The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-08-05


orphan child was regarded mainly as a
drudge and convenience for the rest
Her Uncle Jonas ignored her; her aunt
scolded her and kept her busy; while
Cousins jeff and Emmelinc snubbed her
at their own discretion. When JEFF
! wanted chair he took Judy's; when
Emmeline wished to shirk duty of any
kind, she called upon her cousin to take
her place.
In Judy's face was sort of mature
sadness of expression, rather pitiful to
see in one so young. 1t reminded Uncle
Judson of his dead sister-Judy's moth
er-when she babe her brother good
by, years and years before. At times,
as he sat by the fire, he would stroke
Judy's hair in retrospective way, and,
perhaps, give his head a sage, though
unintelligible, nod or two.
One day, after the western uncle had
been there for week or more, Jonas
entered the house, saying:
''I've just heerd that Dutch Powell is
going to bring his family over to stay
with MS during court week. Where
you'll put EN- all, Harriet, 1 don't
know. But l reckon we'll have to
keep 'em. bein' as we stayed with them
last fall when the protracted meetin'
was goin' on at Steertown-"
As he spoke Jonas glanced meaning
ly at Uncle Judson, who sat smoking
with Judy on his knee and Boozer un.
der his chair. Mrs. Wray pro-
fessed herself equally puzzled, but I'm
Gle Judson said nothing. In the morn
ing. however. ne appeared from his
room with his black satchel in his hand.
"You amt goin' to leave us, Judson.
hope?" remarked Mrs. Wray. but in
such half-hearted way that he at
tempted no argument other than to say:
Yes, I've got some business in Tan
nerville-and think I'd like to take
Judy along If you don't care"
Tannerville was the principal town
of those parts, and was on the railroad.
Seems to me you've got about all you
can do to take care of yourself, judi"
she replied. 81 guess Judy had better
stay here"
Aunt Harriet did not like Judy, yet
Vic Cliio N0o tOO uSCluk W NC DKHJly
parted with. Judy, listening eagerly,
showed that she was more than anxious
to 90.
"You all don't like judy" persisted
Uncle Judson. "You had better let me
take her. I'll be good to her-for-for
her mothers sake, and daresay we will
get along somehow"
Jonas nodded approval, for in order
to get rid of his brother-in-law he did
not SO much mind seeing Judy 60 for a
time. There would be one less mouth
to feed.
I'D ask you to stay longer, Jud,"
said Harriet, after she had given way in
favor of Judy's going. 'But-you sec
how we are fixed"
Uncle Jud had seen only too well.
He babe them good-by and shufied
away, holding Judy by the hand and
followed by Boozer. When they
reached the big road" q rumble of
wheels was heard, then a wagon hove
in sight going towards Tannerville.
There is Tom Burney," exclaimed
Uncle Judson, waving his hat at the
driver. Perhaps he'll let us ride"
The two were scarcely seated in the
wagon when Mr.. Wray appeared, call
ing on them to stop.
Judy" he called, ''your Aunt Harriet
has changed her mind bout your goin'.
She forgot bout the comp'ny comm.
be lots Of work to do. You
must get out and come back"
Judy's lips trembled. Uncle Jud, no
ticing her reluctance, and thinking
Of the slavish life led by the poor child,
showed a silver dollar into Burney's
hand.
whip up" said he. Pull your
freight out'n here, afore Jonas gets
near. I'll give you another one If you
,utrun him."
So Tom whipped up to such good
effect that Jonas could only shake his |
list and call Intellectually, while Judy |
trembled even as she laughed at their |
funny escape. i
AFTER all, judy" quoth Uncle Jud,
alter on. as they logged along the Tan
,erville road, II don't know but what |
got as good right to take care on you as |
Harriet has. Amt your own born |
lncle? They can keep your clothes.
Perhaps we'll find some more some
where"
Several weeks after these events q
voke of steers were halted before the
'ffice OF certain business man In Tan
lerville. From the wagon attached,
Ionas Wray got down and went inside,
eaving his wife to mind the steers.
The business man turned from his &C
cunts as the farmer entered.
"Well," he began, "have you raised
hat money or have you brought back
he cattle?"
II haven't been able to raise the
money yet" returned Wray. Times
} mighty hard up our way"
I'm sorry to hear this, for your note
as passed out. of my hands. Here is
he address of the party who bought It
p, and you will have to arrange the
natter with him."