Morris tribune., 1881-03-24
ROStick'S Heirloom.

John Bostick is man of family, and it
consists of one wife, three children and
yellow rocking chair, which once belonged
to his grandfather, and Old Line Wing,
who, with roam mule and blue wagon,
made fortune peddling eyesalve in Ark.
The chair had been the property of three
successive Bosticks and when John Bos-
tick in turn fell heir to it, he cared for it as
tenderly as if it was one of his offspring.
The old chair has full swing of ten feet,
and its motion is delightfully."- easy, but it
possesses one fault, and that is the two
front legs are loose in the rockers, and
sometimes they will fly out when the chair
is on a downward tilt and throw its con-
tents, irrespective of age or sex. further
than buckirg horse. Miss Harper, who
is circulator of scandal, as well as an old
maid, called on Mrs. Bostick a short time
ago, an seating herself in the chair, ex-
claimed, as she began rocking:
"Oh! Mrs. Bostick, just dropped in to
see if you had heard anything of that dread
full report about Ella Snodgrass. They say
that Mr.. FltZsimmOns arm was seen around
her waist, and but the story was cut
short by crash, and the next moment the
air Fas rent with shrek and pair of red
hose, as Miss Harper executed back SOM
ersault and landed violently on the floor
amid chaotic mass of crinoline. Bostick
heard the shrek, and dashing into the par
or saw couple of attenuated limbs waving
franti cally in the air.
Not comprehending the true state of af-
fairs he beat hasty retreat and left his
wife to meet the emergency as best she
could. He had faced the glistening bayo-
net without tremor, but an old maid with
fits was more than he could stand.
John, said his wife, after Miss Harper
had revived and taken her leave, you
must have the old rocking chair repaired
because I'm always afraid when any one
comes to see me that they will sit in it and
get hurt. Why, last week Deacon Potter
called on me and about the time he was
giving me great deal of spiritual comfort
the old rocking chair flew up and pitched
him through the hearth screen"
Nancy" said Bostick. thoughtfully,
that old chair was made in my grandfath-
ers' days, when people were good and hon.
isn't square it's going to repudiate the load
every time. Now. Deacon Potter may be a
good man, but for all of that it doesn't look
we'll for him to begin counting old Mrs.
Dus Hnberry before her husband has been
dead month. I guess, Nancy. it is better
to let the old rocking chair remain as it is.
1t will be a kind of safeguard when I'm
away
For moment his wife was absorbed in
deep thought, and then her face frightened
and she inquired meekly: John, you re-
member Mrs. Beedll, who is always caring
for the orphans, and who nursed you when
you we're sick?"
ssWhv certainly do
''She is a very good old lady, isn't she?"
eyes. Nancy, there isn't better old lady
in louisiana than Mrs. Be dell"
"Well, she came to see me about the
church fair yesterday, and seating herself
in the old chair rocked away as nicely as
you please.
"Aha!' chuckled Bostick, 'the chair
knew that she was good, solid, old soul,
and behaved itself accordingly"
John, said his wife triumphantly, as
she walked across the parlor and pushed
aside sofa, this is where her head hit, -
and she pointed to hole in the plastering,
which looked as if it had heen struck with
ten pound solid shot. Bostick scratched
his head, and gazed at the spot in silence,
finally informing his wife that perhaps it
would be best after all to have the old chair
mended.