The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-03


and that pestiferous Elder were by far the
shrewdest in this community. Now, / am
convinced of it, by your care in casting an an-
Choir to windward.
"Kunnel Rhea,'' said Miriam, eff on
derstand yo' rightly, for man of your pre-
tended sense yo' air the biggest fool that ever
lived. Yo' amt able t sense things around
yo' which air as plain as daylight. How'd
yO' ever git the idee that anybody around
here was afeared O. yo' OF your crowd :?
| They're only afeared o. yo' as they're some
| times afeared o. a rattlesnake, which may
strike them onawares., Weuus all hate yo'
worse than airy RATHER that ever lived.
Weuns shall hate yO' as long as we'uns live
an yO live. Thars nothin' that our men-
folks want so much as t kill yo' when hit
kin be done in fair, open fout. We'uns air
only nussn' yo' bekase Elder Stornmont laid
his strong commands on us as our Christian
duty to our most hateful inemy For my
own part, Pve done hit with Il very bad
grace, an the only consolation have is the
hopes that You soon be well an strong
enough for Clay Pollock t kill YOU
81 understand your feelings, you spitfire, :"
said the Colonel You have lover in the
Lincoln army. He's cleared out of the coun-
try. and will stay out But your father and
mother think differently. They've got to
stay here" r
"Kunnel Rhea, yo' air too big a fool for
me to waste time on; l kin be better en-
ployed bilin' soap" answered Miriam. leav-
ing the room.
few days after it was Sally Hoskins's
turn.
Mrs. Hoskins, " said the Colonel, your
husband is soldier in my regiment, and this
gives me a right to look after his affairs. He
tells me that you have left him and made
your home with this Lincolnite family"
He's done tole yo' mo- truth than he's in
the habit O dOin'." Sally answered.
Don't be pert, madam. Ell not stand it,"
said the Colonel. 'You've done very
wrong to leave a man who is fighting the
battles of his country, and take up with our
enemies
''Kunnel Rhea, !" said Sally very tartly, will
yo' please mind your own business an leave
other peoples alone? Me an Bill Hoskins We
played quits. Every day done lived with
that hulkin' loafer wuz a day too long I've
got good home here, an I'm a-gwine t stay
here. Bill HOskins kin go whar he's mind
t, but hit III never be whar am. :"
Hush woman. Don't talk that way. It's
your duty to live with your husband and be
a faithful, obedient WIFE, I'll make it my
business to see that you do"
''Yo' will, will you?" famed out Sally.
''Who air yo,'t talk that-a-way? Air yo' Gov
e'nor o. Tennessee, or the Lord Almighty?
Do yo' think Pm niger wench on yo'
plantation that yO' kin make do rs yo' please
I'll let yo know I'm Il free woman an not
beholden t. yo' or Bill Hoskins for so much as
the wrappin's on my finger I'll just die,
an kill my baby, too, atore I'll live another
hour with Bill Hoskins. An don't want no
more O your slack bout hit neither. Hits
none o. your blamed biziness"
''As | said Def re, y replied the Colonel,
"Ill make it my business. ! have a way Of
dealing with people that won't do right that's
pretty effective. You can make up your mind
that you are to go back to your husband and
stay with him"
AM y0' kin make up your mind that if
yo stick your nose into other peoples bizniss
yo1l git hit smashed" retorted Sally, leaving
the room in a rage.
9 If none O. these others IL put him ont o
the way I'll do hit myself" she muttered to
herself Hit III be Gods blessin' when
he's under ground"
A day or two later the Colonel was taken
with sudden relapse.
= l can't understand it." said the doctor,
with a puzzled look IS He's been going
along all right, and there's nothing to account
for this sudden change Whatv you been
giving him."
''Ncthin but that tea O wild cherry an
dogwood banks that yo' ordered, >; answered
Mrs. Inrule.
Ibid you make it YOURSELF" asked the
doctor.
g. No I'm not able Z git around much,
myself. Sally iioskins tended { hit mostly"
That's all right" said the doctor cheer
fully. She's very good nurse. under your
directions, Mrs. Inrule. And you are the
best one know
But the doctor took an opportunity, when
he could do 50 without attracting attention.
TO stroll casually about the grounds lie
came to a spot where the herbs, after being
boiled into a tea" were thrown out.
He stirred the mass over with his cane, and
a look Of intelligence came into his eyes. He
walked into the kitchen, where he CHANGED TO
find Sally Hoskins alone
Sally" said he, with the familiarity of
an old physician your little secret is safe
with me. and ! can't say that ! blame you
much. But don't put any more leatherwood
berries into the Kunnel's teas 'Taint quite
fair to Clay Pollock or me. If | don't man
age to kill him off we'll leave the Job to
Clay Pollock.
10 be CONTINUED