Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1889 — SWEET SALLY SUCCUMBED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SWEET SALLY SUCCUMBED.

Simeon Sykes’ Story.

IMEON SYKES, silver-seller, strayed slowly southward,Bteadily seeking satisfactory sales, soberly saunSt ere d, swinging sachel, systematically showing solid silver spoons,sugar shovels, small sized salvers, superior

spectacles, scissors, sewing shields. Somber skies sent soft showers, soaking Simeon’s sachel, shoes, stockings, shirt, skin. Suddenly something seemed softly saying: “Sweet Sally Slater Simeon soon shall see.” So Simeon straightway strode stupendous strides, seeking Sally’s sunny shelter. Simeon soon saw sundry stately sycamores standing sentinel, shading said spinster’s spacious shelter; spied Sally, sitting solus, sewing silk stockinet, slyly snuffing sweet-scented Scotch snuff. Sudden surprise seized Sally’s soul, seeing Simeon’s swift strides; Sally’s sanctity soon skedaddled shamefully. She, somewhat sensitive, suspiciously started, suddenly spilled some snuff, soiled stockinet, stammered, stuttered, said: “S-s-seat, s-sir.” Simeon shivered, shook, said: “Smart shower.” Sally said: “Slightly so.” Simeon’s shins seemed sore; so Sally sought some soothing salve (Sawyer’s), supplied some soft-soled slippers. Square-shouldered, slab-sided, spin-dle-shanked Simeon seemed satisfied. Sally said: “Sold some silver since Sunday, Simeon?” Simeon scolded savagely. Sally suggested supper. “Sartin, Sally,” said Simeon, “something sufficiently strengthening. Some strong stimulant.” So Sally sent some sausage, sirloin steak, savory stew, some soothing sangaree. Simeon’s stomach seemed satisfied; so Simeon smoked several “Spanish segars,” sat stupefied, soon slept, snored sonorously. Sally, sitting, solemnly stitching stockinet, suddenly sneezed! • Simeon started—seemed scared—suspiciously surveyed surrounding space, shutters, shades; seemed secure.

Sally stopped sewing, said she saw someone slyly sneaking, stealing Simeon’s silver. Simeon, slightly susceptible, seemed suddenly smitten, sought Sally’s side, sacrilegiously surrounded sanctimonious Sally Slater’s smooth symmetry. She, somewhat suspicious, said, “Soft sickish!” Simeon stared significantly, said, “Sweetest, surely such solitary souls should sympathize.” Sally stopped Simeon. Simeon seemed subdued. She seemed sorry, showed some softening symptoms, supinely sought Simeon’s sturdy shoulder, sh! sh! Sim smacked Sally! So straightway surrendering, she smacked Sim! Simeon said: “Set some suitable season.” Sally said: “September.” Simeon, shrugging Sim’s shoulder, said : “Sooner! Surely Scripture sanctions such strong sympathy; say Sunday.” So Sally succumbed. ***** Seven supernal seasons softly, silently slipped somewhere. Seven small scions sprung, successively shedding sunshine, singing, shouting, seldom sick, squalling sometimes, still sweetening Sally’s solitude. So, succeeding summers serenly spent, Simeon’s seven stalwart sons seized soldiers’ swords— successively subdued Southern Secessionists—subsequently settled South. Simeon still sells, silver, supplying substantial subsistence.— Detroit Free Press.