Oblique Questions

Ark. Travellen A dark cloud hung ia the west th wind roared in the distancc and th eaves trenabled in that settlod stiMnes which precedes a storm, as a horseniai dashed up to the fence surrounding a small cabin the great pinewoods of Ar kansas. "Howaro you, my friend?" called the rider. "Ain't 'zackly yo' friend," said the niau who sat in the doorway greasinohis shoes, '"case I never seed yo' aforo; but l'm so so, how is it with yo'self?"' "Xamabout tobe overtaken bv ' a cyclone, and I want shelter " urLLW "Peatod fte squatter. M=uctjiim tnis country some time nn i noTr wi ono jrii. 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. teller caught him in a bear trap." "My kind sir, you misunderstand ie e - "Ain't a kind sir. Daddy-in lawsays 1 m the nist in ihe pot." "I've got co time to fooi-" "Oh, yes, act natehul." "What did yon say?" "Saidmake yo'sef easy," and dipping up :i „andful of melted tallow he spread ït orer his shoes. "There'.s a terrible storm Up and I don' i want to get wet." "'Pears ike you do." "I want you to give me shelter " "Ain't nary'un. Had a shelter whar Jake hung his terbacker, but I tuk it downan kivered tht beans with the Doards to keep the f rost offen 'em. "I see there's no Juse in fooling with you, said the stranger, when the rain drops began to fall. "Uncler vour roof l coulcl remaiu dry, but " "Bet yo'rd be dry, fur 1 ain't had a drap to drink in a week." "How far is it to the Dext town?" "ín what direction?" "This vvay," pointing. "It'R furder den it is the other wav " "Well, how far is it?" "Dinged if I know. In late years this land s got into the habit of streachin', so th.at a man can'l, teil half the tim whar' he is." "Come, ril get wet." "That's all right, butlreckonl won't oome. "I only ask you to let ine stayin vour house Uil tho rain is over." "How can you stay in my house when you ain't in thar? "Yo"'1' the h'SSest fool I ever saw." . Bleeged to you f er the compliment. " 'May i go into your house and stay there until the rain is over?" "Yes sir; jes' git down an' make y sef at home. Ef yo' had axed me that question at fust, yo' coulder been in war aii me time. VVay with yo' fellers. Ax a thousan' questions all aroun' a p int, an' never hit the spot. Have a sei,t, whilo I soufflé an' eit a bite to ent fer yo'. Wife's gone from home, but I reckon we kep mako out. Don't mind that dog, fer he can't bite. So old his teeth's all out. Don' git skoered: he'll only pinch a little.