Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-21
What's a book, Uncle Bob?" he de-

well, whatever a body don't know
reckon the way you twist, Nevvy
mebby you'd adr- TO to lose an
earl" and Mr.. .ancy refused further
to discuss the knowledge he had gar
nered in his youth.
Hannibal and Yancy were the first
to arrive at the deserted cabin in the
lold field that afternoon. They found
the place had been recently cleaned
and swept, while about the wall was
ranged a row of benches; there was
also a table and two chairs. Yancy
inspected the premises with the eye
of mature experience.
Yes, 1t surely Is d school; any one
with an education would know that.
Just look!-ain't you glad yo' Uncle
Bob slicked you up some, now you see
what them ladies has done fo' to make
this place tidy?"
Shy children from the pine woods,
big brothers with little sisters, and big
sisters with little brothers, drifted out
of the encircling forest Coincident
with the arrival of the last Of these
stragglers Mrs Ferris and Miss NAL
roy appeared. attended by a colored
groom.
1T was so good of you to come, Mr..
Yancy! The children won't feel so
shy with you here" said Mrs. Ferris
warmly, as Yancy assisted her to dis
mount, an act of courtesy that called
for his finest courage.
| Mrs. Ferris missionary spirit mani
tested itself agreeably enough on the
whole. When she had ranged her
flock in a solemn-fac row on the
benches, she began by explaining why
Sunday was set apart for day Of
rest. touching but lightly on it's deep
er significance as a day of worship
as we'll; then she read certain chap
ters from the Bible, finishing with the
story of David, a narrative that made
deep impression upon Yancy, COM
| fortably seated in the doorway.
Cant you tell the children a story,
Mr.. Yancy? Something about their
own neighborhood I think would be
nice, something with a moral" the
pleasant earnest voice of Mrs. Ferris
reused the Scratch Hitler from his
meditations.
Yes, ma'am, reckon I can tell 'em
a story" He stood up, filling the door
way with his bulk. Il can tell you-all
story about this here house." he
said, addressing himself to the chill
dren. He smiled happily. "You-all
don't need to look so solemn, body
amt going to snap at you! This
house are the old Blount cabin, but
the Blounts done moved away from
it years and years ago. They're down
Fayetteville way now. There was a
passel of 'em and they was about as
common a lot of white folks as you'd
find anywhere; I know, because 1 come
to a dance here once and Dave Blount
called me a liar right in this ROOM"
He paused, that this impressive fact
might disseminate itself Hannibal
slid forward in his seat, his earnest
little face bent on Yancy.
why did he call you a liar, Uncle
Bob?" he demanded.
well, 1 scarcely know, Nevvy, but
that's what he done, and he stuck
some words in front of it that amt
fiten l should repeat" &.
| Miss Malroy's cheeks had become
very red, and Mrs. Ferris. refused to
meet her eye, while the children were
in a flutter of expectancy. They felt
the wholly contemporary interest Of
Yancy's story; he was dealing with
forms of speech which prevailed and
were usually provocative of conse-
quences more or less serious. He gave
them at wide, sunny smile.
when Dave Blount called me that,
struck out for home" At this sur
prising turn in the narrative the chill
dren looked their disgust, and Mrs.
Ferris shot Betty a triumphant glance.
Yes, ma'am, l struck out across the
fields To- home, 1 didn't wish to hear no
mo- of that loose kind Of talk. When
got home l found my old daddy set
ting up afo' the fire, and he says, You
come away early, son. I told him
what Blount had called me, and he
says, You acted like gentleman.
Bob, with all them womenfolks
about"
You had a very good and sensible
father, Mr.. Yancy. How much better
than if" began Mrs. Ferris. who
feared that the moral might elude him.
Yes, ma'am, but along about day
he come into the loft where l was
sleeping and says to me, 'Sun-up, Bob
time TO you to haul on you pants
and go back yonder and fetch that
Dave Blount a smack on the jaw"
Mrs. Ferris moved uneasily in her
chair. II dressed and come here, but
when asked TO- Dave he wouldn't
step outside, so 1 just lost patience
with his foolishness and took a crack
at him standing where I'm standing
now, but he ducked and you can still
see, notwithstanding to the embar-
rassed Mrs. Ferris-"where my knuck-
les made a dint in the door -jamb. l
got him the next lick, thought"
Mr.. Yancy's moral tale had reached
it's conclusion; it was not for him to
boast unduly Of his prowess.
Uncle Bob, you lift me up and
show me them dints!" and Hannibal
slipped from his seat.
"Oh, no." said Betty Malroy, laugh
ing. She captured the boy and drew
him down beside her on corner of
her chair Il am sure you don't want
to see the dents-Mr. Yancys story,
children, is to teach us how important
it is to guard our words-and not give
way to hasty speech"
Betty" cried Mrs. Ferris. indig-
nantly.
Judith, the moral is as obvious as
, it Is necessary"
!, Mrs. Ferris gave her a reproachful
look and turned to the children.
| "vou will oil he here next Sunday,