Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-09-25
Matilda's Dream and
What Came of 1t
By FRANCIS T. MecUTcHEoN .

WEzRAl EZRA" called Matilda
~ from the back porch, cupping
her hands to her mouth. "Be you stop
diggin' long enough to eat your din
ner?"
"Comin', 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. Cleaning his
boots he crossed to the table and
slumped into a chair.
Ezra, ever since your Uncle Cyrus
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 you'll" said Matilda, putting
the coffee pot back on the stove. "For
six months. reckon, you've been dig
ging holes all over the place like
ground hog. What have you found?
Nothin'l" said his wife with sarcasm.
"Just because your Uncle Cyrus left
no money in the bank, is no reason
that he buried it in a 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 gon-
ner give up yet"
"You better had," she replied.
"Think Of the neighbors."
"You worry too much about other
folks gossip" he said.
II reckon not, Ezra. But folks can't
figure out them holes an they're doin'
powerful lot of talkin' an snickerin.'
Why's your mind set on this fool dig
gimp she asked.
Because Uncle Cyrus had no faith
in banks. I've looked from the cellar
to the attic, but found nothin', so l
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 fellows would have to stay up
all night to pull the wool over his
eyes. Uncle Cyrus was slickern a
fox"
swell, Ezra. I'm tellin' you that
they've got smart fellows in New York
who don't have to lose any sleep sellln'
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 be-
lieve in dreamsT
swell, sometimes do an sometimes
I don't. What's on your mindT he
asked
Last night | dreamed of your Uncle
Cyrus. saw him settin' at this ta-
BILE, bendin' over tin box"
"Was that all?" asked Ezra.
"No," said Matilda. IL saw him close
the box an tuck it under his arm.
Then he picked up the lantern from
the table an left the house."
"Did you see, Matilda, where he
took the box?" he asked.
"Sure, did," she said, continuing.
"lle slowly made his way to the rear
0f the barn, where he stopped as
though listenin'."
"Yes, Matilda, go on" said Ezra.
"Then, Ezra, I woke up"
swell of all the darn fool Dreams"
said Ezra. slumping in his chair. "Why
didn't you keep asleep for a minute
longer"
swell, for land sakes alive, sleep,
an you on your back, snorin' like a
fiddle. But I've been thinkln' q
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. II saw
him standin' right here" and she point
ed to spot midway between the barn
and the corn-crib. Tm figurin' he
was maxim for that corn-crib, Ezra"
"By cracky, Matilda. Maybe, you're
right" and started digging with nerv-
Gus energy. In few minutes he
Strengthened up with 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
II 60 funny when thew know Two found
" t'"""
Uncle Cyrus cash box" His nervous
fingers opened the box and four eyes