The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-12-30
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. Alpernon Jones.

Mr.. Al0ernon Jones.
Again 1t was Monday, with the
Ladies' Aid Society in session. Jimmy
was sitting on the grass in his own
front yard, in full view of Sarah Jane,
who was ironing clothes in her cabin
with strict orders to keep him at
home. Billy was in the swing In Miss
Minerva's yard.
Come on over" he invited.
IT can't" was the reply across the
fence, "I'm so good now bout got
1igion; l reckon I'm going to be a
mish'nary or politician, one or
tother when I'm grown-up man
cause I'm so good; amt got
but five whippings this week.
/ been good ever since let
you 'suade me to play Injun. I'm
the coolest boy in this town, / spec.
Sometimes get scared bout being
SO good cause hear q woman say
II you too good. you going to die or
you ain't got no sense, once. You
come on over here; you amt trying
to be good like what I'm trying, and
Miss Minerva don't never do nothing
a tall to you 'cepting put you to
bed"
I'D ruther to git whipped fifty hun
derd times n to halter go to bed in
the daytime with Aunt Minerva look
In at you. An her specs can see
right th'oo you plumb to the bone.
Nav. can't come over there cause
she made me promise not to. aint
never so back on my word yit."
Il hope mama won't never ask me
to promise her nothing tall, cause
I'm mighty curious bout forgetting. |
spec I'm the most forgettingest little
boy they Is. But I'm so glad I'm so
good. l ain't never going to be bad
no more; 30 you might just as well
quit begging me to come over and
swing. you needn't ask me no more
tain't no use a tall"
II amt a-begging you," cried Billy
contemptuously. "you can set on yo'
mammy's grass where you is, an be
good from now tell JeIoameut Dav
7 won't make no change In my bust.
ness"
Il amt going to he 'ticed into no
meanness. cause I'm 80 good" con.
tinued the reformed one, after q short
silence during which he had seen
Sarah Jane turn her back to him,
!. but ! don't b'lieve it'll be no harm
JUS to come over and set in the swing
With, you; maybe / can 'fluence you
to be good like me and keep you from
'ticing little boys into mischief. I
think I'll just come over and set a
while and help you to be good" and
he started to the fence. Sarah Jane
turned around in time to Illustrate his
plans.
You git right back, Jimmy" she
yelled, you git erway rom dat-ar
fence an quit confabbin' wild dat-ar
Willyum. Fixin' to make some mo-
lnjuns out O. yo-selfs, ain't yeh, or
some yuther kin O. skeercrows?"
Billy strolled to the other side Of
the big yard and climbed up and got
on the tall gate post. A stranger,
coming from the opposite direction,
stopped and spoke to him.
Does Mr.. John Smith live >here?"
he asked.
Nav, SIR" was the reply; don't no
Mr.. tall live here; jest me an Aunt
Minerva, an she turns up her nose
at anything that wears pants"
"And where could / find yorr Aunt
Minerva?" the strangers grin was in.
gratiating and agreeable.
why, this here's Monday" the lit
tie boy exclaimed. "Of course she's
at the Aid; all the 'omans roun' here
goes to the Aid on Monday"
Your aunt is an old friend Of
mine," went on the man, "and | knew
she was at the Aid. just wanted to
find out II you'd tell the truth about
her. Some little boys tell stories, but
] am glad to find out you are 80 truth
full. My name Is Mr.. Algernon Jones
and I'm glad to know you. Shake!
Put 1t there, partner" and the fasci-
mating stranger held out grimy paw.
Billy smiled down from his perch
at him and thought he had never met
such a pleasant man. If he was such
an old friend Of mis- aunt's maybe she
would not object to him because he
wore pants. he thought Maybe she
might be persuaded to take Mr. Jones
for a husband. Billy almoet loped
that she would hurry hom' 'om the
Aid. he wanted to see the two togeth-
er so.
rs you much OF cusser: le G. ed
solemnly, "'cause II you Is you'll
halter cut 1t out on these premises. I"
Mr.. Jones seemed much surprised
and hurt at the question.
IAN oath never passed these lips"
replied the truthful gentleman.
Can you churn?"
"Churn-churnT with q reminis-
cent smile, II can chun like a
top"
I..l.