waste, but somehow, dunno"
"An excellent investment rather"
said. warmly, and my mind went back
involuntarily to the chatting dish par
ties and 'petits soupers" and coy din
ners that some of my friends INDUCED
in. Their methods, | could not but
admit, were strikingly similar.
"Do you invite any girls?" de-
manded.
Modesto looked at me eproachfully.
what ! gwine axe emmy gals fur, Miss
Mary? Nom. | suttenly never killed
my pigs fur dem no count niger gals.
Women is curious things, ennyhow!
Dey's ongrateful all through. You duz
fur man an you knows whar you is;
but you duz fur a woman. an whar Is
vou?"
| nodded approximately; Modcste's
analysis, though crude, was effective;
had not lived all my life amidst the
wilds of the country and had had ex-
periences of my own.
Chine and pigs feet and spareribs,"
| repeated, thoughtfully, for wished to
retail the menu to Fred later; was that
all, Modeste?"
"Yes'm, 'ceptin' todes the las, jest
about de time things wuz settlin' up,
den Tom fetched out his whisky"
| looked at Modesto, black and
gaunt and awkward, and did mental
homage to her talents. How could
Priscilla and Dicey Jones expect to cope
with such an intellect? / had it in my
heart to feel sorry for them; the con-
test was such an unequal one.
well, Miss Mary" said Modesto, get
ting to her feet, Use 'bleeged to be
gwine; | jest dropped in ter say how
dy.'"
Modesto" said I, longing in my
humble way to show my recognition of
her successful campaign, tell jimmy
she can have my old white silk for her
wedding dress if she will come up and
get it,"
Thank you, Miss Mary, tole Jimmy
as how you wouldn't forgit her"
"By the way" said |, don't neglect
to stop at the kitchen for your bucket"
A few minutes later | saw her NOV
ing slowly down the big road in the di-
rection of the quarters"
Priscilla's song had ceased; evident
ly the thought of joys III another world
did not wholly compensate her for the
vexations and disappointments of this
one. Her youngest son, benjamin of
four, having come within injudicious
range of her wrath, was requested to
quit the kitchen at once unless he want
ed her to brain him with COAL" and
the pans and pots flew about in a way
that was anything but orthodox.
Fred, coming whistling up the steps,
called out to me to know what had
ruflied the serene spirit of our hand
maid.
Modesto has been here" / said
"Jinny is going to be married to Davy
Masters, and Priscilla feels it keenly."
"Davy going to be married ?" repeated
my brother, wonderingly; ''hurrah for
little jimmy"
jimmy" said !, witheringly, "much
she had to do with ii"
whats the matter with you, any,
how?" cried Fred; you look pensive."
~ am mentally PROSTATE" replied.
Before whom?"
Modesto Fowler
Modesto! do you think she had any
thing to do with that match? You
Fever were more mistaken. Why, she's
as dull as ditch water"
l did not dispute the question. Men
never understand about such things
BESIDES | could afford TO he mapnani-
nous. for l knew was right.-Detroit