The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-12-04
Cy Whittaker's
Place
BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Copydfht. 1905. by D. Appleton
- r.
SYNOPSIS.

teaCner.
cy champions Phoebe Dawes against
Atkins, and she is elected teacher. Cy
engages Mrs Beasley as housekeeper
CIV discharges Mrs Beasley. Emily
Richards Thomas. aged eight, arrives at
Cys place
.No," was the dismal rejoinder.
TITS Tuesday. II my almanac amt out
Of joint But we had beans Saturday.
and they amt all gone yet. so pre-
sumo wen have 'em till the last ones
swallowed. Aunt Debby's got what
the piece in the Reader used to call
frugal mind She don't intend to
waste anything. Last Thursday l
spanked up courage enough to yell for
salt fish and potatoes-fxed up with
pork scraps. you know. same's we used
to have when ] was a boy. We had
'em. all right. and II beans Of Satur-
day hadn't been part Of her religion
we'd be warmin' 'em up yet l took
In a cat for company t'other day. but
the critters run away. To see It look
at the beans in its saucer and then at
me was pitiful felt like handin'
myself over to the cruelty to animal
folks"
"Is she neatT inquired Mr.. Tidditt.
II don't know. I guess soon the
installment plan. II takes her a week
to scrub up the kitchen. and then one
end Of II Is so dirty she has to begin
again: consequently the dust Is SO
thick in the rest Of the house that
can see my tracks. II 'twan't 30 late
in the season Id plant garden stun in
the paror-nice soil and lots Of shade
with the curtains down"
From the rooms In the rear came
the words of a gospel hymn sung In
q tremulous soprano and at concert
pitch.
Music with my meals. just like
high toned restaurant" commented
Captain Cy.
But what makes her sing SO ever.
lastin' loudT
Cant hear herself II she don't I
could stand her deefness. because
that's an affection, and We may all
come to 1t. but
The housekeeper. still singing. en-
tered the room and planted herself In
q chair.
Good evenin'. Mr.. Tidditt," she said.
smiling genially. Nice weather we've
been havin'."
Asaph nodded.
"Sociable critter. amt she!" observed
the captain. always willin' to help
entertain Comes and sets up with me
till bedtime. Tells about her family
troubles. breaches about her niece
out west and how set the niece and
the rest of the western relations are
to have her make EN- a visit told
her she better go-I thought twould
do her good I know 'twould help me
considerable to see her start
''She's got so now she finds fault
with my neckties." he added Says
must be careful and not get my feet
wet Picks out what ought to wear
SOS ! won't get cold She'll adopt me
pretty soon. oh. it's all right She
can't hear what you say. Are your
dishes doneY' be shrieked. turning to
the old lady.
-onef One whatf" inquired Mrs.
Beasley.
'They won't be done till you 60.
Ase," continued the master Of the
house. She'll stay with us till the
last gun fires. Tother day Angie Phin-
ney called. and ! turned Debby loose
on her didn't believe anything
could wear out Angles talkin' ma
chinery, but she did It. Angelina
stayed twenty minutes and then quit
hoarse as a cow"
Here the widow Joined In the con.
versation. evidently under the impress
sion that nothing had been said since
she last spoke. Continuing her ia
vorable comments on the weather. she
observed that she was glad there was
90 little fog. because fog was hard for
folks with 'neuralgy pains" Her
brothers wife's cousin had ''neuralgy"
for years. and she described his suf-
ferings with enthusiasm and infinite
detail. Mr. Tidditt answered her ques-
lions verbally at first. later by mods
and shakes Of the head. Captain Cy
INJECTED In his chair
"Come on outdoor. Ase," he said at
last mo use TO wait till she runs
down. cause she's a self winder. guar
snteed to keep goin' for a year. Good
night" he shouted. addressing Mrs.
Beasley and heading for the door.
"where you goin'T' asked the old
lady.
"No-yes Who said so7 Hoorayl
Three cheers for Central Scottl Come
on. AseP' And the captain, selling his
friend by the arm. dragged him into
the open air and slammed the door.
Are you erazyr demanded the as
tonished town clerk. What makes
You talk like thatr'
might as we'll She wouldn't under
stand II any better II twas Scripture
and Il saves brain work. The only
satisfaction I get Is bein' able TO give
my opinion Of her and the grub with
out hurtin' her feellD's IL called her
q wooden headed Jumpin' jack she'd
only smile and say no, she didn't think
twas goin' TO rain, or somethin' just
as brilliant"