Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-01-13


see de endin' of It,"
"Wha' dem doin' now?" inquired her
brother, whose frown had relaxed at
the recital OF Maria's woes.
81 dunno. but ] goin' look t'roo de
wattlin. snd see II can see any
| ting"
II comm wild you!"
The two little imps stole round to
the back of the matched cottage,
where they knew that hole In the
wall OF interlaced laths would AFFORD
an opportunity for observation. There
was a struggle to be first at the hole
and Of course Son-son won. He took
off the straw brim which did duty as
hat and applied one eye to the hole.
The happy pair were sitting on a
bench on the opposite wall Methuse-
lah's puny shape and deformity max
ing strange contrast to the woman's
ample development. Suddenly he
kissed her and she returned the salute
with robust fervor which made Son
son exclaim. Lard! Francella. you
hear dat? Dat Is 'nough to meek de
cluckin lizard in de thatchin' trim
ble!" Hardly had the words been
spoken when a scream from within
made him return his eye hastily to
the hole. His mother stood upon the
bench. horror-stricken, her skirts gath
cred round her and her gallant lover,
armed with broom. was peering on
the ground with his short-sighted eyes
for the disturber of his bliss.
"W'at me did tell your" the boy de-
manded excitedly of his sister and
rushed round to the door, shouting,
stop. Missa Methuselah! Stop. sab!
l will kill him for you!"
Francella followed, as she always
did when her brother led, though in
truth she knew nothing of what had
happened. On the floor lay a large
lizard, which. stupefied by its fall. was
turning rapidly from gray to brown.
Snatching the broom from Methuse-
labs hand, Son-son lifted the stick
high in the air and was about to de-
molish the intruding reptile at blow
but the cats breakfast had been for
gotten that morning and she. recog-
nizing a chance Of filling the void,
darted softly forward. then out OF the
door with the prize dangling from her
mouth. Quick as a flash the boy was
after her. but his mother stopped him.
saying, Look here. buoy, lef' dat puss
alone, an go bring wood to cook the
dinner"
II did jes' teck aim for the middle
of the lizard backbone, an if Maria
didn' come / would have nail him to
de floor! Puss is de trifiiness ting in
de worr!" muttered Son-son, still
scowling after the disappearing cat.
Then he went off to do his mothers
bidding. Francella following at a re-
spectful distance.
When they were once more alone
Rachel said to her affianced husband,
81 got something to show you, but you
musn' tell nobody. You hear?"
He promised and she stepped out
side for a moment, returning with a
small. rustic ladder, which she placed
firmly against the waited wall, and
clambering up drew from amid the
box. This she showed to Methusaleh,
saying. Il got 10 pound in dis box, an
/ goin' spen some of it on de dress
for de weddin'."
Ten poun'!" he exclaimed, with
wide eyes of establishment, you is
rich woman, Rachel"
She put the box carefully back in
its hiding place and came down the
ladder.
Now, Methuselah, you is de only
one know bout dat money, so keep
you mout' shet, or it might be tiefin'
from me-"
"Nebber you fear, Rachel, my love;
will let my communication be yea.
yea, nay, nay. Trus' me for dat"
de pickney mus be come wild de
wood by dis time. so / beg you put
back de ladder 'gainst de fowl house.
an l will go boil little victuals for
you"
AS the little knock-kneed man got
outside the door with his burden. Son.
son, who had been an unseen observer
of the whole proceeding. called out to
him. Hi! Missa Methuselah. wat you
been doin' wild ladder in de house?
Me did t'ink dat you foot too twis' to
climb dat?"
Buoy" he replied. in a solemnly re-
proachful voice, "dere is no bear in
dis Ian tank God. But dere is odder
viii things JUS as bad, an if you ever
go to Sunday school you ought to
know wat happen dem dat mock at
dc afflicted of de Lord"
Rachel, coming out of the house.
heard the last words and asked, "Wha'
him saying. Methuselah?"
Rachel, am sorry to say your son
standet' in great need of chastisement.
He is a mocker, NAM"
Den | goin' to give IL to him" re-
piled the mother, making a dive at
Son-son, who always on the alert for
such emergencies. made good his es-
cape.
"Nebber min. me buoy, Wen you
clothes come Off tonight is de time,
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