St. Landry democrat., 1881-08-27

was Sldu Oh II.
81 don't see where he can be them
she murmured, after awhile. He
might have sent us word If he was not
gong. You'll acknowledge it was hui
initiating for us to sit and wait fol
him."
Il don't see why
YOU'RE such child" she said, pet
tishlv.
- If it is childish to be unreasonable
but there l stopped. 1 saw Jennie S
face was twitching, and her color came
and went. She was always high-strunc,
swift and spirited, and tonight she
seemed touchy and unnerved. / felt
sorry for her, and thought we would
talk about something else.
will explain now what had detained
John. We learned about it in good
time. There was an Irish family living
a little way from his fathers house.
They were always in trouble, and al
ways keeping the neighbors in trouble.
That night, just as John was ready to
start for meeting, his mother came to
his door looking quite distressed.
''John," she said,' maggie Nc
Creepy and her children are in the kitch-
en-, and Peter has come home drunk
again.
''Is he very bad9' said John, who
knew his neighbor of old.
Eyes. Oh, John. he has given her
a terrible black eye! She and the chill
dren just fled for their lives, and they're
crying and wailing so that could hard
ly get their story out of them.''
"Well, what can we do?''
"Why, somebody has gotto go down,
| you know, John He was as wild as a
mailman. They left him crashing the
dishes upon the floor and putting the
bed-clothes and furniture into the fire.
Maggie is afraid he set the house afire,
and he's in q fair way to do it, you
know, and burn himself up in it,
1.-The best thing he could do,' NUT
tered John
You muslin say so, you know, dear.
| hate to have YOU 60 down there, but
it's dreadful to think of the poor, raving
creature just left to himself
Where are the others?' said John.
"Why Bess and Mark have gone to
the fair in Barton There's only Buell.
at home, and he's hardly old enough to
go down there alone'
"No," said John, throwing off his
coat. II suppose I've got to 60 with
HIM. Tell him to get a rope. Wen
have to tie the wretch and then send
for the Sheriff.
Its dreadful YOU should have to go.
dear" said his mother, pityingly, land
just when you are all ready for meet
ing. The girls will be waiting for you,
too. But you'll feel sorry enough for
Maggie, poor thing, when you see her.
And there S no time to be lost. You
can hear Peter cursing and throwing
things clear up to our Kitchen door,
As John and Buell. were ready to
start Maggie said: "Shure, sir, if We
see me COW in the road, wud We phase
drive her back forninst ye? Peter left
the gate open when he come in, and l
was that distracted l didn't see the
craytur till she was gone. The byes
will be havin her in the pound in
giffy, and sorra a clint is Peter after
lawn me to get her out again.
John did not see the COW. She was
like the rest OF the McCreerys, unex-
pected in her movements. But Jennie
and | saw her, grazing along the road
side, with her head turned the other
way from home. | had presentiment
of mischief the moment caught sight
of her. half stopped, saying: s'There's
Peter McCreery's cow2 How could
they let her get out9 Now if the boys
put her in the pound they never can
raise fifty cents to get her out. I've a
great mind to drive her back little
ways, Jennie, just to get her headed to-
ward home"
But Jennie was too impatient.
. Please don't stop, Phoebe" she said
/" It's not your place to do it. and we're
so late already
1t was so late that all the pews on
the girls side of the choir gallery were
filled, except the two farthest back.
By going to the head of one of these |
could be among the altos, and Jennie,
by going to the head of the other,
could be among the sopranos, while at
the same time we could sit together |
was glad to be near her that night, and
[ knew she was glad to have me, she
was so nervous. l hoped the singing
would quiet her, and SO it did for lit
5le Whlle. but she cOuld not get quite
put of her futter. Proud as she was
she could not help casting glance,
now and then, toward the door, and
she would give little
ugh. She was uneasy every minute
Ill he came.
And oh, dear! she was a good deal
more uneasy atterward For-will you
believe it?-who should walk in that
loor beside John but Jessie Sears!
She did look pretty that night.
There was no denying her good looks
wen when you d lost every bit of faith
n her. Tonight she wore a new pink
muslin dress a thin, feecy white
hawl was round her shoulders, and
me point of it was laid over the brown
,utfs on her head, but not far enough