Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-03-21
MISS MINERVA
60 and MN
@N'Vg WILLIAM GREEN HILL
ByFRANCES BOYD CALHOUN
BY FRANCES BOYD CALHOUN
lCopyright. d Reilly & Britton .

an she got to nuss it. An the mex
is Mount Sinai Tabernicle, he name
fer the church where Oh Aunt Blue
Gum Tempy's Perjury Pearline takes
her sackerment; an the mex Is first
Thessalonians; Second Thessalonians
he's dead an gone to the Bad Place
cause he skunt a cat-I don't mean
skin the cat on actin pole like me
an Wilkes Booth Lincoln does-he
skunt sho' 'nOugh cat what was d
black cat, what was a ole witch, an
she come back an ha'nt him. an he
growed thinner an thinner an yeas
Ter an weasler, tell finely he want
nothin' tall but a SHELTON an the
Bad Man won't low nobody tall to
give his parch tongue no water, an be
got to, ever after amen, be toast on a
pitchfork. An OIeander Magnolia Al
thea is the mex" he continued,
enumerating Perjury PearIine's off
spring on his thin. weIl-molded fin
gers, she got the seven-year itch; an
Gettysburg, an Biddle- &-Brothers-
Mercantile-Co.; he name fer the sto'
where ole Aunt Blue-Gum Temps
Perunv Pearline sits credit so she can
pay when she fetches IN ner cotton in
the fall; an Wilkes Booth Lincoln,
him an mes twins; we was horned
the same day only Is borneG to my
mamma an he's horned to his'n an
Doctor Jenkins fetched me an Doctor
ShackIefoot fetched him An Decim-
US Ultimus, the little boy triumph
antly put his right forennger on his
left little one, thus making the tenth,
she's the baby an she's got the collie
an cries loud 'nough to wake up Is
rael; Wilkes Booth Lincoln say he
wish the little devil would die. Per-
uny Pearline frs name her Doctor
Shacklefoot' cause he fetches all her
chillens, but the doctor he say that
amt no name fer a girl, so he name
her Decimus UItimus."
Miss Minerva, sober, proper, digni-
fed, religious old maid unused to chill
dren, listened in frozen amazement
and paralyzed silence. She decided to
put the child to bed at once that she
might collect her thoughts, and lay
some plans for the rearing of this sad
ly neglected, little orphaned nephew
William" she Gaid, 1T is bedtime,
and | know you must be sleepy after
your long ride on the cars. Would you
like something to eat before put you
to bed? | saved you some supper"
"Naw'm, l hain't hongry; the major
H.
me in the dinin room an gimme all
| could hoP; l jest eat an eat tell
they want wrinkle in me-" was the
reply. He axed me bout you, too.
Is he name Major Minerva?"
She opened a door in considerable
confusion, and they entered a small,
neat room adjoining.
This is your own little room, VIII
liam" said she, you see it opens into
mine. Have you a night-shirt?"
"Naw'm, | don't need no night-shirt.
l jest sleeps in my unions and some
times in my overalls."
Well, you may sleep in your union
suit tonight" said the scandaIized rel
ative, and III see what l can 90 for
you tomorrow Can you undress your
SELF"
Her small nephew wrinkled his
nose, disdainfully. We'll, I reckon
SO" he scornfuIIy made answer Me
an Wilkes Booth Lincoln been I'M
dressin' usseIf ever sence we's born. d"
IN come in here after a while and
turn off the light Good night, VIII
liam"
Goodnight Aunt Minerva" re
spOnded the little boy