The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-07-13

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 Emmeline snubbed her
at their own discretion. When jeff
. wanted a 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 a 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 us during court week. Where
you'll put 'em all, Harriet, | don't
know. But / 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, he appeared from his
room with his black satchcl in his hand.
You amt goin' to leave us, Judson.
| hope?' remarked Mrs. Wray, but in
such a 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, Jud,
she replied. Il guess Judy had better
stay here"
| Aunt Harriet did not like Judy, yet
the child was too useful to be lightly
parted with. Judy, listening eagerly,
showed that she was more than anxious
|
to go.
You all don't like Judy" persisted
Uncle Judson. lyon had better let me
take her. I'll be good to her-for-for
her mothers sake, and darcsay 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 go for a
| time. There would be one less mouth
to feed
I'D ask You to stay longer, JUDD"
said Harriet after she had given way in
favor of Judy's going. ''But-you see
how we are fixed"
Uncle Jud had seen only too well.
He babe them good-by and shuffied
away, holding Judy by the hand and
followed by Boozer. When they
reached the big road" a rumble of
wheels was heard, then 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.
Thcre'll 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 Burneys
hand.
Whip up" said he. Pull your
freight out'n here, afore Jonas gets
near. I'll give you another one if you
outrun him."
So Tom whipped up to such good
effect that Jonas could only shake his
fist and call Intellectually. while Judy
tremblcd even as she laughed at their
funny escape.
After all, Judy" quoth Uncle Jud,
later on, as they logged along the Tan
nerville road. Il don't know but what
i got as good right to take care on YOU as
Harriet has. Amt your own born
uncle? They can keep your clothes.
Perhaps we II find some more some
where"
Several weeks after these events a
yoke of steers were halted before the
Office OF certain business man in Tan
nerviile. From the wagon attached,
Jonas Wray got down and went inside,
leaving his wife to mind the steers.
The business man turned from his ac-
counts as the farmer entered.
We'll" he began, have you raised
that money or have you brought back
the cattle?'
II haven't been able to raise the
money. yet" returned Wray. Times
is mighty hard up our way"
I'm sorry to hear this, for Your note
has passed out of my hands. Here is
the address of the party who bought it
up, and You will have to arrange the
matter with him."
Mr.. Wray was given a card with a
street and number thereon.
The man lives there said this bust
ness man. He desired me to send YOU
to him whenever you came His name?
Oh, just 60 to the house. You'll find
him there"
Then the man turned away to attend
to customer. Jonas, both perplexed