The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-04-30

| VVuluu Cnat theory Aedu W
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 lei
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 | 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 l by chance a large letter
N tattooed upon my manly brow? But
I suppose it's the accent. Uncle JET
ferson catalogued me in five minutes
He said he didn't know why / 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 Damory
Court before?"
mo, never"
do you like the general plan of the
placer"
DO like lit" cried John Valiant.
do like it,"
A quick pleasure glanced across her
face. Its nice of you to say it that
way. We ask that question so often
it's become mechanical. You see, It's
our great show-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;
Il wonder what they are up to-"
The pair came in a whirl through
lIf0 UuSnCbs uO III OAIAODb HoS ~
seven-year-old negro girl in 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 a turkeys egg. with hair cropped
like a boys. She held a carving
knife cut from a single, whose edge
had been deeply ensanguined by poke
berry Juice. The pursued one stun
bled over a root and came to earth in
a heap, while the other pounced upon
her like a wildcat.
Hold still, you limb of Satan" she
scolded. "How can do 1t when you
won't stay still?"
ooh, lawd." moaned the PROSTATE
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?"
ct won't hurt" treasured 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
tably. You made it yesterday. They
always do it beforehand"
mo, sub; All done clean forgot 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
girl to look at them with a wide self
| conscious grin. Hickey. tossing her
short hair back from her freckled
face, came toward them.
my goodness, Miss Shirley" she
said, 1--WE didn't see you at ALL" She
looked at Valiant. care you the man
that's going to fix up Damory Court p
she inquired, without any tedious for
| m9lities.
| yes" said Valiant.
well" 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 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. II shall try
to deserve your good opinion"
"But what a CHASTITY play!" ex
claimed Shirley, where did yor
learn it?"
I'VE were playing Mis- Poly Clifford
in the hospital" Hickey answered
She's got a whole lot of little peb
bles what they cut out"
"Oh, Rickey!" expostulated Shirley
with shudder.
They did. She keeps them in g