Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-20
The Story Te'ler.
JOHN QUITS SECRET.
How q Farmers Shrew Wife
Got Left.

S0t Lett.
lis Mr.. Cults in?" asked a gentle
man who, having knocked at a door,
was saluted by woman from an up
per window with, well, what's wan
tin naow?"
rs Mr.. Cults in?"
"Yes, he's in or about somewhere,
l suppose" she replied; but I'm Mr..
Cults where any business is to be
done. He's Mr.. Cults eatin' and
drinkin' and sleepin' sometimes"
well, my good woman" said the
gentleman, "I think he will be Mr..
Cults for my business, too. I wish to
see him."
What do you want of him." asked
the shrew, thrusting her head still
further out Of the window.
ITO do something for me. But 1
must see him." was the reply.
"Is 1t real business, for pay, or only
a favor you want? I can let your
hoss have a peck of oats, or can di-
rect you to the shortest road to the
Four Corners, or 1 can-I can-why-
1 can do anything for you that he
could, and a good deal more! 1 can
take the money and write the receipts
and pay the men, and 1 take care OF
the produce I'm as good a Judge OF
stock as he Is, and I can't be beat on
horse-f1esh.'
But" said the gentleman, drawing
down his face solemnly, you can't
take his place now. Find him for me
at once"
The shrew was baffied. 'Look-a-
here, mister, maybe you do not know
the circumstances of this case. This
here farm is mine, and it was my
fathers afore me; and Cults, he hain'S
no more claim to 1t than that hen
down there has. And, besides. I'm
seven years older than he is. a foot
higher, and weigh twenty pounds
more! What's your business on my
place, If 1 may make 80 bold?"
TO see and talk with your nus
band" replied the gentleman, getting
out Of his buggy and hitchias his
horse to a post as If he meant to stay
until he did see him.
BE you a doctor? Cause there
amt living thing the matter with
Cults. He's the wellest man in town,
and so be l." said this woman for the
times.
mo, my good woman, I'm not
doctor. Do you think your husband
will be in soon? Send that boy to
find him." said the stranger.
The boy looked up in his mothers
face-but he knew his own interests
too we'll to start without orders.
Then you're minister, I suppose,
by your black coat. may as well
tell you and save your time, that we
don't go to meeting and don't want
to. 1t amt no use for you to leave no
tracts for nothing-for I've got a big
dairy, and hain't no time to idle away
readin,' and I keep him about early
and late, that when he's done work
he's glad to go to bed and rest"
I'm no minister, madam; I wish ]
was though, for your sake" said the
gentleman.
Look here, mister" now appear
ing at the door, and looking def1antly
at him, you're schoolmaster hunt
in up a district school, and you think
he's a committeeman; but he amt
this year."
Send for your husband; I cannot
wait much longer. l must see him at
once"
The boy started to his feet again,
and looked into his mothers eye; but
she gave no marching orders.
''Ma'am Cults" as the neighbors
called her, dropped her hands at her
side and heaved a groan. She had
found a man she couldn't manage.
See here, now, mister" she said,
II can read a man right through, and
1 knew what you was the blessed mi
mute l clapped my eyes on you. can
tell by your everlastin' arguin' that
you are a lawyer. We hain't got no
quarrels; don't want no deeds draw
ed or wills made, so If you're hunting
a job of my husband, you may as we'll
onhitch your horse and drive on. We
know enough to make a little money
and l know enough to hold on to 1t"
My good woman, you entirely
my errand. I can tell
no person but himself what 1t Is, and
must tell him in confidence. If he
chooses, he can break it to you the
best way he can"
"Oh, my goodness sake alive!
Brother Lifts blowed up in the Mis-
sissippi boat, bet! Oh, la me, the
poor fellow. He left a little some
thing, didn't he?"
II never heard OF him, and no
body's blowed up that l know Of"
replied the gentleman.
"Oh-now I know! You're the man
what wants to go to congress, and
have come here huntin' after votes.