The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-28

don't know why. Idiosyncrasy sup
pose. But | shouldn't care for hunt
ing. even with bows and arrows.
would kill tiger or poisonous rep
tile, or anything else, in case of neces-
sity. But even then | should hardly
enjoy it. know some animals are
pests and have to be killed. Some
men do, too. But don't like to do it
myself"
Wouldn't that theory lead to a
wholesale evasion Of responsibility?
Perhaps. I'm no philosopher. But
a blackbird or red fox is so pretty.
even when he Is thieving, that I'd let
him have the corn. I'm like the
Lord High Executioner in The Mi
kado' who was SO tender-hearted that
he couldn't execute anybody and
planned to begin with guinea-pigs and
work up. Only I'm afraid I couldn't
even manage the guinea-pigs."
She laughed. "You wouldn't find
many to practice on here. Do you
raise guinea-pigs up North?"
"Ah," he said ruefully. "you tag me,
too. Have / by chance a large letter
N tattooed upon my manly brow? But
suppose it's the accent. Uncle JET.
ferson catalogued me in five minutes.
He said he didn't know why I was
from de Norf,' but he knowed' it.
I've annexed him and his wife, by the
way"
You're lucky to have them. Unc'
Jefferson and Aunt Daph might have
slipped out of plantation of the last
century. They're absolutely ante-bel-
lum. Most of the negroes are more
or less spoiled, as you'll find, I'm
afraid" She turned the conversation
bluntly. Had you seen Danory
Court before?"
mo, never"
do you like the general plan Of the
place"
do like it?" cried John Valiant.
do like it,"
A quick pleasure glanced across her
face. "It's nice OF you to say it that
way. We ask that question so often
it's become mechanical You see, it's
our great shew.place."
At that moment a patter Of foot
steps and shrill shrieks came flying
over the last-year's leaves beyond the
lilac bushes. It's Hickey Snyder" she
said, peering out smilingly as two
children, pursued and pursuer, burst
into view. "Hush!" she whispered;
II wonder what they are up to-"
The pair came In a whirl through
the bushes. The foremost was
seven-year-old negro girl, in a single
short cottonade garment, wizened,
barelegged and bareheaded, her black
wool parted in little angular patches
and tightly wrapped with bits of cord.
The other was white and as freckled
as turkeys egg, with hair cropped
like a boys. She held q carving
knife cut from shingle, whose edge
had been deeply ensanguined by poke
berry juice. The pursued one Stun
bled over a root and came to earth in
heap, while the other pounced upon
her like a wildcat.
Hold still, you limb of Satan" she
scolded. How can l do it when you
won't stay still?"
"Oh, lawd." moaned the prostrate
one, IN simulated terror; "oh. Doctah.
good Doctah Snydah, has All gotter
hab dat operation? Is yo' sho' gwine-
ter twitter aroun' NAH insides wild
dem knives en- saws en- things?"
1T won't hurt" reassured the would.
be operator; mo more than it did Mis-
Poly Clifford. And I'll put your liver
right back again"
Wait er minute. All jes' remem-
bahs All fo'got ter make nah will. All
leabs-"
Nonsense" objected the other irri-
tsbly. You made it yesterday. They
always do 1t beforehand"
No, sun; All done clean fergot ct.
All leabs nah thimble ter de Mefodis'
church. en- nah black en- wife kitten
ter Hickey Snyder, en-"
A twig snapped under Valiant's foot.
Both scrambled to their feet, the black
0rl to look at them with a wide self.
conscious grin. Hickey, tossing her
A'"ii OoNh lIOul uST ITSCklc0
lace, came toward them.
nay goodness, Miss Shirley" she
said. we didn't see you at ALL" She
locked at Valiant. Are you the man
mats going to fix up Damory Court?"
she inquired. without any tedious for.
malities.
Yes" said Valiant.
we'll she said critically, you've
got your Job cut out for you. But
should say you're the kind to do it,"
"Rickey!" Shirley's voice tried to
be stern, but there was a hint of
laughter in 1t.
What did I say now?" inquired
Hickey. I'm sure l meant 1t to be
complimentary"
1T was,' said Valiant. "I shall try
70 deserve your good opinion"
But what CHASTITY play!" ex.
claimed Shirley. Where did you
learn II 30