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The book "Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt!" is a nostalgic and introspective narrative that follows the life of an elderly woman as she reflects on her childhood in Arkansas. The story jumps back and forth between the narrator's present and past, exploring themes of nostalgia, loneliness, and disconnection from the world. The narrator's childhood is marked by simple and slow-paced life, but also by encounters with a troublesome neighbor, Mister Ward, who is involved in various conflicts and violent confrontations with the narrator's family. Throughout the book, the narrator recounts various events, including a Protracted Meeting, a visit from a stranger with an automobile, and a violent confrontation between her father and Mister Ward. The narrator also experiences personal growth and learns valuable lessons from her family and community, particularly from her Aunt Vic, who teaches her about the importance of observation and appreciation of nature. As the story unfolds, the narrator faces challenges and dangers, including being kidnapped by Mister Ward and witnessing a violent scene. The book ultimately builds towards a dramatic conclusion, in which Mister Ward's death is investigated, and the truth about his murder is revealed. The narrator's family and community come together to support each other and seek justice, and the narrator reflects on the significance of the events that unfolded in her childhood. The book ends with the narrator, now an old woman, looking back on her life and the events that shaped her, as she is wheeled out of a church, symbolizing the passing of time and the power of reflection and memory.
This chapter appears to be an introduction to an eBook, providing information about its usage rights, copyright, and publication details. The eBook, titled "Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt!", is made available by Project Gutenberg and can be used freely in many parts of the world, with some restrictions. The chapter also includes details about the author, release date, and language of the eBook, as well as information on how to obtain copies of the original work. Additionally, it notes that all Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
The narrator, an elderly woman, attends a church service, where she reflects on her life and feels a sense of disconnection from the world around her. She thinks back to her childhood in Arkansas, remembering the simple and slow-paced life she lived. She recalls a particular incident from her childhood, where she overheard a conversation between her neighbor, Mister Ward, and his wife, Miss Ophelia, about Mister Ward's plan to make moonshine. The narrator remembers feeling scared and threatened by Mister Ward's words, and how her parents had to intervene to protect her. The story jumps back and forth between the narrator's present and past, highlighting her feelings of nostalgia, loneliness, and disconnection from the world.
The narrator spends a peaceful morning making sauerkraut with her family and their helpers, Doanie and Huldie, and playing with her friend Shoogie. However, the tranquility is disrupted when Shoogie and the narrator get into trouble for pretending to dip snuff, leading to a comical and chaotic scene. Later, the narrator accompanies her father to his store, where they encounter a customer named Ned Roberts, who is concerned about his situation with Mister Ward, his landlord. Mister Ward appears, drunk and aggressive, and a violent confrontation ensues with the narrator's father. The narrator intervenes by splashing coal oil on Mister Ward, momentarily blinding him, and her father manages to fend him off. The chapter ends with Mister Ward threatening the narrator and her family, leaving them shaken and worried about potential repercussions.
The narrator attends a Protracted Meeting, a two-week church event, where she struggles to sit still and listen to the sermons. Meanwhile, her family is abuzz with excitement as a stranger, Mister Hicks, arrives in town with a Chevrolet automobile, causing a stir among the locals. The narrator's brother, Wiley, gets to ride in the car and is thrilled. The family discusses the automobile and its implications, including the possibility of Ward Lawson, a troublesome neighbor, buying one. The narrator's father, Jodie, is skeptical of Ward's intentions and worries about his unpaid debts. The chapter ends with the family gathering for supper, discussing the events of the day, and Grandpa Thad sharing his thoughts on the automobile and the feud between the Williamses and the Parkers.
The chapter begins with the narrator wanting to attend school, but being told she's not old enough. Her friend Shoogie has to attend a different school, leaving the narrator to play alone. The narrator's father, Papa, prepares to go to town to buy winter goods, and the family later discovers that Papa's store is on fire. They rush to the scene, where they find a huge blaze engulfing the store. Papa suspects arson and believes Mister Ward, a troublesome neighbor, may be responsible. The family watches as the fire destroys the store, and Papa goes to investigate. The chapter then shifts to the news of the Armistice being signed, ending the war, and the family's celebration. The narrator's brothers, Clyde and Walker, may be coming home from the war, and the family prepares for their return. Meanwhile, Papa is concerned about Mister Ward's activities, including the suspicion that he has a still and is making moonshine. The chapter ends with Papa discussing the situation with Mama and deciding not to report Mister Ward to the law just yet, due to concerns about his wife's pregnancy and the potential consequences of his arrest.
The chapter begins with a group of men, including the doctor and Uncle Dan, visiting the narrator's father to discuss a serious issue that has occurred at Mister Goode's house on Saturday night. The details of the incident are not revealed, but it is clear that it is something bad and that Mister Ward is involved. The men have a solemn discussion, and the doctor suggests that Mister Ward should be removed from the settlement before someone kills him. The narrator and her siblings are sent away, and later, the narrator accompanies her mother to the church for a Missionary Society meeting. At the meeting, the narrator's aunts, Vic and Lovie, discuss various topics, including Mister Ward's behavior and the fact that Lida Belle Bailey cannot read. Aunt Vic reads a letter from their cousin, Cuddin Lucy, and then their father's letter, which he wrote before his death. The letter is a poignant and philosophical reflection on the author's life, his faith, and his impending death from consumption. The letter describes a mystical experience in which the author felt the presence of God's angel of death and was given a sense of peace and acceptance. The chapter ends with the narrator's mother and aunts crying as they finish reading the letter.
