The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-03-18

ing to the lonely little house on clear
June morning would have called 1t the
capital of Fairyland and chiefly be-
cause of the many voices in the reedy
marsh and the woods and the flower
strewn grasses near it.
Bumpy was wont to call the birds
his chickens. He fed them with
crumbs from his table.
With his own hands he had COM
pleted the picturesque little house. It
was snugged into the river bank. Its
curving roof had wide overhang.
Its windows were almost flush with
the ground toward the trail. Its floor
was somewhat below the level Of the
ground on three sides. Its south side
toward the river had door and two
windows, opening on fiat rock ledge.
Beyond them was fine stretch of
still water. The roof was partly COW
cred with overlapping cedar strips
from an abandoned launch, patch
of shingles, patch of rusty tin, and
a patch of tai paper.
The windows and doors differed In
shape and size. They had come from
abandoned mills and houses. The snug
and shapely structure, about sixteen
feet square, gave one the impression
that it had grown out of the ground.
Though delightful in form, 1t was
thing of shreds and patches.
Bumpy Brown was cutting wood
back Of the house.
Hello, Bony!" he shouted. "Pm
gettin' ready to start up the fun
works"
Its a sight to see you workin',"
said Bony.
"Say, by Jeedix! When I've swung
an ak a while l git grudge ag'in'
Adam fer eatin' that apple"
Bony introduced his young friend.
Say, boys, what be you expectin'?"
The boys did not quite understand
his query and were silent.
= wen have good visit an regular
Christmas dinner. Come down to the
spring a minute. l want to show We
suthin' calculated to improve the con-
dition o. the poor"
They descended from the high
ground to wooded ravine. A covered
dishpan was sunk in its cold spring.
1t held a small dressed turkey.
"AIy friend Muggins brought that to
me, KNOWN l expected company"
Bumpy explained. ut makes him feel
bad to see young turkeys sleepin' out
o'-doors, in tree, these frosty nights.
They amt comf'table. He puts 'em
out O. their misery" M
The old man laughed as he added:
"There amt a-goin' to be no sufferin'
here if can help it."
He walked with a knotty crooked
stick cut in the woods. His artificial
leg squeaked at every step. He
limped little but he could travel at
a good pace. AS they entered the
house strange gentle voice called
out:
"Hello, pard! Are you happy?"
eyes, Dick" Bumpy answered.
'Praise the Lord" the voice ex-
claimed.
1t came from a yellow-headed par
rot in cage that rested among some
ported ferns on q windowsill. The
floor was well swept. The whole in
terror of the little house was notice
ably clean. A crayon portrait of q
plain-looking woman hung on the wall.
"That's henry wife," said the old
man proudly as he stood looking at the
portrait. "Just as nat'ral as can be-
made from a photygraft. Alwus look
in at me-the best woman that ever
lived. Died ten year ago, this comm
fall-September seventeenth, at four
ten in the mornin' exactly"
He wiped his eyes with a faded
bandanna handkerchief and went to
the woodbox. He. began to white
kindlings for the stove. He stopped
and looked up at the boys and added:
II said she died but she's still here
alwus speaks to me when I come home
an we talk things over same as we
used to-
He hurried out-of-doorS.
always hustles around like that
after he's spoke his piece about her"
said Bony with a smile.
Bumpy returned with an armful Of
wood. He turned to Bony and said:
"Say, listen to me. OF Bumpy
Brown has quit drinkin'. No more
whisky fer him-not never no more |!
By Jeedix! I mean it. The las time
/ come near breakin' my good leg an
then my wife an / had a talk about
it. She argued it out plain. AM then
/ had a dream an heard her voice.
She screamed to me an she said:
Look out, Bill, look out! l was
scairt."
Bumpy shook his forefinger at Bony
with this solemn declaration:
"If you ever see me drunk ag'in,
you can take off my wooden leg an
split it up fer kindlin's. I guess the
d-n' thing would burn WELL"
The parrot broke into laughter and
then said in a gentle voice. God is
love-"
my wife taught him that" said
Bumpy. Hes good comp'ny. Dear