The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-07-09


stand, and when it come to that Smiley
would ante up money on him as long
as he had II red. Smiley was mon
strous proud of his frog, and well he
might be, for fellers that had travelled
and been everywheres all said he laid
over any frog that ever they see.
"Well. Smiley KEEP the beast in lit
tie lattice box. and he used to fetch
him downtown sometimes and lay for
bet. One day feller-a stranger in
the camp he was-come acrost him
with his box and says:
"'What might it be that you've go,
in the box?
And Smiley said, sortcr Indifferent
like. 1T might be a parrot. or it might
be canary maybe but it ain't-it's
only just frog.
And the Teller took it and looked at
it careful and turned it around this
way and that and says: Hin. So it's.
Well. what's he good for:'
WELL Smiley says, easy and care
less, hes good enough for one thing. |
should judge. He can outjump any
frog in Calaveras county
"The Teller took the box again and
took another long. particular look and
give it back to Smiley and says very
deliberate. Well, ! don't see no pints
about that frog that's any better'n any
other frog
"'Maybe you don't Smiley says.
Maybe you understand frogs. and
maybe you don't understand 'em.
Maybe you've had experience. and
maybe you amt only a amateur. as it
were Anyways I've got my opinion.
and I'll resk $40 that he can outjump
any frog in CalaTeras county,
And the Teller studied minute and
then says kinder sad-like. We'll. I'm
only a stranger here, and amt got
no frog, but If had a frog. Id bet
YOU
And then Smiley says: That's all
right; that's all right. If you'll hold
my box minute III go and get YOU
a frog And so the Teller took the
box and put up his $40 along with
Smiley's and set down to wait.
$50 he sat there a good while think
ing and thinking to hisself. and then
he got the frog out and pried his
mouth open and took teaspoon and
filed him full of quail shot. filed him
pretty near up to his chin and set him
on the floor. Smiley he went to the
swamp and stopped around in the mud
for long time. and finally he ketch
ed frog and fetched him in and give
him to this Teller and says:
"'Now. if you're ready set him along.
side Of DanI. with his forepaws just
even with DanI's. and I'll give the
word Then he says. 'One-two-
three-git!!' And him and the Teller
touched up the frogs from behind and
the new frog hoped off lively. but
Danl give heave and hysted up his
shoulders so. like a Frenchman, but it
warn't no use, he couldn't bulge He
was planted as solid as church, and
he couldn't no more stir than if he
was anchored out. Smiley was good
deal surprised. and he was Disguised,
too, but he didn't have no idea what
the matter was. Of course.
1.-THE Teller took the money and start
ed away. and when be was going out
at the door he sorter jerked his thumb
over his shoulder. so at Dan'l. and says
again, very deliberate, Well he says.
Il don't see no p'ints about that frog
that's any better'n any other frog
Smiley be stood scratching his
head and looking down at Dan'l a long
time, and at last he says, L do wonder
what in the nation that frog throws
of for! l wonder if there amt some
thing the matter with him! He pears
to look mighty baggy somehow And
he ketched Danl by the nap of the
neck and hefted him and says. Why,
blame my cats. if he don't weigh five
poundr and turned him upside down,
and be be!ched out a double handful
of shot And then be see how it was,
and he was the maddest man. He set
the frog down and took out after the
Teller. but be never ketched him,
and
Here Simon Wheeler heard his
name called from the front yard and
got up to see what was wanted.)
Turning to me as he moved away. he
said, Gust set where you are. stranger,
and rest easy. amt goin' to be gone
Il second"
But, by your leave. did not think
that a continuation of the history of
the enterprising vagabond. Jim Smiley,
would be likely to afford me much in
formation concerning the Rev. Leon
idas w. Smiley. and so l started away.
At the door met the sociable Whee-
Ter returning, and he buttonholed me
and recommended:
well, this yer Smiley had a yaller
one eyed COW that didn't have no tail.
only jest short stump like bannan-
ner, and"-
However. lacking both time and in
clination, l did not wait to hear about
the afflicted COW, but took my leave.
Health of the Mind.
L. l,z1~ ~ boo LA lea