The Lambertville record., 1926-10-14
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT"


Doc Bloom, preacher gardener, surveyed the broad
expanse of Mercer University campus and its colorfu
array of flower beds, blooming hardly in spite of the
simmering heat of a day. Doc knew that his
work good and he mopped his glistenng coun-
tenance with brilliantly colored bandanna handker
chief he decided that he had earned rest.
1t was one of those days when the world was at
peace; the broad expanse of lawn closely clipped
the flower beds well tended he had watered them
enough the previous evening to their whsandng
the heat then pulsing the earth He withdrew into
clump of shrubbery under of the ancient trees
whose grateful shade spread benedicton the
spot.
As he stretched out the cool grass he watched
the spry actions of pair of mating birds the
LEAKAGE above him. Doc loved birds; each day when
he partook of his ample lunch he always scattered
crumbs for them and of them had to trust
him to alighting his hand and pecking fasti
diously at his offerings.
Lii love BIRDS" he murmered sleepily he
their bright eyes peerng at him thru the leaves go
an do yo lovin; All amt gwine bodder yo." And
his eyelid dropped he pulled his frazzleedged Hopping
straw hat his eyes great sigh heaved from his
baneike chest and he asleep.
The frazzled edge of the old straw sun hat fas-
cnated the birds in the above Pert chirpngs
Indicated that they discussing the possibilities
of its in the building of their nest Finally
of them darted to the ground Docs head and
stood poised he summoned courage to attack tie
frazzled straws
Docs only movement the rise and fall of his
folded hands, resting his stomach. The bird
hoped closer-wated- tentatively pecked at a
loose straw in the hat it away in his beak and
he flew triumphanty back to the half-bult nest.
eongratulatory chirp from his mate greeted this
eessfu foray and when he again swooped to the ground
| near Docs head she accompanied him.
But this time the straws they pecked at did not
1v apdac thauX od of Tho
frazzed edge of the hat they became engrossed
with their work that they forgot to be cautious Finally
of them caught loose strand of Docs kinky WOOL
and the sharp jerk sent him upright with startled
grunt his hand sought that part of his pate which
had felt the momentary twinge of pain.
frantic futter of wings conveyed to his keen old
mind what had happened, and he watched the two
scared birds dart to neighborng and disappear
in its foliage, he muttered: "Huh Gittin' familyur
amt yo? Jes' cause All gives yo' somep'n ter
sometimes amt call fer yo ter try an tear all de
hahn outten nah haid fer ter make yo bald wid!"
A step the graveled walk nearby announced the
presence of one and Doc looked around he
the face of Professor Mount regarding him with an
amused smile "And who is it that is trying to make
bed of your hair?" he asked genally.
Doc grinned. "a coupla birds buildn' nest All
wuz sleepin' an de bold lii mps a-peckin' at
nah hair"
alus de way; give anybody inch, an deyll take
mile. FAMILIARITY breeds contempt--wid folks.
OATS why mated folks CANT live tergedder-
dey gifts too famyur. All reckons dat word means too
much famy!"
Professor Mount laughed at Docs pronunciation of
the word "famiar;" But you may be right at
that" he replied
Course Abs right" Doc reoined "De mo- friend
y folks gifts, de mo- ovah-hearn' dey gifts Hit
takes nightly conshyenshus men tie know wen ter
stop frum takn' much fer granted Ain dat
right?"
And without waiting for Professor Mount to re-
ply he continued; "Ah members wunst wen a gal
membah ob nah chech got maied dey wuz two
niggers lovin er fit ter kill, an finely wen she greed
te git mated ter O. EN-, she made i'm gree dat
de odder niger is gotta be free visit em aft dey
mated
$50 aft dey mated bout two munts de gals
husbun come home night an cotch 'em lovn' an
kissn an huggn' De husbun say de niger, 'Whut
yo mean comm hyah an kssin nah wfe?'
An de odder niger say, We'll, All fergt ter kiss
er at de weddin, an All jes' maxim up fer de
lost tme!"