Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-11-22

Jim Rummldge, reckon I do that"
plped zeke's thin voice. as he leaned
forward across the counter. "Ain't
go'n' 4 fright I'm. nuther, not right
soon amt. Went OF T. Missouri OWN
me a dollar and thirty-four cents and
l never did git H."
Jaw. well, Zeke, don't worry nome"
Uncle Nick reJoIned, "y'u've wormed II
outen some other pore devil b. this
time. more'n likely"
The blacksmith slapped his heavy
hand down on his thigh. the Others
laughed. the fsherman's frisky eye
twinkled and he swore merrily.
Zeke said never a word. but the ex-
preston In his little rat eyes might
have meant any number Of things.
"Blamedest feller--that Jim Rum
nudge" Uncle Nick went on. "Ther'
wertin't nothin' but what him an that
brother NJ o. his'n wus up to when
they wus youngsters. Ricollect one
Sund'y Jim tuck Il into is head L yoke
up a couple o. calves oil man Rum
nudge was caic'latin' e save rr oxen.
an e coaxed 81 Z play on sick with
I'm SOS they wouldn't haf e go Z
church. Well. the oil folks werdn't
more'n out o. sight when up jumps
Jim. an 81 right after I'm. an they
breaks rr the barn-lot t yoke up them
yearlln's.
"sh-h-h--" warned Zske. "hym
comes the parson."
Almost with the words, the dapper.
nervously alert young preacher en-
tered the door. In spite OF his studi-
Gus air OF ripper years he couldn't have
been more than six or seven and
twenty. The trademark Of his call
ing was hung all over him. His shiny
boots, elaborate frock coat. neck stock.
high hat and enormous spectacles
fairly shrieked schooImaster.
And yet one could not help wonder.
Ing why fate had set such n man as
the Rev. Caleb Hopkins to the bust.
ness Of keeping school. Dissociated
from all suggestion Of theology and
chalk, his figure was about all that
could he desired In a man--height a
trife above medium well set up; 1.-the
and graceful-and his face-nothing
short OF handsome. only for a certain
air ~ peerIng severity.
To look NJ him as he entered the
door--six feet OF 1.-THE young man
hood smothering under Its ascetic. not
to say somber. investure-one would
never have guessed that there was
anything wrong with his health. and
yet that was precisely what had
brought him TO the Flatwoods.
And now as he walked past Loge
Belden slouched against the counter.
he stopped and stood staring curl
ously at him.
Belden seemed on the point Of re
senting the look when the Reverend
Caleb quickly turned away. and with
a nod passed the group around Uncle
Nick and went ON 10 the post Office
window at the rear Of the room.
what a. y'u say we ask I'm Z
4 long" whispered Al Counterman
to Uncle Nick as the young minister
stood waiting for zeke Pollok 70 ad-
Just his dirty spectaeles on his thin
nose. turn up the smoky lamp and
laboriously sort over the meager bunch
Of letters and postcards.
"I'u da'sn't." Uncle Nick answered
guardedly,
Watch me. an yum see whuther
da'st. Amt a-feared OF no parson
mir. Hopkins" he called a momen,
later, stepping in front OF the younp
preacher ms he passed toward the
door. IA passed. Of us fellers Is goln
a.seinln' up around Alpine island In
the mornln'. reckon y'u wouldnr
IKE Z go long. mr. nothin'. would y'ur
"who are going. did you sayY'
"oh, me an Uncle Nick. thar. an
Big Jack warhope."
Il have promised to be AZ the socis
tomorrow evening at the sehoolhouse
which, I am Informed. Is always helt
In celebration OF the last day OF school
DO you expect to return In time fol
thatY-
Jaw. Wen be back by noon. easy
let me see" pondered the preach
or, not willing 10 compromise his dig
nsty by appearing oyeranxious, This
Is Wednesday: tomorrow Is rhursda,
II believe I may safely allow myself
this recreation. I shall be most happ,
to avail myself OF your kind invita-
ton
The fisherman stood lingering hi,
hat and staring at the door long aftel
the minister had passed out. IN.
twinkle gone from his puckered on,
eye. a puzzled look on his smoked ha
con rind OF a face.
swell, III be dernedi wouldn'
that SINCE y'ur whiskersi I dunno III
whuther he said ed come r not"
Uncle Nick threw his head back and
fairly reared. while the postmastel
rumpled up his dry eountenancs into {
half begrudged grin.
Course he said ed come whal
wus you brung up at anyhow Didn'
y'u hyGr I'm say he'd vaii himself q
y'ur kind invytationf Course hei
ealc'iating e come zeke. wei Ia
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