The Marshall republican., 1912-04-26

mo; you and Jimmy can not be
trusted together; you are sure to get
into mischief. and his mother and I
have decided to keep the fence be-
tween you for a while. Now, promise
me that you will stay right In my
yard"
Billy sullenly gave her the promise
and she went back to her baking.
THAT g always the way now" he
said, meeting his little neighbor at the
fence, ever since Aunt Minerva got
onto this-here promisin' business, I
don have no freedom Z all. II q VIII
liam, promise me this an II q will
liam, don't forget yo' promise now
tell ! g jes' plumb sick n tired Of II.
She know I amt goin' back on my
word an she jes' nachelly gifts the
vantage Of me; she bout the hardest
oman to manage ! eve seen sencs
I q born"
II can nearly all time make my
mama do anything most II ! JUS
keep on trying and keep on a-begging."
Dragged the other boy; II Just say
May I, mama7' and she II all time
say, NO, 60 way from me and lemms
Tone and I Just keep on, May !
mama? May !. mama7 May I, mama7'
and torechiy she II say. Yes. 90 on
and femme read In peace"
Aunt Minerva won't give In much"
said Billy. when she say No. VII
liam,' Z amt no use I all to beg her;
you Jest wastin' yo' breath. When she
put her foot down IL got to 70 Just like
she say; she sho' do like 10 have her
own way better n any oman ] ever
see"
she bout the mannishest woman
they TO-" agreed Jimmy. She got
o under her thumb. Billy. I dom
see what womans re made To- II you
can't beg EN- into things. ! would mt
let no old spunky Miss Minerva get
the best Of me that way. Come on,
anyhow"
Nav. I can't come" was the
gloomy reply; III she d lest toll me
not to. I c~ouldn'er went. but she made
me promise, an ! amt never goin'
back On my word. You come over TO
see me-"
Il can't" came the answer across
the fence; Il m earning me a baseball
mask. done already earnt me n mitt.
My mama don't never make me prom
Use her nothing, she Just pays me to
be good. That q huccome ! IN bout
TO get 1igion and 90 TO the mourner's
bench. She Q gone up town now and
II ] don't 20 outside the yard while
she q gone. she 3 going TO gimme a
baseball mask. You got a ball what
you bringed from the plantation. and
II II have n bat and mitt and mask
and we can play ball some. Come on
over just a little while; you ain't earn
ing you nothing like what I'm do
ing"
Nav; ! promis' her not TO an ]
amt ever goin' 10 break my promise"
We'll. then. Mr.. Promiser," said
Jimmy, go get your ball and wen
th'ow cross the fence. ] can't find
mine"
Billy kept his few toys and play
things In a closet. which was full OF
old plumber. As he reached for bis
ball something fell at his feet from n
shelf above. He picked Il up. and ran
~excltediy into the yard.
Look. Jimmy" he yelled. here s a
baseball mask ! found In the closet"
Jimmy, forgetful OF tho fact that he
was TO be paid for staying at home.
Immediately rolled over the fence and
ran eagerly toward his friend. They
examined the article In question with
great care.
'Tt looks perzactiy like a mask"
announced Jimmy after n thorough In
spection. and yet II don't" He tried
II on. 1T don't seem to ft your face
right" he said.
Sarah Jane was bearing down upon
them. "Come back home dis minute
Jimmyi" she shrieked, want TO ketct
some mo- contagious ~'seases, dom
yuhf What dat y all got nowl" Al
she drew nearer q smile Of recognition
and appreciation overspread her BIZ
good-natured face. Then she burs
into q loud, derisive laugh. what y
all gwine to do wid Miss Minerva's oil
bustlef" she inquired. "Y' all sho' an
de c~ontaritest chillens Ia dis here cop
peration."
BUSTER" echoed Billy. what 3
bustleT"
"Dat-ar p a bustle-dat . what .
hustle. Ladies' useto G 'em 'caus'
dey 80 stylish to make they dresse
stick out in the back. Come on home
Jimmy. fore yuh ketch de yaller 1andi
er DO ~epizootics; yo' ma toll yuh Z
stay right at home"
well, I m coming. amt II" scowle'
the little boy. MAMA need mt :
know nothing 'thout you tell"
would you take 20 mama's pref
emit now. Jimmy?" asked Billy; "yo'
amt earnt It."
would MT youf" asked Jimm,
doubtfully.
NAV. I would MT. 'thout I toll her.
well, I II tell her I Just come