Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1889 — SIMEON SYKES. [ARTICLE]

SIMEON SYKES.

An Alliterative Romance. ■ - Detroit Free Press. r Simeon Sykes, silver-seller, strayed slowly southward; steadily seeking satisfactory sales, soberly sauntered, swinging satchel, systematically showing solid silver spoons, sugar shovels, small sized salvers, superior spectacles, soissors, sewing shields. Somber skies sent soft showers, soaking Simeon’s satchel, 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 snndry [stately sycamores standing sentinel, shading said spinster’s spacious shelter; spied Sally, sitting solus, sewing "silk Btockinett, slyly snuffing sweet-scented Scotch snuff. Sudden surprise seized Sally’s soul, seeing Simeon’s swift strides; Sally’s sanctity soon skedaddled shame'u’ly. She, somewhat sensitive, suspiciously started, suddenly spilled some snuff, -oiled stockinett, stammered, stuttered, said, “s-s-seat, s-sir.” Simeon shivered, shook, said, “Smart shower.” Sally said, "Slightly so.” Simeon’s shins seemed sore; so Sal'v sought some soothing salve (Sawyer' ) supplied some soft-soled slippery Square-shouldered, slab-sided, spin-dle-shanked Simeon seemed satisfied. Bally said: “Sold some silver since Sunday, Simeon?” Simeon scolded savagely. Sally suggested snpper. “Sartin, Sally!” said Simeon; “something sufficiently strengthening. Some strong stimulant.” e'o Sally set some sausage, sirloin steak, savory stew, some soothing sangkree. Simeon’s stomach seemed satisfied; so Simeon smoked several “Spanish Began,” sat stupefied, soon slept, snored sonorously. , Sally, sitting, solmnly, , stitching stockinett, suddenly sneezed! Simeon started—saemed 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 Bmooth symmetry. She aomewhht suspicious, said, “Soft—sickieh!” Simeon stared significantly, said. “S eetest, surely such solitary souls should sympathize.” Sally stopped Simeon. Simeon seemed snubbed. She seemed sorry; showed some softening symptoms, supinely sought Simeon’s sturdy shoulder, sh! sh! sh! Bim smacked Sally! So straightway surrendering she smacked Sim! Simeon said. “Set some suitable season.” Sally said: “September.” Simeon shrugging Sim’s shoulders said: “Sooner! Surely Scripture sanctions such strong sympathy; say Sunday,”. So Sally succumbed. * * * ~ • Seven snpernal seasons soft ly, silently Slipped somewhere. Seven small scions sprang, successively sheddingsunshine, singing, shouting, seldom sick, equally sometimes, still sweetening Sally’s solitude, ' So, succeeding summers serenely spent, Simeon’s seven stalwart sons seized soldiers’ swords—successively subdued southern secessionists—subsequently settled south. Simeon still sells silver, supplying substantial subsistence.