The Key West citizen., 1940-04-24
Chapter 8
Frog Language

TOMPS heart lifted. "Oh, then
i he he spends some time
here?"
That's his place next door on
the other side. Lives there when
he amt with his folks in Ala
media"
Tomi's chin went up. Wouldn't
it be just dandy for Bartell to
win this place and double his
property?
"Aimed to buy this whole Sec
tion." Abe went on. Wanted to
reclaim the swamps and start
him a little town.
Tomi's heart went down and
her eyes narrowed
Abe was pointing at the first
pen. That's the nursery" he ex-
planned. ''We put them in there
till they start Sheddin' their tails.
This row of pens here is the
schoolroom. Feed 'em and listen
to 'em learnin' to sing.
"Over there" he pointed to a
group on the edge of the farm
where small bayous curved blue
fingers in from the bay as though
they would claw the earth to
tidelandS "them's the breedin'
pens"
Toni forgot Bartell as Abe
talked, and her vision of little
green frogs in long green rows
was replaced with this imposing
array of pens. ~ .4-'<.
These" announced Abe, paus-
ing before the final group, 'is
market stock. Little fellows ought
to be up today. Airs got a feel of
spring in it,"
ABE" Toni sidled up to the
old where is dot1n?"
Abe didn't seem amused at her
ignorance. Down." he elucidated,
''is at the bottom of the tanks.
They snuggle into the silt for the
winter, like as you snuggle into
quilts when you're amin for a
long sleep, some cold weather.
Well go in here" He opened a
door softly and spoke in a whis-
per. You stand back in the COR
ner there. Look out you don't
tear your breeches on that there
close-meShed wire end we're put
ting up new; gotta keep lizards
and snakes from gettin' in"
"Snakes?" echoed Toni. "You
mean Snakes?"
"Umm," affirmed Abe with f.
nality, as Toni closed the door
swiftly behind her and looked at
her ankles with apprehension.
She'd never have worn half-socks
had she known that.
Abe tensed suddenly. "Sh, don't
move. See the little fellows?"
Toni. looking at the pool, saw
nothing but lily pads and the bull
bouS nobbins of water hyacinths.
Then she saw that some of the
nobbins had eyes.
"Ha," came a Wheezy chuckle
from the old man, there's Little
Sweetheart"
He shuffied to the far end of
the pool and squatted on the edge,
then started talking in a sing
song voice.
Come on, baby. Come on, lit
tie fellow Come on to Abe"
A mound, the size of both of
Abe's hands. stirred on a log, then
with a powerful push of hind legs,
sprang through the air to Old
Abe's knees.
Tomi's soundless laughter was
checked in sheer aStonishment.
The frog knew Abe. Others be-
gan to come to his wooing voice.
clustering in the short grass at his
feet, their ridiculous eyes SEEM
ing to pop in alteration.
Tomi'S own eyes were popping
a little as she began easing to-
wards Abe In a moment there
was a machine gun scattering of
forms striking the water.
Talk To Them
A BE looked up in. mild disap-
"A proval. "You gotta get 'ein
used to you. Now you sit here
like this and talk to them"
Fascinated, Toni squatted in
excellent imitation of Old Abe
Ind started her sing-song. "Come
on, baby. Come show you eyes to
Toni. Come on"
mo, no" scolded Abe. "You
amt shootin' dice. Don't snap
your fingers. Take it slow and
Sweet-like."
Toni looked over the pool. Not
a frog was in sight. She drew a
deep, resolute breath and began
in honeyed tones, Come on,
lambie-pies. Come on to Toni.
sweet babies"
Something stirred beyond the
netting on the far side. Toni saw
first, shining leather boots. next,
twill riding breeches, a leather
jacket, a chin, gray blue eyes
dancing with golden glints Of
laughter. Allen Bartell.
Wouldn't he be the one to catch
her making a fool Of herself.
Toni snapped to an erect posi-
ton. "Good morning, Mr.. Bar
tell" she greeted in a frigid tone.
i was gong 70 ask ABE TO call
you. I'd like to see copy of Tim
othy Toland's will"
"I have one" Allen BaFtell
stopped; his face assumed a Pc
euliar expression, grew red. His
hands rushed to his numerous
pockets, one emerged with a
handkerchief and into this went a
violent sneeze.
81 have one with me-" he in
formed her with a frigid dignity
which matched her own.
"Then, shall we 20 to the house?
suppose you viii want to dis
cuss certain business details with
mel"
Right" Bartell spoke with too
much emphasis TO suit Toni.