The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-06-09
I'm THE CORONER FROM melton VILE

bered she had drank some cider once in
Boston and thought it wishy- washy stuff.
But she did not appreciate the difference
between the mild decoction and the un-
alleged "cussedness" that lurked in the
iron-hooped casks in Obadiah's cellar.
WELL de stuff is cold, reflected Mrs.
| Gimley; may be it stop the dryness if
l drink enough" And so the uususpecting
innocent iured herself on and descended
to the cellar. She drew a pitcher full and
took a goodly draft. How nice and cool
1t was and sour just to her taste; so diff
ferent from the Boston stuff. She took
another drink filled the pitcher again to
provide against future thirst, and ascend
ed to the kitchen. where she found bare
footed Jim Colcord suspiciously near the
molasses pitcher on the table. He asked
If Obadiah were home and was told he
was up the road making a fence, upon
which the boy threw a corncob at the
cat and departed. Mrs. Gimley sat down
by the table feeling unusually strong and
comfortable. She thought country life
must be agreeing with her. She sank
German song with a rollicking chorus
drumming a loud accompaniment on the
table with her plump hands and taking
sip from the pitcher between every
verse. Then she laughed loud and cheer
lily.
exclaimed, pounding her knees in a parox-
ysm of merriment. Then she became grave
and thoughtful, trying to remember what
it was that was so funny. She began TO
feel airy and expansive as If she needed
more room. A yearning for sprightly con-.
versation asserted itself She took the
dinner horn to summon Obadiah from the
fields but instead of an echoing blast,
only wavery splutter resulted from her
efforts
''Whazzer USE" she murmured, din
ner amt ready, anyhow"
The climbing honeysuckle vines that
decorated the kitchen porch next received
her attention, and after considera BILE IN
steady effort she decked her ample form
in more or less graceful restoons with
double circle around her head. She re-
entered the house imagining herself a
fairy queen, and tried fairy dance which
shook the building The cat eyed her
doubtfully for a while and left the prem
ises. Her efforts made her thirsty again.
She watched the cider pitcher as it moved
slowly around the room and when II came
near enough she made a grab for it. but
only succeeded in knocking it on the floor
That being gone the molasses pitcher at
tracted her notice. Slowly and with great
deliberation she would dip her fingers into
il and then endeavor to convey the sticky
contents to her mouth but not always
with success. Her left eye seemed to be
favorite landing spot for the dripping
finger. Sometimes her chin, cheek or fore
head would receive it, but she generally
managed TO drag across to her mouth In
a tolerably straight line. The conse-
ouence was that her face was streaked
with many fanciful, chocolate-c olored de-
signs, which. in conjunction with the
honeysuckle wreaths on her brow, made
her resemble a painted cannibal war chief
more than any other object on earth.
slower the chubby finger wandered, heav-
Ter grew the eyelids, until at last, with a
lurch like a disabled ship at sea, she ca
reened slowly over on the creaking lounge
and slept the deep dreamless sleep of the
innocent.
Elder Coddys old-fashioned carry-all
came trundlng slowly down the winding
road. The Coddy's were the aristocracy
of Bradley Hollow. Mrs. Coddy's father.
Squire Samson. having once been talked
Of for Congress. As the carryall came
10 the spot Nhere Obadiah was building
fence by the highway the Elder pulled up.
"Burdin fence Obadiah?'
"Ya-a-s. Pirty hot work though"
Obadiah bobbed his head to Mrs coddy
and daughter.
How Is Mrs. Gimley?" the elder lady
inquired.
Zine maam, fine"
Were going to the village and thought
we'd chll on her for little while"
well, now, she'll be right down glad
20 see ye," said Obadiah, much pleased.
As the party drove away Obadiah
chuckled 10 himself
wonder what the Bsasleys and the
Underhills II think TO see Elder coddy's
folks calm on her the first thing. Guess
I'd better slip down and let her know
they're comm" and Obadiah FASTENED
homeward across lots AS he approached
his house he noticed the curtains we're
down and everything seemed very quiet.
"Mebbe she's on some'rs" he muttered.
~ ape not" He opened the door ana
entered food Of light STRAINED across
the room and illumined the form upon
the lounge. Obadiah's slim neck stretched
upward from his shoulders 70 an amazing