The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-04-25

II
Peaks kitchen also. sa d to themselve
that she might be lonely that evenin!
without anybody to speak to, and the!
would step over and hear the news
They met at the door. each with shaw
over her head and her knitting-w work il
her hands-and were welcomed mos
| heartily.
Mrs. West, who was very fond o
talking, began at once to describe hel
experiences Thanksgiving morning
when she found that the cats had sto. er
into the pantry during the night, ano
mangled the turkey so that it was only
tit to be thrown away. 1t was too late
to get another. except rack of bones
fit only for lantern, that had been lef,
at Fales' store.
"l didn't know what in the world
would do. There was all the folks
coming; his sister and all the child n,
and my brother and his wife. and we
three at home are middlin' hearsy-but
there; we made out with the chicken.
pie and a spare rib put right in. 1t SO
happened had one that was thawed.
An took those cats and soused 'em
well in tub O. water. afterTd give 'em
as good beating as knew how. And
after while they stole in half froze.
and set by the stove meek as Moses with
their paws tucked underneath EN-. and
when I'd look at 'em they d new at me
both together 'thout making q sound.
For all l was so worked up, had to
laugh"
They all laughed again at the cats,
while Mrs. Peak acknowledged that she
had Just been thinking of getting a
kitten, but such accounts as this were
acknowledgement Mrs. West promptly
offered her own virtuous pussies, which
amused the little company very much.
"You haven't told us yet whether you
heard anything over at Pcteresham, >"
said Mrs. Rogers. the other guest, at
which Mrs. Peaks face grew long.
II had beautiful visit with Martha"
she answered, "but I've been feeling
anxious to hear again from old Mr..
Daniel johnson. Jesse's wife came ia
and said he seemed very feeble. He
didn't make no e 'ort to get out to
meetin' Thanksgivin' Day, and Martha
said she'd noticed he looked pale and
kind O. wizened up two or three weeks
ago"
Il suppose the cold weather pinched
him up" suggested Mrs. West. "Well,
he'll be great loss"
81 heard from him direct this
continued Mrs. Peak,
mourn ully. 81 called to Jesse's
oldest boy as he went by, and he said
his grand'ther wasn't any better. l
asked if he was a-bed. and he said
no. He's got sight of resolution; l
wonder if he didn't take his
bed at all"
81 don't see how they'll pay their
minister the salary they give him now,
when they lose Mr.. Johnson" said Mrs.
Rogers. Hes always ready to give,
and he does what he can for his folks
shouldn't wonder if he hadn't but a
little property left, after all he's had to
do. and being out O bus mess for some
years now"
Hes kept his money a-movin'."
observed Mrs. West. "There amt no
such business man about here, but
there's been plenty O. hands reached
out to take what they could get Well,
tbs all over now: he won't last a great
while if he's as feeble as you say. His
father went 'ust the sane way, only
kept the house a week, and his bed the
last day."
Il should have gone right over to
see him myself yesterday" said the
hostess, ''but it kept raining steady all
lay, same's it did here, suppose"
They'll be likely to have his funeral
from the meet ng-hous &c, won't they?"
asked Mrs. Rogers. solemnly; but no.
oody could answer her question.
Next day being Sunday. and most of
The congregation com ng from the scat
tered farms, there was the usual ex-
change of greetings. and inquir es for
news. And in this wa the sad story
Of Mr.. Johnson's last illness was spread
lar and wide before nj hit. And in pass
ng from one to another, the report be-
came every hour more serious. At last
some one ven ured to say that. judging
from what she had Just heard. the poor
man could not now e living. And he
is ener felt justified in announcing that
Mrs. Smith thought there was No doubt
hat he was dead.
Late on sunday night Mrs. West
brought the news to Mrs. Peak.
He heard it from some one who
stopped at Asa Fale's, but there weren't
10 particulars and Mrs. Peak said
me had no idea Mr.. johnson would 60
so soon. 1t was great shock to her.
lis illness.
death is always sudden at the last
'aid Mrs. West. Il suppose you Will
70 over 10 the funeral?-it ems pity
on should have come home Saturday,
Ion it?"
81 shall get ready to 90 by the first
rain answered the old lady, or inc
little. Il declare wish l d gone there
before l come away. 1t amt that |
hink of the expense of going to Peter
sham twice. for that's nothing at such
. time as this, but l can't feel recon-
,iled to not seeing him aga'n. He was
1 most amiable Christian man: there
Won be many drv e es in Petersham
he day he's uried. I've known him
syer since I've known anybody.
So by the earliest train next day Mrs.
Peak went back to retersham. Her ,
wore solemn expression
She felt herself TO be one of the chief
nourners, though her place in the pro-
,ession would probably not be TAR from
he least afflicted.
As she stepped down from the car, she
pulled very long face. and was sur
,rised to see no signs of tie calamity
which had befalAn the village. She
neditated upon the way the world
moves on though is best men die-and
ook her way, to save time. through the
Jack streets to her niece Martha,s.
SWELL. Martina she said, sadly,
I'm sure l dnt think l should be !
Jack again so soon when l let you.
When 20 they bury?"
"Who?" asked Martha, much