The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-03-30

Mr.. Fosdick had learned to rofy Oh
Abner-- much more than on his own
cor, Hsc-y, ~ho, ii truth must be
told, was inclined to shirk. Henry
disliked the farm. In fact, he dis
liked labor or application of any sort.
''rhen guess you may go on, Alb
ner, and will rest q spell. To tell
the truth I don't feel very scrump-
tious," and he seated himself in the
old fashioned rocker out i'll the shady
eide of the porch. He soon fell asleep
Two hours passed, and Marie began to
feel anxious, as her father seemed still
sleeping. She passed her hand anxi-
ously over his brow. He awoke. but
seemed daZed. He failed to recognize,
her, as he failed To cognize all the
other menbers of tho family. DIR.
Romo was hastily summoned, who
said he WAS suffering from Eunstroke,
and gently intimated that his working
days were over. Abner came home
much later than usual, having stayed
to finish the lot. He found the family
in distress over Mr.. Fosdick's condi-
ton. Somehow tho blow seemed to
have crushed Mrs. Fosdick. She sat
in state of apathy, from which they
could not arouse her. Everything
fell upon Marie. "Maric" must do
this. "Marie" must direct that.
Henry, instead Of b1acing himself to
help meet the needs of the place, grew
lazier than ever, and absolutely refused
to be dictated to.
There's Just one thing about it,
hot,
morning, eve have got to make our
plans exactly as if Henry wero not
3 hefe. He can,k Les sdenended unon.
You had to do his work yesterday as
well as your own. He is determined
TO go to the city. Let him go. /
shall oppose him no longer. Then we
shall know just what wo have got to
depend upon"
The next day Hey started for the
city, leaving his s. re of the burden
to fall upon Marie nd Abner.
"I'll do the best I can, Miss Marie"
said Abner. 'I want you to feel free
to call upon mo early and late and !
will serve yon faithfully"
81 don't doubt YOU will, Abner, but
oh! if only mother had not fallen into
such strange condition! She doesn't
seem to care about anything, and /
don't know much. j shall have To de-
pend upon You entirely about the
farm, and if / fail to show judgment
you'll know it is because don't know,
not because don't care, aud then we
will talk things over and get as straight
as we can.
Marie was not crying girl usually,
but just now such large tears stood in
her pretty eyes, and she looked up into
Abner's face with such an appealing,
dependent look that he felt his heart
jump straight into Marie'S hands.
"I.'s moi much that i know, but you
may trust me, Miss Marie"
Somehow Mario felt extremely COM
forted from that moment, although
she could not sing about the house in
her old-time way, yet she worked and
directed with feeling of greater Sc
curity than before.
And in the midst of it all Aunt Tab
by came. Even Marie, hospitable as
she was, fel, bit more weary after she
had welcomed her and helped her
place her few garments i'll the neat
"spare chamber"
'tNow, look a here, Marie. made
up my mind to come, even if your pa
an ma air sick. I can do little to
help, an I will, too, if you an I can
agree on few things"
''But you are getting old, and You
are not strong, auntie. You must not
90 much; you'll get sick"
IF amt capable there's folks in
the world rs is an we can get EN-"
'No, we can't, for we've no money
to do it with, said Marie, decidedly.
"Well, l have, an I'll do it, pro-
vided n good smart gal can come here
an help you, but if you say you'll
allow her TO wait on them lazy girls
an work over their founces an furbe-
lows instead of helpin' you, why 'tiant
of much use"
Marie caught eagerly at this hope of
help.
well, armtie, l promise you faith
fully that Cclinda and Clara shall wait
upon themselves and iron their own
founccs. We will have COOL work
dono i'll an orderly manner, and l am
tired, Aunt Tabhy."
"WelI, there's one a-comin' by next
stage. counted on how it would be
an took the liberty to have her prom
isc to come. She's n stout, likely gal. "
Marie knew her aunt's compliments
would not be undeservedly given. She
ran down with n lighter heart. Abner
came in with his pals of milk and won
dered at this unusual brightness OF
Marie's tired face.
"You can't always tell what folks
will do, he said, after Marie had ex.
planned. 81 felt as if she had IL streak
of good in her which emergencies would
bring out.
And 80 the summer waned, and the
aged father and mother were still in.
valids. It was with a sad heart and
sometimes teer-aimmed eyes that Marie
saw Abner's fevorite books gathering
suspicion of dust upon their covers.
He had no time for study or reading.
And then Aunt Tabby suddenly fell
ill.
Its of no use doctorin'." she said.
my time has come. / feel it, an to-
morrow I want things fixed pretty
much as ! want EN-, an I'll get you