Part 13 (2/2)

”I'm going to hide it first,” cried Frances.

”Naw, you ain't,” objected Jimmy, ”you all time got to hide the switch first. I'm going to hide it first myself.”

”No, I'm going to say 'William Com Trimbleton,'” said Frances, ”and see who's going to hide it first. Now you-all spraddle out your fingers.”

CHAPTER XIV.

Mr. ALGERNON JONES

Again was it Monday, with the Ladies Aid Society in session. Jimmy was sitting on the gra.s.s in his own front yard, in full view of Sarah Jane, who was ironing clothes in her cabin with strict orders to keep him at home. Billy was in the swing in Miss Minerva's yard.

”Come on over,” he invited.

”I can't,” was the reply across the fence, ”I'm so good now I 'bout got 'ligion; I reckon I'm going to be a mish'nary or a pol'tician, one or t' other when I'm a grownup man 'cause I'm so good; I ain't got but five whippings this week. I been good ever since I let you 'suade me to play Injun. I'm the goodest little boy in this town, I 'spec'. Sometimes I get scared 'bout being so good 'cause I hear a woman say if you too good, you going to die or you ain't got no sense, one. You come on over here; you ain't trying to be good like what I'm trying, and Miss Minerva don't never do nothing a tall to you 'cepting put you to bed.”

”I'd ruther to git whipped fifty hunderd times 'n to hafter go to bed in the daytime with Aunt Minerva lookin' at you. An' her specs can see right th'oo you plumb to the bone. Naw, I can't come over there 'cause she made me promise not to. I ain't never go back on my word yit.”

”I hope mama won't never ask me to promise her nothing a tall, 'cause I'm mighty curious 'bout forgetting. I 'spec' I'm the most forgettingest little boy they is. But I'm so glad I'm so good. I ain't never going to be bad no more; so you might just as well quit begging me to come over and swing, you need n't ask me no more,--'tain't no use a tall.”

”I ain't a-begging you,” cried Billy contemptuously, ”you can set on yo'

mammy's gra.s.s where you is, an' be good from now tell Jedgement Day an'

'twon't make no change in my business.”

”I ain't going to be 'ticed into no meanness, 'cause I'm so good,”

continued the reformed one, after a short silence during which he had seen Sarah Jane turn her back to him, ”but I don't b'lieve it'll be no harm jus' to come over and set in the swing with you; maybe I can 'fluence you to be good like me and keep you from 'ticing little boys into mischief. I think I'll just come over and set a while and help you to be good,” and he started to the fence. Sarah Jane turned around in time to frustrate his plans.

”You git right back, Jimmy,” she yelled, ”you git erway f'om dat-ar fence an' quit confabbin' wid datar w.i.l.l.yum. Fixin' to make some mo'

Injuns out o' yo'selfs, ain't yeh, or some yuther kin' o' skeercrows?”

Billy strolled to the other side of the big yard and climbed up and sat on the tall gate post. A stranger, coming from the opposite direction, stopped and spoke to him.

”Does Mr. John Smith live here?” he asked.

”Naw, sir,” was the reply; ”don't no Mr. 'tall live here; jest me an'

Aunt Minerva, an' she turns up her nose at anything that wears pants.”

”And where could I find your Aunt Minerva?” the stranger's grin was ingratiating and agreeable.

”Why, this here's Monday,” the little boy exclaimed. ”Of course she's at the Aid; all the 'omans roun' here goes to the Aid on Monday.”

”Your aunt is an old friend of mine,” went on the man, ”and I knew she was at the Aid. I just wanted to find out if you'd tell the truth about her. Some little boys tell stories, but I am glad to find out you are so truthful. My name is Mr. Algernon Jones and I'm glad to know you. Shake!

Put it there, partner,” and the fascinating stranger held out a grimy paw.

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