Lily

by Hugh Wiley

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 ...enough for this news to hit the target. "Looks like a quick-learnin' boy, Sledge. Mebbe I betteh bring him oveh heah to-night an' git him gentle an' wise befo' he 'vestigates 'roun' an' finds dat inch pipe whut runs f'm de 'lasses tanks to yo' 'stillery room downstairs. Whut you think?" "You is right, Demmy. Betteh bring him an' show him de sights, --bring 'em befo' dey comes prowlin' is my motto. Whut kind is dis boy?" "Memphis nigger. Name Wildcat. Fit in de war, but 'ceptin' fo' dat he seems bright." "Fetch him heah at nine o'clock." "Us comes at nine. An' Sledge, --mebbe you betteh have some grub an' a ra'r of de homemade hootch waitin' to say howdy-doo. Boy ain't et lately an' he gits fren'ly when de rations is donated." "Rations is comin' up. An' all de likker he kin handle." The moonshining host stripped a banknote from his roll. "Heah, Demmy, --lend him dis five dollah bill so he kin take a bite at de relief c'mittee wid de square teeth. Dat's all right, --dem fust-aid cubes pays me back. Likely be a big game to-night. Big gang comin', --'nidation night fo' de colored Damons an' dey gin'ally gits heah at ten o'clock fo' de final cer'monies. See you an' dis Wilecat boy at nine o'clock. Sez goodnight 'till dat time." Demmy slid out into the big room and from there into the night which veiled his journey to the stockade fence. He wriggled through the fence via the loose board route and walked silently to his post of duty. He entered the tankhouse in which three incandescents had bloomed during his absence. Then he became aware of a series of strange noises originating above him. The disturbance sounded to his quickened ears like a vocal omelet of groans and bleats and gurgles. He hesitate...

50 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922