Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-11-24
WILDCAT HOLLOW

KNOW. ne Is QOlIeTluB IOE the uOSlLcIs
and that's Bill. but Bills on some
where with the loafers, and I'll have
to tend to the boss or Bill will lose his
job.
Bill and l win need every penny
that we can both of us earn from now
till then-there. now. what makes me
blush SO? There amt living soul
that knows anything about it.
We'll, it's done, and these billed vic
tuals are fit for the king himself, or
Colonel Byxbe-or even Bill. But
there go ag'in.
Somebody will find out for sure If
I don't shet up. Land sakes! I'd
ruther lose a weeks wages. Well,
Mr.. Barber runs this tavern, an pears
to know his business. but / will say he
is just like most other men; he don't
'preciate good cook till he loses her.
Now there's Bill, he is the only
man in the settlement that 'preciates
good qualities.
Law, me! that boss looks like he'd
been swimmin' in mud Almost. It's
plain he amt been travelin' no cordu-
roy road.
well, I'll jst lead i'm to the stable
and feed i'm, and leave i'm for Bill to
clean up.
Il must hurry for the stranger'll
smell the victuals and be in a fret for
his supper Don't know which he'll
want first, that or somethin' to drink.
I'm glad there's plenty of hay in the
manger. for of all things do hate to
climb up and throw down hay from
the NOW. Well, there, l guess eight
ears of corn will be about right for
a boss of that size. My, it's gettin'
late, l must step lively.
I'll list slip down to the spring and
get pail of water. 1t amt dark, but
it's hard to tell whether it's daylight
or moonlight. The moon is just risin'
and what a jolly round face he has.
Some way it makes me think of Bill.
Il like jolly, red, round face.
Maybe Bill amt so thorough-goin'
as some, but he's a comfortable man
to have around, for he never worries
nor bothers himself. He's a real
obligin man to do fur, too and he pre-
ciates. Some way feel as happy to-
night as duck in the rain.
my! l was just goin' to start to
singin' then. I'm glad l didn't, for
that's a deer there drinking at the
saltlick, sure as live. Who'd
thought it, and right here in the settle
ment, too? Yes, and she's got fawn
by her side. Ill slip back and get
my rifle. Yes, they are there yet.
Well, I'll shoot the fawn first, and II
l hit it the doe won't leave it, so I'll
get them both.
There, I'm just right. I've got
them towards the moon and l can see
them plain. Now I'll try the fawn.
Aim at the head, SO; then bring 1t
L l. a. 81. AkAra
back little and-fire. There, / knew
again quick.
Just as thought, the doe stands
over the fawn and shifts, and stamps
first one foot and tnen the other. Now
she raises her head high and looks
straight at me. This is a good chance.
Now, If this gun don't miss fire I'm
sure of her. A leetle higher up and
pull-so.
There, no man in the settlement
could do better and not many of them
could do as well. Cruel too, it seems,
someway! Well, I'll just slip back
and put up the gun and get Bill to
help carry up the venison. Oh, We
needn't be so skeered of Injuns. That
was me shot. What did shoot? Oh,
We can jest come and see. It was
something worth shootin'. What a
fuss you all make over it! It's queer
they come, and that's all there is to
it. Oh, bother your barney! Call
me Captain Sally, indeed! Well, my
housell be my fort, and / can defend
it, il l amt the head of company.
My house-head of company-what
are you laughing at? The tavern is
my house now, amt it!
well, of all the yelling and antics!
One would think you had all gone
plumb crazy. Captain Sally, Captain
Sally-well can stop my ears, that's
one comfort.
well, I'm a havin' a run of luck.
Last night the deer come right to me
to be shot, and today l got letter.
It's the first one I've ever got since /
come West. That quarter dollar got
for the deer just paid for the letter,
an l didn't have to break in on my
wages. That's lucky, too. Seems like
the deer jest came purpose to pay
for my letter. It amt every one that's
SO lucky. There's four letters been
waitin' pretty nigh a month in the
postofice for the folks to get money
enough to take 'em out.
Let me see, Bill promised to go
hickory-nutting this AFTERNOON. Well,
l guess I'll jest run in an do my hair
a bit afore he comes, then bring my
gun long out. l might get chance
shot at somethin' or mother.
well, here ! be. What a beautiful
little lookin' glass IL is, too, as I've
said hundred times. Yes, and the
other two are jest as nice to look in
as this one. I've always been thank
full that when we divided let 'em take
all the rest, and jSst took these three
lookin' glasses. What helpful thing
they be, and then if / should break
one, why I've got two more left.
That's jest what thought when took
'em. Course the folks made all man
carry 'em a thousand miles into the
wilderness, and IL | would use 'em for
plates and all that. But what did /
care? l knew IL I didn't take 'em
wouldn't have any.
We'll, there, I'll leave it so. I look
pretty well think. Yes, and after /
took the lookin' glass they said l was
vain, so they made me out as homely
as they could. They forgot that my
lookin' glasses would every one of 'em
and all deny it. Tow-headed indeed!
My hair is just rich cream. or straw,
or flaxen color. They said that my
eyes were a dull leaden hue. and my
cheek bones enormous; that my nose
was hopelessly sway-backed and my
mouth an extensive affair I learned