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Smith, Jewell Ellen, 1915-1998

"Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt"

"
"It's all right, Mister Wes."
"The county coroner sent word by Mister Jodie that we don't
have to have no reg'lar inquest 'less we figger somebody shot
Ward. 'Course we don't rigger nothin' like that, but when
somebody dies under odd circumstances, we sorta have to look into
it."
"Yes, sir."
The baby fretted and whimpered, and I just knew if Mister Wes
didn't quit talking so loud, he was going to wake up and cry.
Miss Ophelia kept rocking her chair real easy, and he drifted
back to sleep. Miss Lida Belle leaned over to Mrs. Lee and said
something about seeing to the cooking.
They both got up then and went into the kitchen.
Mister Wes kept on twisting his hat and talking to Miss
Ophelia. He asked a lot of strange questions. She said, "Yes,
sir" to some, "No, sir" to others. I couldn't tell if she knew
just what he was talking about or not. I surely didn't.
"Miss Ophelia, if you wouldn't mind, just tell us what
happened Sunday."
"There ain't much to tell, Mister Wes. Ward, he s'prised me!
He slipped home Sunday morning-first time I'd seen him since
Christmas.


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