' tole its mudder to
fotch me a tater. I give de chile sum tater an' handed it to its
mudder, an' tole her to put a sugar rag in its mouf with sum Sweet
Flag an' lay it down, an' den I lef to jine de old folks at de house."
"Well, Aunt Barbara, I suppose there was nothing very serious the
matter with the child," said Mrs. Ridley. "Yas dar was, missus, an' I
got dar jus in time. De chile was taken wid de dry gripes. I gin it
sum Cider Berry Juice an' tole its mudder to fotch me a tater. I gin
it sum of de tater an' put a sugar rag in its mouf. Dat chile has done
gone sleep." "Barbara," said Col. R., "I suppose that if you were told
that a child was dead and you were sent for in time you could, with
your Cider Berry Juice, Tater, Sugar Rags, Sweet Flag and your Black
Jack, bring the little sleeper to life. You talk of dry gripes; who
ever heard of such a thing? What are they, and how is a person taken?"
"Massa," said the old woman, "I tole you 'bout dem when dey got hold
ob you. You ses nuffin to nobody, but you goes to de side-bode an' git
sum Cider Berry Juice. Dat ma'e you feel good, an' arter a while you
take sum mo' ob de juice. De baby dus not know dat, so it draws up its
legs an' kicks like wrath. Den I know dat it has de dry gripes." "Aunt
Barbara," said Col. R., "I did not take it in that light before. Your
philosophy is good, and I shall say nothing about the practice of your
profession again. I admit that I take the juice quite often, but it is
not for the dry gripes." "Yas, sir, dat medcin is good for all
diseases, an' I take sum mysef when dar is nuffin de matter wid me."
Mrs. Ridley, who was sitting listening to the conversation, happened
to look toward the road gate, and saw some one coming in. All eyes
were now turned toward the approaching stranger, and all were anxious
to know who it could be. One said that it must be a preacher, another
that it was a book agent. Aunt Barbara put on her specs, took a survey
and said: "I spec dat it is a doctor cummin' here to sell sum of
Godfrey's Cordial for de baby." "You are all wrong," said Col. Ridley,
"it is our good friend, Col. Godfrey." He was right. The Colonel had
advanced near enough for all to see. Col. R. advanced to the yard gate
as Col. Godfrey rode up. A boy was in waiting to take his horse.
"Colonel, we are all glad to see you back again. Dismount and let your
animal be stabled." Having dismounted, Col. R. took him by the hand
and walked in the house. Mr