Stars in My Crown Page #2

Boy, possess yourself.

Leave Mr. Frog be.

He ain't gonna help you catch no fish.

Oh, they ain't biting today.

Maybe they ain't, and maybe they is,

But I just seen a big old catfish

Come sneaking this way.

I know just what he's thinking.

He's thinking,

"Uh, that old man,

he's too smart for me,

"But that boy, he's so

taken up with Mr. Frog,

I'm gonna grab his dough

ball and just scat away. "

Now, how'd you know

he was thinking that?

I been on close terms with catfish

Ever since I was big enough

To scratch myself with my left hand.

If I don't know what

they's thinking, who does?

Where'd he go to?

He didn't say. Oh, there he is now!

Get out the way.

Oh, that's a big one.

Stand back, now, stand back.

Well, bang my time.

I done spake in pride,

And the lord had his

ear out and heard me.

Go on home. Your mammy wants you.

Whoa, whoa.

Famous, I'd like to talk to you.

Howdy, Mr. Backett.

Hot.

Yes, sir.

Famous, got some good news for you.

You know that mica

vein I've been working

On my 60 acres over the

hill from your place?

And making a mighty good

thing out of it, too.

Well, that vein has run

smack-Dab into your property line.

Found out about it

first thing this morning.

Now, what do you say to that?

Well, sir, I don't know.

I don't see it's anything to do with me.

Why, it's your property, ain't it?

It ain't my property.

If I don't get title to that land,

I'll have to close down the mine.

So, here I am with a little proposition.

60 cents an acre, cash in hand,

Or you can take it out

in credit at the store.

Done?

Sell my land?

That's the ticket.

Mmm. Well, sir, thanks all the same,

But I been making out on that

place a sight of years now.

Yes, but that isn't what I asked you.

Yes, sir. What I mean is that...

Well, I... I reckon I'm just

too old to make a change.

Not enough money for you, huh?

Sir?

Now, no hard feelings.

Mind you, I like a sharp trader,

I always did. Only

wished I was one myself.

I'll give you 80 cents an acre,

Provided you take out half

in credit at the store.

Well, sir...

80 cents an acre, that's 80 times 20.

That's $16, famous, more

money than you ever seen.

Mr. Backett, let me ask you something.

I got this here suit

of overalls, ain't I?

Yeah.

I got a long-Tailed coat for sundays.

Uh-Huh.

A house, got a bed,

And I gets my vittles

3 times every god's day, don't I?

Yeah.

Mr. Backett, what does I want with $16?

Now, you look here.

The boys I've got working for me

Ain't gonna blame me

When the mica mining has to stop

And their good wages along with it.

It ain't me they'll be throwing down on

When their women and

children has to do without.

No, sir,

I wouldn't want such as

that on my conscience.

Think it over, famous.

Yes, sir.

Giddap.

Watch your pole, boy!

Get a hold of it! Get a

hold before he takes it away!

Hook him out of there!

Pull 'im! Pull 'im!

That's right. Look at that!

That's a cat.

Catch his mouth and watch his fins.

If he pinch you, he'll poison you.

Your hand will swell up

like a puff adder bit you.

Get away from there, belle!

That's a nice one.

Well, well, many happy

returns to the day, son.

Howdy, famous.

Howdy, Parson.

Just met Lon Backett driving off

Looking mad enough to bite himself.

Is that true what I been hearing

About that mica vein of his going

over to your side of the fence?

I reckon it's true, right enough.

People are telling it

like it's a big joke.

Myself, I don't think it's so funny.

I don't want to make no

trouble for nobody, Parson,

But that's my place.

I ain't never had no other.

What's going to happen to me

If I has to sell my land?

Uncle famous doesn't have

to sell, does he, Parson?

You're a free man, famous.

That's right, uncle

famous, 'cause the law says.

Just saying a good

thing don't make it so.

Lon Backett puts me in mind

Of an old foxhound I used to have

Name of governor Dobbs.

Old gov had a voice like a $12 bugle,

And he loved to use it.

Seemed like he just

wasn't happy enough to live

Unless he could tell

everybody what to do.

Got to where every time I

turned him loose in the pack,

He'd start giving tongue

Whether he picked up the scent or not,

Just to prove he was top dog.

Ha ha ha!

Some folks are like hounds

in that respect, I reckon.

Good story.

Don't rush me.

Trouble was, when it come to trailing,

Ol' gov never did know a

buck rabbit from a bumblebee.

You know what that fool dog did?

He led the whole pack plumb

into a flock of skunks.

Ah, I guess Lon Backett

will have to kick up

An almighty big stink

before he learns his lesson.

You ready to go, john?

I thought we'd stop by the

Isbell place on the way home.

Come again soon.

We'll sure do that.

Hey!

Josh!

I guess the Parson and I

Had been out to the Isbell

place a hundred times.

The Parson used to say

The Isbell farm was

everything a farm should be.

Hey, Jed.

Jed!

Jed!

My!

What's more,

he acted like he thought

Jed Isbell himself was

everything a man should be...

anyway, almost everything.

Well, now! Climb down!

Get a drink of the best

well water in the county!

How's that game leg of yours?

Oh, just tol'able, J.D., just tol'able.

A lot of folks thought

Jed Isbell was a strange

friend for a preacher to have,

But then, the Parson and

Jed had fought side by side

From fort Donelson to missionary ridge.

The war had welded bonds that

nothing, it seemed, could break.

How you been there, J.D.?

Fine, fine.

Guess you ain't heard the news.

Hey, Jed!

Jed, you've got enough tow-Headed sons

To start a swedish sunday school.

Howdy, Parson.

What was your news?

Oh, nothing special, I just

bought 40 acres of bottom land

From the widow Matthias, that's all.

More land?

Yes, the boys here sort

of talked me into it.

I guess they felt that I

wasn't keeping 'em busy enough.

Ohh! Ha ha ha!

It was a good buy, prime soil.

I figure we'll get a bale

an acre off of that land.

You'll do it, all right.

You got the lord on your side.

Don't you know that by now?

Well, now let me see, Parson.

I don't remember taking

on any extra hands lately.

Just me and the missis and the boys

And two good mules named Sam and Ike.

I think we'll get along

Without any help from the lord.

Well, folks can get

along without eyes, too,

But they can't see.

Come on, john.

You boys ought to take better

care of this old Billy goat...

keep him out of fights he can't win.

See you, Parson, good-Bye, now.

Ow!

How are you, Sarah?

Just fine as silk, thank you, Parson.

My, don't they grow!

They sure do.

These are for Harriet.

Thanks.

And if you're going by Harris' place,

I'd be obliged if you

leave this soup for old doc.

Tell Bessie just to add water.

Can you remember that?

Remember that, john.

When you coming to church, Jed?

Just as soon as you get god to

plow that bottom land for me.

Shame.

I'll see what I can do.

Ha ha ha!

Get along, josh!

What's the matter, chloroform?

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