Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 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 np to the fence surrounding a small cabin in the great pino 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 yo’self ?” “I am about to be overtaken by a cyclone and I want shelter.” “Cyclone, "repeated the squatter. “I’ve been in this country time on’ 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’(a kind sir. Daddy-in-law says ’m the wust in the pot.” “I’ve got no time to fool —" “Oli, yes, act natchnl.” “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 wanter git wet don’t give you a right to something that don’t blong to yo’. I own about a mile sqnar’ here, an’ef 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 ?” thskraensr- fool X-nysEjMB&JL... --<«»■ “Bleeged to you fer the compliment. ” “May I go into your house and stay there until the rain is over ?” “Yes, sirj jes’ git down an’ make y’sef at home. Es yo’ had axed me that question at- fust, yo’ conlder been in thar all the time. Way with yo’ fellers. Ax a thousan’ questions all aronn’ a p’int, an’ never hit the spot. Have a seat, while I scuffle aronn’ an’ git a bite to eat fer you’. Wife’s gone from home, hut 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 skeered; hell only pinch a little. ” Arkansaw Traveler.