Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-20
A PENSION AGENT.
Earper's Bazar,

Uncle Moses Bosley put the Jug OF sorghum mo-
iasses and the hickory splnt basket with It's par
ceiS containing side meat, brown sugar and &C Zee
ih'o the wagon, then sat down under the awning
10 "argiiy politics with two or three udder colored
Wiaehs ana po' white min," while his wife,
aunt Bette, finished her trading In the store
"haint you let me haS dis lawn no less n i've
eents3 Pears Ike it's pow'ful high, and amt sho
IL Will wash anyhow" she said, chewing one cor
ner OF 1t 70 try the color.
couldn't think OF selling IL for a cent less It's
the most stylish piece we have In the store, and
you'll never have such another chance TO get a
bargain III you were not such a good customer l
wouldn't think OF letting you have it for less than
seven cents Why, it cost US sixr said the clerk,
ghbly.
The gay-Howered fabric did its cwn silent plead
ing In Aunt Betfies heart, and after some hesita-
tlUn, 10 Keep the clerk from thinking she was too
anxious, she ordered ten yards cut on Then fol-
Io"el long wrangle over the price OF a hat, a
eoarse white straw, made gorgeous with red and
SeloW roses anu green ribbon Patient persist
snce on her part conquered that time, and the
persplrlng and Disguised clerk came down iTom
one dollar and half to one twenty-five. Count
ins out the amount In dimes and nickels. Aunt
Bette notified Uncle Moses that she ready,
her fat face shining with grease perspiratiOn and
happiness, the combined results or the hot July
day and her good barg inS
Win much puffing and blowing Aunt Bette
CLIMBED into the wagon, while Uncle Moses care
iully held her Packages. then clambered 10 beside
homemade chair. lie took the reins, and had
lust gIysn preparatory .'Git up dar. boys; time
In a rather seedy broadcloth SUIT a gorgeous
Eeskte, and a stovepipe hat, came walking up
walSlng-cane his shoes evidently fresh from the
blacSing-orush.
.'GoOd-eyening. sab scuse me, out is you Mis-
"Datsme TO- a fac; but what nout yo' business
bet" said Uncle Moses, tribe suspicious-, some
what divided Ia his opinion as 70 whether the
Il has lettah OF Introduction heah from de
Guoenor OBJ de State-my fr'en Dick allus calls
Eeah, and axed him fur TO tell me ob some good,
plOus, homes man what could trus' TO tell the
M,aah MOSS bosiey ss ~ ara do me sac ns
didn't know you puSSunally, he had often hearn TO
you Tor a good man an gentleman, so he writ
dis lettan, which hopes you Will do me de honah
Oh readin,' sah.'
Uncle Moses took the letter and eyed 1t curiousiy
read at all be inaliy refolded the sheet or paper
put II BACK In the envelope, and thrust II into his
pocket The suns kinder blinded me ter-day,
and reckon III wait Till gifts nome ter read It."
lie said. by way OF explanation.
ITO be shO, san, the sun do af1ec' some people
dat away; but ef you'll pomit me, I'll read it 10
you"
SO the letter was brought forth again, and was
read with such wonderful ease by the stranger
that Uncle Moses and Aunt Bette were rather
awed by his superior education.
The letter was proiuse with the praises Of Mr..
Ezra Jackson, and assured Mr.. Bosley that "any
retention showed TO him would be a great pus-
sunal favor 70 yo fr'en, Richard Oglesby."
MT. jackson then handed the letter back with
such air OF modest self-conscIousness ana grace
as completely captivated Aunt Bette.
"MouL i ak what kin do fur your" said Uncle
Moses, politely, much nattered by the familiar and
coEdescending tone OF the governors letter. and
anxious TO extend any courtesies possible 10 the
bearer OF IL.
"CertIngly. sab, certingly. wants to 20 out to
Beech Ridge with you dis afternoon, bein mo
than wlinn, OF cose, sab, TO pay you hbral fur yo
trouble"
Una amt no springs on de wagon, and nunin
but bundle Oh oats TO set on, but ef you'S a mind
To put up VIII sech rough ridin, you's mo- dan well
come 10 go without no pay" said Moses cordially
MI Jackson declared that, under no circum-
stances, would he bulge step without paying
well den eff you is done 'tarmined 10 pay,
s'pose We make IL quarter" said Uncle Moses,
Il eoulIn't think of imposin' on you that way.
