Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-07-29
CHAPTER K.
FILMoREs store ".

iii ~ FELL ElLMOhES STORE was
IN about half q mile from Bish-
ops house. at the crossing Of
the barley road and another
leading into east Tennessee. Alan had
gone down there one day to engage
white labor to work In his growing cot
ton, negroes being scarce owing to the
tendency Of that race to flock into the
towns. With the aid of Pole Baker,
who was clerking that day for FIJI
more, he soon employed the men he
wanted and started to walk back home.
On the way he was overtaken by his
uncle, who was returning from barley
In his wagon.
Hold on, thar" the old man called
out. EFF you are a-goin' home. I'll rest
yore legs"
Alan smiled as he climbed up into
the seat by the old man.
II shall certainly appreciate It." he
said. "I'm tired out today"
II sorter thought you looked fab
bergasted," returned Abner as he
swung his whip over the backs Of his
sleek horses. well. reckon could
afford to give you ride. l hauled
that cuss Dole three miles goin' t'other
way. He had the cheek to yell at me
from Understands ginhouse an axed
me eff I'd haul i'm. Then he kept me
waitin' till he'd belt prayer an read
to the family"
"You don't seem to like him." said
Alan. 1--WE noticed that for some time"
II reckon don't to any great ex-
tent" said Abner, clucking to his tired
horses, "but 1t amt rally to my credit.
A feller's wrong som'ers, Alan, that
allows hissepf to hate anything the
Lord ever made. I've struggled agin
TINT proposition fer twenty-five yeer.
All this talk about the devil maxim the
bad an the Lord the good is talk
through hat Bad things was made
fore the devil ever jumped from his
high estate, ur he'd never preferred a
fork to a arp I've tuck notice, too.
TINT the wust things ever seed was
sometimes at the root O. the best.
Manure is bad thing. but cake Of
It will produce daisy bigger n any
In the field. Dole makes me gag some
times, but MS narrer as he Is twixt the
eyes he may do some good. reckon
that hell fire sermon be gave us last
August made some o. the crowd sweat
out little o. Their me0nness. I'D "a
been more merciful on sech hot day
though. He mought "a reserved that
harangue fer some cold day in Deem
Der when the stove fiues wouldn't
work. Ef I'd a. been a-goin' to tell
about future torment that hot day, I'd
a. said that every lost soul was made
to set on a cake O ice in windy spot
through all eternity, an I'd a. started
out by singin' On Greenland's Icy
Mountain But that amt what axed
you to git in my wagon fer"
"You didn't intend to try to convert
me, then 2"
mo, didn't, fer you are Jest my
sort of Christian - better'n me,
sight, fer you don't shoot Off yore ba-
zoo on one side or t'other, an that's the
habit Pm tryin' to quit. Eff could
hold in when Dole gifts to spoutin', I'd
be better man. think I'll do better
now. I've got a tenpenny nail In my
pocket. an whenever he starts In I'm
goin' to bite 1t an keep my holt on 1t
till he stops. Yes, you are Jest my
sort Of Christian. You believe In
breathin' fresh air Into yore windplpe,
thanktn' God with clear eye an good
muscle an takin' what he gives you
an AKIN i'm to pass more ef It's han
dy You know the lord has cent WI,