Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-07-11

when I suddenly shook myself. |
yawned. and sat erect in my chair, I /
became aware OF the presence Of Jim /
Whiss-seated in his accustomed place. |
and calmly and cont entedly pulling at |
one Of my cigars. and had not heard
him enter. lie was leaning forward.
his elbows upon his knees. his eyes
fixed upon the gas blaze. as though he
were striving to stare it out Of coun-
tenance.
Hearing me stir he swept me pierre
ing glance from under his Iuttne
brows. and remarked;
Been snoozin'. ain't your"
] nodded-and again yawned.
Didn't hear me come IN. did your
shook my head-once more yawn-
ing.
SAY, look here" he growled testify.
Seems 70 me I'm goin' 20 find you
mighty poor company, tonight
/ You're gapin' like a mudcat out o. wa
ter; must be slsepier'n OF Andy Per
due was the time be rolled of r. his
| kitchen roof"
How was that. Jim2' asked
clappiug my hands over my mouth 70
stire another yawn.
Never told you, didn't -"
"No"
Never told you nothin' bout OF
Andy 2'-with a shy glance-hah in
credulous.
.Never-not that I recall"
"Wcu. I Wilt youW promise not
TO 60 20 sleep on my hands like you're
IN the habit o. doin'."
Il promise"
, "Au right. then-an' here goes"
He proceeded. with his rambling
"reminiscences OF old Andy porcuc
punctuating his tiresome drivel with
measured puffs az his shortening cigar
and an occasional sigh OF regret. "a
ne noted the rapidly accommodating ash
on the lighted end. I listened viii
j, what interest 7 could summon, study
De- ing his profile upon the wall--as usua
and Offering "a nod or gruut, at in
teryals. 10 keep him going For l hav'
learned that Jim Whiss is Ike per
verne and erratic clock that insists o
be- striking out Of all order and prece
D. dent; there il no stopping him unit!
m | has run down.
"Or Andy Perdue." he began. EVA
a Quaker BY birth. an lived out az Foi
town. some 30 or 80 years ago. Was
'u kin o. carpenter an cabinet maker
an the slowest. sleepiest. la<ies
iu 6iiatoriest mortal that ever draw q
5. the breath Of life. Wy. he wac 4
darncd lazy be didn't want 90 die
feared he night have 90 kick an struI
m ole little. right at the end. HIS Wi
al am boy went Of on a VISIT one time. "a
80 wa gone a week. Andy was too la-
70 cook his own meals; an jest turn'
in an slept the whole seven days a
nights. The time he fell oh'm his ov
fal ! kitchen he wss patchiu' the shing
90, roof: an ne went 70 sleep in the bill
sun. an rolled or. Jest walked UP lol
enough, as he Topped over the ca
trough. 20 holler-I say cead| q
ST then hit the ground kerslap-an' We
ers TO sleep ag'in.
(. AN slow he was slower n @
seven-year itch! Pelier took ba
~'S cradle 20 him, one time, 10 have n
axe rocker put on it. Wen. sir. that 3
ore ficIar piece o. furniture was Kick
round the shop fer over 20 years TN
one day Andy gitS in spiutter
w. drswls:
'ses s" BY the way. I've neglected. 80
'me solomon Rafter's baby crib. q
knows: an ] must DO IL right ava
ot 1.-THE blamed lazy OF scamp pitcl
.;.l in an put ON a new rocker, shoulGe
the cradle. an toted 10 home.
~ what do YOU s'pose?"
81 can't form supposition, il
II. I smiled
and We'll. sir" he resumed with an
ON | of convincing earuc> tne>s, maybe
and won's believe it. but OF Sol met hin
-. the door. a'boNin' an a-smiin,'
.r.a says:
e'eu I'm nightly glad you've got {
cradle done am bruug il home, An
a of | we're needin' tan l was Jest ST
Mr.. in 20 come over after H. Inc ga
wanted 10 rock in it has got "A bah
'er own. now. an we was wantin'
amp cradle pow'rful bad. Thank you
mes 50 much fer bein so prompt an
commo0ann-
was IVY. the OF poke was so slow
pie used 70 leave Standin' orders
collins. years ahead, ] worked 10
from Andy one winter; an knoW all al
81. Feller from Stonebury come
was the shop one day. an says:
Where's Audyr
"'Out. said /.
Ali BE back soon?' says he.
ssday "'Con't say. Nobody knows
,usir, him; an chances l. that he dop't.
night to see him on businessT
esday ayes he answers Wanted 10 I
Epis- him some cherry lumber fer f"rni'
"'S'pect we can trade say