Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-05-23

WlllNlNlfff1nl IlaH *
MRS. BoDDLE WAS fTANDINe OVER THE
GIRL DIE.
woman, after snuffing suspiciously, be-
gan to revive.
DR.. Sampson and Aunt Easter, be-
low, heard shrill cry over their heads.
"Fire! Firei Firel H-e-l-pl Muir
derl F.i-r-er'
The tones were so shrill, strong and
startling, that the two, utterly mysti-
fed, ran upstairs to find Mira. Boddle
with wrapper thrown loosely on,
striding about the upper rooms as Wig
orously as if she had never been in a
sick bed in her life.
Bring up water, Easter" she ex
claimed, rummaging in closet near
the chimney. "The house is afire
under this upper floor. Hits caught
from fue, reckon. Doctor, you
must help me down with the things"
The doctor, though greatly startled,
proceeded to lug down the furniture.
Aunt Easter stood as If paralyzed at
first, then she actually grinned as she
hurried away. Meanwhile Mrs. Boddle
was throwing bedding and clothing
from the windows, and making frantic
attempts to discover where the flames
were located, and also shouting con-
tinuously to the full extent of what
now seemed to be a vigorous pair of
lungs. The fire was somewhere be-
tween floor and ceiling Smoke was
bubbling up here and there through
the chinks, in increasing volumes.
The doctor and Aunt Easter also
added their shouts, and soon the neigh,
bors came running. Many willing
hands were now removing the furni.
ture and other household fixings, while
others tore open the floor and began to
drench things generally with water
from the we'll
Amidst all this, up rode Uncle Billy,
accompanied by Drs. Pepperpill and
Slambang, who had been easily found.
The first sight that greeted the alarmed
husband as he looked to see if his half
dying wife had been rescued, was that
of her figure bent under a load of
clothes, quilts and blankets that would
have sorely taxed his own strength.
She flung them down in the yard,
turned back, and without stopping,
called to the amazed Mr.. Boddle:
''Come! Stir your stumps, old man.
I'll get out the rest of the bedding
while you help 'em with the furni-
ture."
There was no time for comment then;
and all hands worked with will until
the fire was subdued, though by that
time most of their things lay heller
SHELTER all round the house. Then did
Mrs. Boddle bethink herself Of her ILL.,
ness, and quietly withdrew to the
shelter of some friendly currant BUSH
es, where she found featherbed and
lay down with an appearance Of utter
exhaustion.
When at length Uncle Billy came up,
painting from his own exertions, Mrs.
Boddle very family asked when the
doctors were going to begin their con
sultation.
"Pepperpill and Slambang have done
rid off-mad as Tuckerl" said Uncle
Billy, biting at long straw and cycling
his wife in way that made her turn
her head aside. "They said was q
fool-a plum fool, and reckon am.
In fact, If there's bigger fool than me,
anywheres round, I'd give nickel just
to take one solid look at hi M"
''Can't I-see Sampson? l feel a
mighty goneness comm all over me;
like hit was"
II told Sampson to go home-that's
what done. II he ever dares to send
in bill-I-I'll go over thar and shoot
the top of his head of with bacon
rine. If thar's bigger humbug than
you air, Malindy Boddle, hits that same
Doc Sampson"
''Mr. Boddle, I'm sertinly a-goin to
faint. Send Easter"
Casters goin' to leave, too. Eff
thars any more coolsin' done about
these premises, Malindy Jane Boddlc,
hit'll be done by you"
NOW, Billy-did ever"
"No--nor you won't never ag'in. The
folks are leavin', md Pm goin' to kindle
n fire in the kitchen. Then, while me
md Jim moves the things back in agin,
shall be loolsin' for sassage nd buck
wheat cakes for supper. And l want
We TO remember that don't intend be-
in disappointed"
With this Uncle Billy took fresh
bite at the straw, drove his hat more
firmly upon his head, and walked
away with an undeniable shade OF
blood in his eye. Mrs. Boddle lay still
for q few moments, then she rose and
disappeared in the direction Of the
kitchen.
An hour or two later, Uncle Billy and
his hired man sat down to as good o
meal as had ever been cooked upon the
place before. Mrs. Boddle was standing
over the griddle, erect and vigorous.
II hope, Malindy," said the husband,
as he finished his fifth platoful, II hope
ye don't feel any return Of your symp-
toms-yet?"
'Shet your mouth, onless ye haven't
eat enough. II am bigger fool than
you, you can take your look at mel but
you've got TO hold yonr tongue"
Uncle Billy's eyes twinlsled. Evil
IDENTIFY Mrs Boddle was cured, and
without the aid OF doctors, too. Nor
did her former ailments return; for
something in Mr.. BOTTLES usually amia
BILE eye told her that II would not do
Willism Perry Brown, In Yankee Blade