This cheered him greatly.
“O Jud—Jud—if I marry a grass-widder whut—whut'll I be then?”
“Why? a grasshopper, sure,” said Travis.
They all roared. Then Jud winked at Travis and Travis winked at the others. Then they sat around a table, all winking except poor Joe, who continued to weep at the thought of being a grasshopper. He did not quite understand how it was, but he knew that in some way he was to be changed into a grasshopper, with long green wings and legs to match.
“Gentlemen,” said Jud seriously—“it is our duty to help out po' Joe. Now, Joe, we've arranged it for you to marry Miss Kate Galloway—the grass-widder.”
“Not Miss Kate,” said Travis with becoming seriousness.
“Why not her, Mr. Travis?” asked Jud, winking.
“Because his children will be Katydids,” said Travis.
This brought on thundering roars of laughter and drinks all around. Only Joe wept—wept to think his children would be katydids.
“Now, Joe, it's this way. I've talked it all over and arranged it. That's what we've met for to-night—ain't it, gents?” said Jud.