Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1890 — COULD NOT AFFORD TO KNOW. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COULD NOT AFFORD TO KNOW.

HE Circuit Court was in session in oneof the back counties of Arkansas. An important case had come up for trial. Ihe regular venire,of jurymen had been ’ exhausted and deputy sheriffs were sent to the country to summon addi-

tional jurymen. One of these deputies, had been instructed to summon a certain man whose place of residence he did not know. Riding along a lonely road he came to a field, in the middleof which was a small cabin. A tow—

headed, ragged boy about twelve yean? old was playing near the fence. In answer to his hail the boy approached, slowly and irresolutely. “Johnny,” begah the deputy, in an insinuating voice, “can you tell me who lives in that house ?” “Ye-eh.” “Who is it?” “My maw.” “Yes, I know; but who lives with her?” “Me.”. “Doesn’t any one else live there ?” “Ye-eh.” “Who is it?” “My paw.” “What is your ‘paw’ and ‘maw’s’' name?” “They’s name paw an’ maw.” “Well, haven’t they any othernames?” “Ye-eh.” “What are they?” “My paw’s name Unker John and. my maw’s name A’nt Jane.” The Deputy was nonplused for am instant, but made another trial. “What is your name?” he asked. “Jim.” “Haven’t you another name, Jim?” “I dunno.” “What! a boy as big as you doesn’tknow his name ?” “Looky yere, mister, yer wanterknow er dang sight erbout this fambly. Yer kin go up thar ter ther cabin, an” talk ter my maw es yer wanter. T. uster ter know er powerful heap tell I tuk er peddler ter ther house ’at sol*" maw er clock whut won’t run. Ther peddler hain't be’n back fur ter git therwawter whut’s er bilin’ fur ’im. I got sumpin’, though, ’at’ll keep me sum er knowin’ ernough ter take anybody thar ’less’n maw knows ’e’s er cornin’. I’ll hoi’ yer hoss while yer go ter ther cabin. Yer better tell me whar yer want ’im tuck es yer don’t come back.’” A red-headed woman came to the* dcor and screamed: “Jimmy, es yer don’t come yere this* minute I won’t leave er whole bone in. yer ugly little hide.” The boy started for the cabin in a. trot, and the Deputy Sheriff rode rapidly away.

HUGH BLAKE WILLIAMS.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHO LIVES IN THAT HOUSE?”