The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-05-27
ELLPH HEWITT
AND ttBY JOCKS
ByJocks Finds That Despite the Soothing and Enrolling
Influences the Death-bed of Jarbys Great Encyco
pedia It is Still More of a Solace for One
Who Wants to LiDe

(copyright. 1907, by Ellis Parker But
20 ler.)
Old "By Jocks" Edmiston was in bed
when Eliph' Hewitt. the little book
agent. called at the farmhouse. and
his daughter was busy putting up
strawberry jam. She was in no good
temper, for a kettle of Strawberries had
scprched while she had beeA up stairs
for minute to see by JOCKS shuttle
of the mortal coil. and she had just
rot another lot of Strawberries on the
stove, and by Jocks" was yelling
down the stairs for her to come up and
hdld his hand while he dropped off
into the eternal.
He was a chronic deceaser and got
. dying spell every SO often, but they
didn't usually work out. He generally
began to die about the time his daugh-
ter got her hands so full of work that
itSwas a nuisance to have him dying,
ins bed, and then he would get up and
do a good days work and feel bet
ter.
snow. 1 amt got no time to buy
books, nor yet to look at books she
said sharply. I've got my hands full
with these berries and pa up stairs with
ono of them foolish dyin' spells OF his.
Juet you go right along and don't both
erSme.'
She wiped her heated face with her
apron and plunged a wooden spoon In
to- the kettle of berries. "Oh. pa. do
be- still for one minute, won't your she
called. You won't give me minutes
rest. I'll be up in plenty of time. You
lie still and let me finish this job, and
Ill come right up. Please do!'
The Quavering voice came down the
stairs calling. Mary, come up" and
she wrung her hands.
Land sakes!' she moaned. He
Ne see
such a man! / just can't leave these
berries!" and then she saw the little
book agent still standing with his face
against the screen door. would you
mfnd goin' up and keeping pa amused
until I get, these berries in the cans?"
she asked. Try to sell him a book, or
do anything you want to, so you keep
him busy. I'm plumb bothered to death,
and every time he yells down git more
nervous"
She opened the screen door and the
little book agent stepped carefully into
the kitchen.
sRigh UP them steps," she said. and
he went as directed.
by Jocks" was lying In bed with the
covers drawn W to his neck and he
raised his head and looked at Eliph'
Hewitt as the book agent entered.
Come W to see me der he asked
angrfly. We'll, I guess it's about time
somebody was comm. I never knew
such a family as I've got. They don't
care cent by jocks. whether I die all
alone up here or not. Every time gilt
a dyin' spell they all go and git busy
A man can't die like he ought to in
such family. Every time 1 get ready
to drop off, and feel 1 am goin', they go
to putin up fruit or something, by
Jocks. And they been dom that way
for the last thirty years. I'm gettin'
tired of It."
Fifph' Hewitt smoothed his whis-
kers with his neat little hand and took
the chair that stood near the head OF
the sbed. He laid his sample on the
floor at his feet on one side. ana his
hat on the other.
.'fm a book agentf' he said gently.
"And my name is Hewitt; Eiiph' Hew-
litt.~~I am selling to the leading citi-
zens of this section a work in one vol
unfe."
aBy Jocks" popped up his head and
looked at Eliph' Hewitt with amaze