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Smith, Jewell Ellen, 1915-1998

"Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt"

But I say to you: graceful movements can
lead you down the road to damnation! My good people, both
brethren and sistern, as surely as I stand here in this pulpit
today, and as surely as my name is Josiah B. Milligan, dancing is
a sin of the first water! It is nothing in God's world but
artificial arm and leg crossing, invented by Old Split-Foot
himself!"
"Boys, boys! Y'all oughtn't say things to confuse your little
cousin. Hon, don't you worry. Sins change. Maybe when you get big
enough to really dance, it will be a fine thing to do. Back when
I was a young girl, it was a sin to read a novel. I don't know,
though, whether I ought to mention that, 'specially since your
mama and I read one once!"
"What about some more music?" Jim-Bo asked.
"No, it's late. Bandershanks, we've got to get you off to
bed. Thank the musicians and this self-appointed 'hat man' for a
wonderful concert!"
"Y'all, much obliged for the concert."
Jim-Bo just grinned at me. Then he put one hand behind his
back and bowed low. "The pleasure was all ours, Lady
Bandershanks!"
Saturday when I got home, Shoogie was waiting for me.


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