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Smith, Jewell Ellen, 1915-1998

"Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt"

It's a pity
the rain washed out his tracks. All a-body can see is where we've
been trompin' this mornin' and all them holes Uncle Hiram punched
in the ground with his peg leg."
Every one of the men, except Papa and Doctor Elton, followed
Mister Wes down toward the horse lot. Some of them stopped at the
wagon shelter to look at Mister Ward's automobile again. The
others went on down the lane.
"I've got to get on back," the doctor was saying. "There's
plenty of sickness this time of year, and folks will be calling
for me. In winter I'm a popular man, you know. An old, tired,
popular man! Ah, Jodie, I got called out at midnight last night,
and I haven't seen my pillow since."
They stopped at the yard gate. As the doctor unhooked the
latch he turned and looked straight at Papa.
"Jodie, I just hope the Good Lord will forgive me for times
when I meddle in His affairs."
"You don't meddle."
"Sometimes, it's not what you do, Jodie. It's the way you say
a thing, or don't, that changes matters. I'm telling you, this
whole business worries me.


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