Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1883 — Useless Questions. [ARTICLE]

Useless Questions.

A dark cloud hung in the West, the wind roared in the distance and the leaves trembled in that settled stillness which precedes a storm, as a horseman dashed up to the fence surrounding a small cabin in the great pine woods of Arkansaw. , “How are you, my friend?” called the rider. “Ain’t ’zackly yo’ friend,” said the man who sat in the doorway greasing his shoes, “ ’case I never seed yo’ afore; but I’m so so, how is it with ye’self ?” “I am about to be overtaken by a cyclone and I want shelter. ” “Cyclone,’’repeated the squattier. “I’ve been in this country some time an’ I never seed one yit. Cyclone,” and he rubbed his red hands over his cow-hide shoes. “B’lieve I did hear of one over in the lick Branch settlement. Feller caught him in a bear trap.” “My kind sir, you misunderstand me—” “Ain’t a kind sir. Daddy-in-law says ’m the wust in the pot.” “I’ve got no time to fool —” “oh, yes, act natchul.” “What did you say ?” “Said make yo’sef easy,” and dipping up a handful of melted tallow he spread it over his shoes. “There’s a terrible storm coming up, and I want you to give me shelter ?” “Ain’t nary’un. Had a shelter whar Jake hung his terbacker, but I tuck it down an’ kivered the beans with the boards to keep the frost offen ’em.” “I see there’s no use in fooling with you, ” said the stranger, when the rain drops began to fall. “Under your roof I could remain dry, but —” “Bet yo’rd be dry, fur I ain’t had a drap to drink in a week.” “How far is it to the next town ?” “In what direction ?” “This way,” pointing. * “It’s furder den it is the other way.” “Well, how far is it?” “Dinged if I know. In late years this land’s got into the habit of streatchin’, so that a man can’t tell half the time whar he is. ” “Come, I’ll get wet.” “That’s all right, but I reckon I won’t come.” “Look here, your fool soul, I don’t want to get wet.” “ ’Cause you don’t wauter git wet don’t give you a right to something that don’t b’long to yo’. I own about a mile squar’ here, an’ es yo’ don’t like the lay of the lan’, travel. ” “I only ask you to let me stay in your house tiil the rain is over. ” “How can you stay in my house when you ain’t in thar?” “You’re the fool I ever saw.” . “Bleeged to you fer the compliment. ” “May I go into your bouse and stay there until the rain is over?” “Yes, sir; jes’ git down an’ make y’sef at home. Es yo’ had axed me that question at fust, yo’ cdulder been in thar all the time. Way with yo’ fellers. Ax a thousan’ questions all aroun’a p’int, an’never hit the spot. Have a seat, while I scuffle aroun’ an’ git a bite to eat fer you’. Wife’s gone from home, but I reckon we ken make out. Don’t mind that dog, fer he can’t bite. So old his teeth’s all out. Don’t git sheered; he’ll only pinch a little. ” —- Arkansaw Traveler.