The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-05-18


He could steer first rate, being used to
sailboats, but an electric auto launch
was new idea for him, and he didn't
understand her works. And he dasn't
run her aground at the speed she was
making. 'Twould have finished her
| and, more n likely, him too.
don't s'pose there ever was another
mess just like it afore or sence. Here
was u.s.. stranded with a horse we
couldn't make CO. being chased by a
Teller who was run away with in
boat he couldn't stop.
just as I'd about give up hope ]
heard somebody calling from the beach
behind us. / turned, and there was
Becky Huckleberries, Lonesome's
daughter. She had the dead decoys
by the legs in one hand.
"Hiy' says she.
"Hir' says I. "How do you get this
giraffe of yours under wayY
She held up the decoys.
"Who kill-a dem ducks?" says she.
p'inted to the reverend "He did,"
says /. And then I cal'late / must
have had one Of them things they call
an inspiration. 'And he's willing to
pay for 'em, says.
"Pay thirty-fve dollar says she.
"You betv says I.
But I'd forgot Clarissa. She rose up
in that waterlogged cart like statue
of Liberty. Never says she. eve
will never submit to such extortion.
Well drown first"
Becky heard her. She didn't look
disappointed nor nothing. Just turned
and begun to walk up the beach. "Al
right" says he. "Goo'by."
The Todds stood it for a jiffy. Then
James give in. 'I'll pay it!' he hollers.
"I'll pay it!'
Even then Becky didn't smile. She
just come about again and walked
back to the shore. Then she took up
that tin pan and one of the potaters
we'd jounced out Of the cart.
Eli, Rosav' she hollers. That mare
| turned her head and looked. And for
the first time sence she hove anchor on
that fat the critter unfurled her ears
i and histed 'em to the masthead.
eli, Rosav says Becky again and
begun to pound the pan with the po-
later. And I give you my word that that
mare started up, turned the wagon
around nice as could be and begun to
swim ashore. When we got where the
critters legs touched bottom Becky
remarks t'Whoaw
"Hereg' I yells. "What did you do
that forY'
"Pay thirty-five dolla now" says
she. She was bus ness, that girl.
Todd got his wallet from under
matches and counted out the thirty
Eve, keeping one eye on Lonesome,
who was swooping up and down in
the launch, looking as If he wanted to
cut in, but dasn't. / tied the bills to
my jackknife to give 'em weight and
tossed the whole thing ashore. Becky,
she counted the cash and slowed 1t
away in her apron pocket.
"All right" says she. eli, Rosa!'
The potater and pan performance be-
gun again, and Rosa picked up her
hoofs and dragged us to dry land, and
it sartinly felt good to the feet.
"Say," / says, Becky, it's none OF
my affairs as / know of, but is that
the way you usually start that horse
of yoursp
She said it was, and Rosa ate the
potater.
Becky asked me how to stop the
launch, and I told her. NShe made a
lot OF finger signs to Lonesome, and
inside Of five minutes the Creased
Lightning was anchored In front OF
us. Old Man Huckleberries was still
laundering to interview Todd with the
pitchfork, but Becky settled that all
right. She jumped In front of him,
and her eyes snapped, and her feet
stamped, and her fingers few. And
'twould- have done you good to see her
dad shrivel up and get humble. al
ways had thought that a woman
wasn't much good as boss of the
roost unless she could use her tongue,
but Becky showed me my mistake.
Well, it's live and Earn.
Then Miss Huckleberries turned to
us and smiled.
Gall rightr' says she. "Goo'by''
Them Todds took the train for the
city next morning. drove 'em to the
depot James was kind OF glum, but
Clarissa talked for two. Her opinion
OF the Cape and Capers, specially me,
was decided. The final blast was just
as she was climbing the car steps.
"Of all the barbarians," says She
"utter, uncouth, numbering barbarians
in"-
She stopped, thinking for q word, ]
s'pose. didn't feel that 7 could Inn.
prove on Becky Huckleberries' con.
versation much. so I says:
'All right Goo'byl' 80