The Coolidge examiner., 1931-10-02
II ~ u II II u II " u r.
Matilda's s Dream and
What Came of It
By FRANCIS T. McCUTCHEON

her hands to her mouth. "Be you
stop diggin' long enough to eat your
dinner?"
Comm, Matilda :" bawled Ezra,
as he dropped his spade and made
for the back porch.
Ezra FOgg, don't you dare come
in here on my clean kitchen floor
afore you wipe that mud from your
feet" called his wife from the
stove.
"All right" replied Ezra meekly,
and backed out of the door. Clean
ing his boots he crossed to the table
and slumped into a chair.
Ezra, ever since your Uncle Cy-
rus died six months ago an left you
this little farm-what have you
done?" asked Matilda, pouring out
the coffee. But his wife beat him to
the answer.
'Tll tell your' said Matilda, put
ting the coffee pot back on the
stove. For six months, | reckon,
you've been diggin' holes all over
the place like a ground hog. What
have you found? Nothin'!" said his
wife with sarcasm. Just because
Uncle Cyrus left no money in the
bank, IS no reason that he buried it
in hole in the ground" His wife
ate sparingly, her eyes never left
his face.
Ezra, amt you conner stop this
fool nonsense?"
II reckon not, Matilda. l amt
conner give up yet"
"You better had" she replied.
think of the neighbors."
you worry too much about other
folks gossip" he said.
81 reckon not, Ezra. But folks
can't figure out them holes an
they're doin' a powerful lot of
talkin' an snickerin'. Why's your
mind set on this fool diggin'?" she
asked.
Because Uncle Cyrus had no
faith in banks. I've looked from
the cellar to the attic, but found
nothin', so | reckon he buried it."
Ezra, do you remember the time
your Uncle Cyrus went to New
York an stayed two days? OF
course you do. An maybe some OF
them slick city fellows sold him
some oil stock"
"Stuff an nonsense" he replied
Them fellers would have to stay
up all night to pull the wool over
his eyes. Uncle Cyrus was slicker'n
fox"
well, Ezra, I'm tellin' you that
they've got smart fellows in New
York who don't have to lose any
sleep sellin' oil stock to country
folks like your Uncle Cyrus" called
Matilda for a parting shot.
Next morning when Ezra came In
for his breakfast. Matilda asked as
she poured the coffee, Ezra, do you
believe in dreams?"
"Well. sometimes | do an some
times | don't. What's on your
mind" he asked.
Last night / dreamed of your
Uncle Cyrus. | saw him settin' at
this table. bendin' over a tin box"
"Was that all?" asked Ezra.
"No," said Matilda. 81 saw him
close the box an tuck it under his
arm. Then he picked up the Ian
tern from the table an left the
house."
did you see, Matilda, where he
took the box?" he asked.
"Sure I did," she said, continu-
ing. "He slowly made his way to
the rear of the barn, where he
stopped as though listenin'."
"Yes, Matilda. go on" said Ezra.
"Then, Ezra, woke up"
"Well Of all the darn fool Dreams"
said Ezra, slumping in his chair.
"Why didn't you keep asleep a min
ute longer?"
wei, lOI lduu SdheS alive,
sleep, an you on your back, snorin'
like a bass-fiddle. But I've been
thinkin' a powerful lot since that
dream. Get your spade an come out
TO the barn."
Matilda led the way to the rear of
the barn, when she paused. 81
saw him standin' right here" and
she pointed to a spot midway be-
tween the barn and the corn-crib.
"By cracky. Matilda. Maybe you're
right" and started digging with
nervous energy. In a few minutes
he Strengthened up with a small tin
box in his hands. There she be.
Come on" he called, and swiftly
made his way to the house.
Them pesky neighbors won't
think it so funny when they know
I've found Uncle Cyrus cash box"
His nervous fingers opened the box
and four eyes were centered on its
contents.
"Well. Matilda, l reckon you're
right. Them New York slickers got
Uncle Cyrus cash an we got a lot
If worthless oil stock.
With head down he dejectedly
'tarted for the door.
M III