The Negro world., 1900-06-09
TOM HUNT
by David II. ralmadge
tUNvso~oXeTseUexeHNVS,

THE weather smiled cordially upon
the Big Woods district. of which
Iawtonyille was the center until the
first of February; then it frowned
and snapped.
Tom Hunt. who was of some tlihtinc.
tion In the village as It's only chronic
invalid, aud affected In some degree
by insomnia, reported thnt the wind
Hoped from the south to the north.
west shortly after midnight, aud that
less than two hours later he heard
distinctly the chug of the mercury AZ
n struck bottom. Which. there being
no conflicting testimony. must be ac-
cepted as statement of fact.
II Is known positively by the com.
munity In general. 10y which Is meant
everyone but Peter Cuppley, who has
become imperyious to atmospheric in.
huences through the patient applica
tiOn of alcoholic waters To his inside.
that ut daylight the wind was calling
bitterly and the air was full of dust.
colored particles that stuug Hike min.
iatnrc whips, Furthermore, the town
pump WIZ lNuNtlt uHA laNFt Mtlt
icicles upon the beard of Benjamin
Rood, the village patriarch. when he
arose from his bed. His daughter so
informed u neighbor when they were
walking home from the funeral that
morning.
All. II was cutting. biting coldl
Tom Hunt, who, despite his respon-
slbilities as "a chronic invalid. also as
sumcd the Office OF the town wit. aud
therein preached daily sermon upon
the saving grace of SENSE Of hnmor.
said Ii was the coidest weather since
80. when as a hoy he had wunderingly
witnessed his good father milk the
family cow without pail. There was
really no occasion To use pail. he
said. for the streams of milk con
gealed instantly. aud II was only nee.
essary, when the animals dairy had
been emptied, Ga gather up the long,
slender mllk.needles into his arms and
carry them into the house.
A very pleasant liar WIS Tom Hunt.
and much was he loved by the towns
people, for he was an untailing source
of comfort In times OF trouble and
illness. No disease was there Ia the
catalogue of human ailments from
which he had not at some time suf
tered, no misfortune In all the long
list OF such things with which he had
not had his tusslc aud issued forth
triumphant. Aud II rebounds to the
everlasting credit of Lawtonville peo-
pie that they overlooked, as a rule,
the Inconsistencies of his statements
and accepted him as the blessing he
wished 60 be. II was his way, that
was all. There are too few-~far too
few~-such liars as Tom Hunt in the
world.
On the LIST OF February he arose
from his couch and klndled the fires.
The house was warm before his moth.
er--many years a widow appeared
Go prepare the morning meal Tom
was sitting by the window reading a
letter. lie put the letter into his
pocket when the old lady entered the
room aud greeted her In his Gus.
tomary good-natured way.
"Mornin'. mother. Sleep goode"
Pretty good. Thomas. thank you.
Colder. ain't its"
~ little." replied Tom. with a sig.
nifleant look at the frost.eaated win
dow. II reckon 10 twas much colder
every thermometer In town'd be
bursted. II stand near 10 90 below
zero. and there's right smart wind
blowin'"
''flr.r-r-rls shivrred the old lady.
wrapping shawl about her shout.
ders, 'raint very good day for
the funeral. is i,s
Toms face. which had been beam.
ing with smiles. sobered instantly.
and his hand Ierked lnvoluniarily 60.
ward the pocket where the letter was
sNo. IL aint. and that's the truth. I"
he said, seriously snut then, YOU
know" he added. Frightening. pco.
pie don't expect no great pleasure
from fnntrals anyhow
Mrs. IihRt sighed,
After time. WHEN the coffee Vas
ready aud she and Tom Ncre facing
each other across the Sniall table. she
iaiereepsed hls hand as ~ was reach.
ing for the sugar and held 4 for u
moment lovingly.
.Yoa're a good boy. fleomss" she
said.
''I'm glad yoa think - mother.
a'i,oSc / might be worse