The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-07-22
RIGHTS @a#
JUST AFTER THE WAR.
A STORY OF TEIE SOUTH
Weekly Sentinel by Eleanor d. Jones, NeU Brn ~ c.
Author of Ms Lihaejohn."

| DOarQerS. -
If mother notices it, she don't say
anything, SO I'm left in peace.
Things go on in this way until the
last of March mother and Aunt
Priscilla then go over to hear Mr..
| Scroggs preach, and visit friend of
mothers who has invited them; they
left yesterday, Thursday, and won't
be back until Monday. Of course
Spencer was taken, which is the case
if mother goes to the kitchen.
Belle has gone on visit of two
weeks, to E., a town twenty miles
away. Jack, Leonard, and Oscar
went this afternoon out to the New
comes to stay until Sunday afternoon.
I'm left behind to keep house fer
father, Archie, and Jamie. l like the
responsibility; it makes me feel grown
Ada comes to stay all night with me,
and we have an independent time
Saturday morning Hetty and I
have regular cleaning spree. After
dinner, think I'll be extra smart, so
take out mothers darning basket,
and go to work in dead earnest.
1t starts me to thinking such a
pile of stockings and socks, owned by
such a needless set, who never think,
when they're romping and having fun
ON Saturdays, of the patient mother,
darning away, to keep the boys in
order, toiling until the Sabbath comes
to stop the work.
l feel as if could never do enough
for mother, for some of my stockings,
some I've neglected to darn, are stow
ed away in this basket also, as we'll as
those belonging to the thoughtless
boys.
At half past three, there comes a
quick, sharp knock on the front door.
1t makes me think of Aunt Priscilla's
performance, but / am looking right
trim to-day, so 1 run to see who it is
find carriage at the gate, Joel, Jack,
Leonard and a negro man, who has
Oscar in his arms, standing on the
steps. Of course I think Oscar is dead
he looks SO very white, and his eyes
are shut. They carry him up stairs,
and l have him put on my bed, be-
cause their room is in the garnet. Jack
slips off after the doctor while Leo
nard kneels down by the bed, and
talks to his brother very quietly.
Then Joel takes me out side, and ex-
plains that Oscar fell, while climbing,
and seemed SO badly hurt, he felt It
was better to bring him in, where
doctor could be in constant attend
ance. .-...
Joel stayed by him, and Peggy came
up, and cheered him wonderfully she
is regular doctor anyhow, and oh
what relief to have woman's face
around sick bed, even if it is one,
darker then our own.
So when DIR. Moore comes he finds
the patient in no danger, slightly in
jured about the hip, but not serious
ly. He gives Peggy and me some di-
rections, says he will come again in
the morning, and leaves us all looking
much brighter.
Joel says he will stay all night to
see how he is in the morning, so we
have right large household.
It's no time now to keep up quarels,
and Leonard looks so miserable, if
wanted MIN to be unhappy, I've had
my revenge.
forgot everything except that
Oscar is sick, give orders, and see them
done, talk to Leonard and comfort
him about Oscar, untiljhe looks bright.
er and seems to think can cure him,
for he hangs around me like / was
mother, reckon it is because happen
to be her representative now.
Presently Oscar goes to sleep, and 1
leave Joel and Leonard to watch him,
and go to fix about supper. Back
wards and forwards tramp, all the
afternoon, until / am almost worn
out.
Father and the boys come in at
night, and are shocked to hear of Os-
cars accident. Jack had been hunt
ing father, but he'd gone two. miles
IN the country.
Our supper is q very quiet one, for
everyone seems depressed, and Pm
glad when its over.
Peggy and / are to take charge OF
Oscar during the night, that is, Peggy
is to take charge, and I'm to wait on
her if she wants me- Joel insists upon
sitting up down stairs, SO if necessary
to go for the doctor. Father opposes
it, but Joel in that quier way Of his,
over-rules him as he does everybody.
Leonard wants to sit up too, but
father and Joel won't let him so at ten
s!,ev all retire.
At eleven I steal down to see about
joe, and fiud him snoozing before
nice fire, which Peggy replenishe1 be-
fore going upstairs, looking quite COM
irritable. | can't help. thinking what
a pity Belle hadn't been the proper
u,.e for joel, and could have appreci-
.ssed his goodness. poke the fire, turn
down the lamp, and go out. As go