Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-06-07

''O!" ] remarked, weakly.
like. You went on: I haven't word
to say-in fact, Id be only too glad to
see you succeed"
Here l Strengthened with almost a
screech
What? 1 said that? Oh, now, Jen-
ktns, you-oh, you're mistaken"
Jenkins eyed me sorroWfully.
Your words, sir, exactly, and then
you went on, kinder personal---very.:
Why, l haven't meant to stand in
your way at all!'"
l groaned.
go on." I breathed through my
teeth. Then I Strengthened forward.
What did the judge call that punch
what kind?"
heidelberg punch, sir,"-a sympa-
thetic pause as l swept my hand
through my hair. Yes, sir, it GER
tainly must be something high-oh,
awful, sir!"
He went on rs l dipped my head at
him. "rhen this young chap catches,
you by the hand and he says, Why,
you're a brick, after ALL And you!
says: Yes, We'll get along better now
my boy, and you want to be mighty.
grateful to Dicky Lightnut for it, And
this young fellow says, kinder smii-
ing: Indeed, l ami And then him
and you just shook hands again all
over"
Jenkins stopped for breath, but |
didn't say word. BY Jove, it all made.
me a bit sick, don't you know. Oh,
l must have been maudlin, that's what
-maudlin. l managed to wag my
head to start him Off again; couldn't
speak, you know!
Yes, sir" Then you says: That's
all right, now, my boy; so you run:
along, because I'm awfully busy. To-
morrow We'll talk some more.
Bully!' says the chap. Good night.
old mani Then he turns back, kinder.
smiling sidewise. It's sure on the
level, is it, that you're going to let me
have clear road with Frances?'
oh, bother Frances!' you says
laughing. Yes, yes, and when you
win her, she'll be to me as my own
girl. And l know I'll have her love,
too
Whats that? says the young fell
low, kinder frowning. And you says,
easy-like, Why, Well just be one hap
py family Then you chuckled like
you was mighty pleased and says:
And think she is learning to like me
pretty we'll already Why, do you
know what she did tonight? She
came right up to me and in the sweet
est way kissed me good night"
"Oh!" I said, digging my fingers
into the bedclothes. Obi"
Eyes, sir" said Jenkins chokily. He
went on: This young fellow just
marches right close up to you and
says, speaking kinder quiet and his
eyes shining, You say Frances kissed
you?' And you sorter gave a laugh
and dug him in the side and you
says, I do believe the boy is jealous!
Why, yes, you rascal, she certainly
did-she kissed mel
"'Well, it's lie!' he says back,
pointing at you with his finger. Be
cause it amt like her. And he got
closer.
"'See here he says, have you just
been trying to get gay with me to-
night? Huh!-well, I'm just going to
box your jaws for luck!'
"'What?' you gasps-'what's that%
and you storms up to him-'Why,
you young puppy, do you know who
you're talking tor you says.
"'Bah!' he says, and he just goes up
and snaps his fingers in your face,
You chokes kinder, and then you
yells at him: Why, you young. ruff
fan, I've spanked you before, and |
can do 1t again
"'Yahh he says, making faces at
you. You spanked! You hit me when
l wasn't looking. Ny foot slipped
"'Foot slipped, YOU BANKED foolr
you shouts at him, and then" Jen.
kins wiped his forehead-"Then the
next thing I see, you mixed"
"Ah!" I breathed with relief. THAT'S
better!"
l chuckled Then suddenly felt re.
morseful.
Where did hit him this time, Jen.
kins-did you notice? Was he hurt
much?"
Jenkins looked down, avoiding my
eyes. "Um, not exactly, sir" he said;
'in fact, it was-er-kinder the other
way"
stared, aghast.
"You don't mean, Jenkins"
Jenkins evidently did! His eyes ex.
pressed both pity and embarrassment
What he did to you,"-he rolled
his glance upward, trying to shape
the idea-'I believe, sir, it's what you
might call"-his voice dropped-"I be
lieye it's what they do call wiping UP
the floor with"
I closed my eyes an instant.
Finish" l whispered, feebly flip
ping my hand at him.
HE left then, sir, but the noise
brought Wilkes and we helped you
upstairs. You wouldn't go any farther
than the door of the judges bedroom
wanted to tell him. we supposed.