The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-12-19

premises. Hurry up the wedding as
soon as ever you can, my son: it's an
awful inconvenient time of year to get
married in''
Are you sure you're doing wise
thing, LettyPn said Old Eben Hooper,
when his daughter showed him her
wedding dress with blushing pride.
''Why not, father?'
'FThose Atkins have the name of
being very hard. And Mrs. Green.
their neighbor, says Jonas is only get
ting married to save the expense of a
hired girl"
Il think he likes me-" said Letty,
shyly. And I'm awfully sorry for his
poor rheumatic mother"
81 guess you'd better keep your pity
for yourself" observed Mr. Hooper,
shrewdly. "By all accounts, you'll
need it! Going to Uncle Pricketts
for your wedding trip, Ell? Well, its
a pleasant part of the country. dare
say you'll like it."
Uncle Prickett was leather-com-
plexioned old man, with keen black
eyes and sharp, yellow teeth, like those
OF an elderly monkey. He gave them
a cordial welcome.
That's a pretty little new wife o.
yours, Mr.. Akin" said he. ''And as
smart as steel, too, though she is my
niecer'
Eyes" said Jonas, with modest ex-
ultation, 81 calculate she'll be helpful
like around the farm. We need a stir
ring woman at home"
Not too helpful, lhope, said Uncle
Prickett.
''Eh?' said Jonas.
Look here said Uncle Prickett.
''Sir?" stammered Jonas.
Fond of her, ehP" questioned Uncle
Priekett.
You bet 1 amp' Jonas promptly re-
sponded.
Then don't murder her!'
Murder herr
'Look here again. And Uncle
Prickett drew Jonas towards the win
dow. Dye see the church-yard over
there on the hill2"
Jonas shivered little.
Eyes" said he. Il see it. Them
white stones gleamin' through the
trees, aint it?''
MY wife lies there" said Uncle
Prickett
'Indeedr said Jonas, a little un-
easily.
81 killed hern said Uncle Prickett.
Jonas started back.
'tEh?" he exclaimed a second time.
Don't look at me that way" said
Uncle Priekett 81 didn't stab her,
nor poison her.. / loved her, young
man, just as well as you love gour
wife. And yeti killed her. Do YOU
want to know how it was donePn
Jonas stared at him. Had the man
gone crazy?
Word" said Uncle Priekett. s.Hard
work! We were proud of the farm
and of the dairy. We liked to add
premiums at the county fairs. We
added up our bank account every night.
Jenny was as anxious to save money
as was. She rose at three o'clock in
the morning, and sat up sewing until
eleven at night. Well. here's the farm,
and there's the bank account; but Jen-
ny lies buried under the biggest gray
shaft on yonder side hill. She died
the day before her twenty-ninth birth
day, and 1 knew just as well as if
eoroner's inquest had said SO that had
been her death. y
mo, no." pleaded Jonas. '.Don't say
tbat!'
"As true as stand here, said Uncle
Prickett. Il should have been. careful
OF her. A woman amt an iron ma
chine. should have cherished her
amt that what the Marriage Service
saysP-instead of letting her work her
self into a decline. What sort O. good
do you suppose all that money does me
ros0? She amt here to share it with
me. Now you know what mean, young
man."
And Uncle Prickett turned on his
heel and went out of the room.
Lefty he said to his niece, who
was gathering the first ripe raspber-
ries that grew on the sunny garden
wall, I've been giving your husband
q word of advice. I've been telling
him he mustn't let you work yourself
TO death. like your Aunt Jenny did. "
do youth he needs advice, Uncle
Prickett?''
''All young men do at one period or
another of their lives. said Mr.. Prick
1T.
1t was of Saturday night when Jo-
las brought his bride home. Mrs.
Green, the nearest neighbor, had been
lelping around the house, and had
savory supper. The even
ng meal was scarcely concluded, when
J wagon drove up to the door, and out
topped stout Welsh girl, with a bun
lie under her arm, and a yellow cot
on umbrella.
Who sthiaP'' said Mrs. Akin. view