Mis' Tompkins heard Lizzie
scream, and come to see what the matter was. When she see Jinnie she
jist made strides for the wood-shed, and old Jinnie sashayed arter her.
Mis' Tompkins went skitin' through the wood-shed. There wuz a pair of
steps that led up inter the corn barn, and Mis' Tompkins got up there
jist as old Jinnie walked off with the steps. Then old Jinnie took a
walk outside and looked 'round as unconsarned as though nothin' had
happened. Jist about this time one of them tin peddlers come along that
druv one of them red carts with pots, and pans, and kittles, and brooms,
and brushes, and mops hung all over it. He spied old Bill up in the
tree, and sez he, 'What be yar doin', Farmer Tompkins?' 'Pickin'
apples,' said old Bill. He don't waste words on nobody. 'Ain't it rather
early for apples?' inquired the peddler. 'These are some I forgot to
pick last fall,' replied old Bill. 'Anythin' in my line?' said the
peddler. 'Ain't got no money,' said Bill. 'Hain't you got something you
want to trade?' asked the peddler. 'Yes,' said Bill, 'I'll swap that cow
over yonder; you kin have her for fifteen dollars, an' I'll take it all
in trade,' 'Good milker?' said the man.
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