Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-70.djvu/90

80 Wading wearily along, the water up to her shoulders and occasionally filling her ears, she encountered a hard object floating towards her. It proved to be an accordion.

Pears like I'se saw dis afore," she muttered.

Two dripping figures met on the threshold of the Bostwick homestead.

"Dannel," said one, "huccum yo' tuh git so wet?"

"Well, Rachel," replied the other, "jes' ez I was a-comin' tuh de bridge, I seen a bullfrog a-settin' on de bank a-winkin' at me, an' knowin' yo' was partial tuh frogs' legs I struv' tuh git him fuh yo' brek'fus', honey, an' so doin' fell intuh de watah. Ain't yo' kinder damp yo'seff, Rachel?'

"Dannel," she replied solemnly, "ez I was a-strollin' by de stream in de moonlight, I seen yo' 'cordeen in de watah, an' in tryin' tuh feesh it out I done got in up tuh meh neck. Dat's all, Dannel."

The following Sunday Brother Brice preached his famous sermon on "Con'imence," taking for a general text the power of the righteous to cast out devils. Mrs. Bostwick, who was present, was observed to sniff scornfully several times, and finally left the church.

Next morning when she prepared to go and do the washing at the big house, Daniel, much to his inward satisfaction, saw her array herself again in the gown of many pockets. She patted the one lined with rubber affectionately.

"I'se g'wine tuh fotch yo' home sumpin' nice fuh yo' suppah, honey," she remarked.