The narrator spends a week with her Aunt Vic, where she learns about the importance of observation and appreciation of nature. Aunt Vic's sons, Casey, Hi-Pockets, and Jim-Bo, entertain her with music and stories about dances and fiddling. After returning home, the narrator meets up with her friend Shoogie, and they attempt to roast peanuts in a gully. However, their fun is disrupted by Mister Ward, who appears in an automobile and kidnaps the narrator. She manages to escape and flees through the woods, crossing a creek on a foot log that breaks, causing Mister Ward to fall into the water. The narrator continues to run, eventually stumbling upon a road and finding an old shack to hide in, where she falls asleep surrounded by corn shucks.
The narrator, still recovering from her ordeal with Mister Ward, is found by Uncle Hiram and his wife Mattie, who take her in and care for her. They eventually discover her identity and decide to take her home to her family. Along the way, they encounter the narrator's father, who is searching for her, and they are finally reunited. The family then gathers for a celebratory supper, where they share stories and catch up on each other's lives. The narrator's brothers, Clyde and Walker, who have just returned from the war, bring gifts and stories to share, and the family enjoys a joyful and lively evening together. As the night wears on, the conversation turns to topics such as school, teaching, and marriage, with Grandpa Thad offering words of wisdom on the importance of choosing a good partner in life.
The chapter describes the narrator's excitement and preparations for Christmas Eve. She helps her family string popcorn to decorate the church tree and later gets into a costume to be a "walking Christmas tree" for the evening's program. As the family heads to the church, they discuss the Bailey family's unexpected attendance, and the narrator's father shares a story about a past feud and a tragic event that occurred on a Christmas Eve many years ago. The chapter ends with the narrator and her family settling in at the church, surrounded by the community, and awaiting the start of the Christmas Eve program.
The Christmas Eve celebration at the church continues with the schoolteacher, Mister Shepherd, giving a speech about the importance of traditions and passing down sacred beliefs to the children. Captain Jones then reads from the Bible, telling the story of the birth of Jesus. The school children perform a pageant, including a scene with the Three Wise Men, and the narrator participates by reciting a rhyme and passing out presents. However, the evening is disrupted by the arrival of Mister Ward, who bursts into the church waving a pistol and causing a commotion. The men try to apprehend him, but he escapes in his automobile. Despite the chaos, the church service continues, with the congregation singing a Christmas hymn. The narrator is shaken by the events, but the evening eventually comes to a close with the passing out of gifts and a sense of celebration. The chapter ends with the narrator having a vivid dream about being a great tree, symbolizing the joy and wonder of the Christmas season.
The narrator's family returns home from church on a Sunday, with no one joining them for dinner as they had expected. The narrator's mother decides to take food to the home of Mister Ward's family, as they are struggling. While there, the narrator and her friend Shoogie sneak off to look for hickory nuts and stumble upon Mister Ward, who is armed and appears to be chasing someone. They hide and witness a violent scene, but manage to escape. Later, the narrator's father returns home with news that Mister Ward has been found dead, and he must go to the scene to help with the investigation. It is revealed that Mister Ward's death may have been an accident, but the narrator knows that she and Shoogie had seen him earlier, and she is sworn to secrecy by Shoogie. The community begins to gather to discuss the circumstances of Mister Ward's death, and the narrator's father must navigate the complex web of relationships and alliances in the small town.
The narrator and her mother visit the Lawson house after Mister Ward's death, bringing food and other essentials to support the family. Upon arrival, they find a crowd of people gathered, including the doctor, Mister Wes, and other community members. The narrator's father is helping with the investigation, and the doctor examines Mister Ward's body, finding a squirrel in his pocket. The narrator holds the squirrel and notices it is still warm, which later becomes a significant detail. As the day unfolds, the community comes together to support the Lawson family, and the narrator's mother helps with preparations for Mister Ward's funeral. The narrator and her parents discuss the events of the day, including the possibility that Mister Ward's death may not have been an accident. The narrator's father suggests that the truth about the fox squirrel and Mister Ward's death may never be known, and that sometimes it is best to leave justice to the Good Lord.
The narrator spends the morning at her father's store, playing with paper dolls and helping her brother Wiley with a task. However, the tranquility is disrupted by the arrival of Doctor Elton, who informs the narrator's father that a group of men, led by Old Man Hawk, are coming to arrest Ned, a black man accused of murdering Mister Ward. The narrator's father tries to stall the men and hide Ned, while Doctor Elton attempts to warn him. Meanwhile, the narrator's brother Wiley tries to drive Mister Ward's automobile to rescue Ned. As the men arrive at the store, tensions rise, and Old Man Hawk accuses Ned of murder. However, the narrator reveals a crucial piece of evidence - a shotgun shell that implicates Mister Hawk in the crime. Mister Hawk confesses to the murder, revealing that he killed Mister Ward to protect his mule from the noise of Ward's automobile. The sheriff takes Mister Hawk away, and the narrator's father sends her to school, relieved that the truth has been revealed. The chapter ends with the narrator, now an old woman, reflecting on her childhood and the events that unfolded, as she is wheeled out of a church by Dr. Shirey.