It's Wqn NIFTY cents and isn't a-going TO pay no
less You see, the guberment pays me two hun
all gifts, Mr.. jackson said, munincently
Uncle Moses and Aunt Beltle were deeply i'm.
pressed with the magnlncence OF the stranger IL
fairly took her breath TO think OF two hundred
dollars a month, and they were silent for a mo-
ment, while the wagon started on It's way through
Aunt Bette thought OF her daughter Alvira, for
whom she had bought the dress and hat and who
possession Of her motheriy heart she wondered
II Mr.. jackson was married but was COO wary 70
ask the question openly. "Is yo wife come WI
you 10 Cairo, or Is you done ler her at home 2,
Mr.. jackson laughed lightly. "I hasn't never
found any 90 de fair sec OATS tntapQled INV CON
feeuons yet. Now eff had knowed you beio' You
was Mis- Bosley, tnas no Ieuin' what mout a-nap-
pened," he said. gallantly; and Aunt Bette came
as near olusning as her complexion would permit,
piment 10 his wife's charms.
"Oh, you Is jest a-jokin' now, Mr.. Jackson You
Know you doesn't mean It," Mrs Bosley answered,
Mr.. Jackson insisted upon his sincerity, then
turned the conversation by expressing great ad-
miratien Tor the Mississippi River. which mad come
into view as soon Is they crossed the levee and upon
whose banks The road stretched Out for miles
times covered with Wild SrapeSines and soos-
times adorned with scarlet Irumpet-rOwers grew
by the way-side, and late berries, black and sweet
most beneath the wheels OF the wagon
Mr. Jackson's praises were voluble, but Uncle
Moses assured him that these things were as moth
ing compared with the giant hickory and beech
trees upon his homestead.
you don't say 50, Mistah Bosleyi wishr ef 1t
wouldn't De a-lntru1in' TOO much, that you'd take
me 10 oo'dah! You see, spects TO be in desc
parts week er two any how, as my business Is i'm.
pohtant and can't be hurried. lis pension agent
a-workin' up Dc claims OBJ POI culled men who WAS
In de war, ana has neboer been paid yet TO- surin'
AND i a H 10 dey country; II my membry Is cor
10 PENSION, brudder Bosiey?" said Mr.. Jackson,
Uncle Moses hesitated for moment. but the
love OF money was deep In his soul swell KANT
Zactly say as was wounded, but pears ike nv
rheumalis wouldn't a baen so bad To- the las ave
year el hadn't a-driye dat rashun wagon in de
army, he said, the desire for pension stronger
than his conscience.
"How long you done draw that team. Mistah
Bosley? said MI jackson, with an oficfal air
BE keerfu- now! Remember you Is lest the same
as on 20 oaf, and wants de whole troof ard
nufla but de trOOf, case Is one OBJ de guberment
Oncers, and has took my oaf TO do my duty"
Uncle Moses was a little frightened at THIS sol
efnn assertion, and answered, Jruthfully: well
you see, wasn't really neDer q soldier at all but
was jest hired 10 drive wagon from Villa Ridge
10 Cairo when Col Wallace was dere with mis-
three-Inonths men; but IL war q awful rainy day
and tux a cold that settled In all my bones and
aest nearly coughed my inards out"
10 eOse, Den, de guoerment owes you a pen
sion. Alstan bosley, and Is glad Is heah 20 see
dat you gits IL But befo we goes any f,,rier
with DIS business, let come straight 10 De MINI
and ak you ef you won't boa'd me- 1 "a allie ~
pay wei, and since Use got 'Quainl ed with you and
Mis- BOsley, pears like i couldn't feel satlsred
boardin' nowhars else"
Uncle Moses looked al his Wife and vaifea un,u
she gave little Affirmative nod before he an
swered: "Wes dest po folks, Mr. Jackson ana
has POI nyin' but ef you KIN put up with our grub.
we'll take you"
II Is ever 50 much obleeged to you. I'm sho Mr.
Bosley, but dere Is one thing done forgot 10 Az
about Does you hold family wushup regular
and does you say grace at de table7 Case could
be satisfied less'n you did"
Moses assured him that these religious services
were never omitted ana inwardly set Mr.. JACKSON
sill higher In bis estimation
al b.eeyes In bein' strict In business matters 81
what mout yo' charges be, Mr.. Bosley !" Was the
next inquiry.
The two old people consulted together In an
under one Tor moment, both deciding that since
Nr