The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-11-21

The old man Weatherwax has been under
cloud for some time aud only the other day
II leaked out what the matter was. 1t seems
that one day last hucklebery time that hi
and his wife, Harriet, were visiting theil
married daughter, who lives few miles
west OF here, and who owns huckIeberry
marsh. Along In the afternoon the old lady
persuaded Josiah to go down i'm the swamp
with her and pick berries, so each with q
small tin pail they toddled Off together into
the swamp, and soon got separated from each
other In their search for fruit. 1t was not
long, however, before the old lady heard a
tremendous yell: "Harrie-e-e-e-e-t! HAIR
RIET! Confound your picter." ''lIere am,
Josiah" said the old lady as she come up
GREATNESS, want me? what f0r?" WANT
YOU" h0wled the old man. ''here am dyn
with rattlesnake bite, an you stan there
like mud hen an ask whal want you for,
what d'yOu s'pose l wanted you for, s'pose
wanted to take up subscription for the
blasted heather, eh! Say!" said he as he
sat down on a bog and picked up one
of his feet. what did you want to git me
down here for, eh! Wanted to getme killed
off mebbe. Oh Lord, how that foot pains
me. l shall die, die like a dog right here in
the swamp on account of my wife and a
measly SAUCER" ''Why JOSIAH" said the
old lady, ibid SAUCER really bite you?'
BITE me! Great Cesar! do you s'pose
bit the sauger?" ''Well, l didn't know"
said the old lady, timidly, but what bee
might have stung YOU" There you go
agin, didn't know, you never know DOthin',
spose I'd yell so as to be heard all over
Clinton county for bee sting" Why,
what shall do, Josiah?" said the old lady
anxiously. ''Dew," screamed the old man,
''stan' right there an eat huckleberries till
Pm dead and then kerry up the corpse, -
you 90 git whiskey, that's the stuff, an be
student about it, for Pm gittin' cold now"
So the old lady hurried up to the house and
brought down the whiskey bottle and the
balance of the family, including Johnnie.
''Pm gittin' blind" said the old man
as he CROPPED for the whiskey bottle
and gulped down half pint. There,
now lay me down so l can die comf'table
like" They Strengthened him out and put
a coat under his head and he breathed cas-
Ter. He talked calmly of death and shortly
asked for some more whiskey. After rest
ing awhile he opened his eyes and looked
over the group of weeping friends and asked
for some whiskey. As he settled back his
breath came harder and he told them he was
lying, and asked for forgiveness-and more
vhskey. He then kissed them all and
wanted to embrace the dog. He said that
he seemed like brother to him. Here he
yept.
Just then Johnnie, who had been hunting |
or the snake, picked up swapping turtle |
'ut of the grass and said; there grand-dad |
s the snake that bit YOU" The old man |
opened his eyes and stared vacantly at the |
urtle. YOU'RE liar; thazz Amt no (hic) no |
aZzle shnake." But this is what bit YOU" |
persisted Johnnie, ''see the mark on your |
hoe, now" ''Thazz (hic) thazz lie, N
III haste your jacket for you" said the old /!
nan trying to rise. Twas of no use, the
anne was up and so they led the old man
With difficulty to the house where he slept
fl his disaster. Q.