Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-02-22

now seemed to be 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 fxings, while
others tore open the floor and began to
trench things generally with water
from the well.
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
lying wife had been rescued, was that
IF her figure bent under load of
clothes, quilts and blanket is 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 helter
skelter all round the house. Then did
Mrs. Boddle bethink herself of her i'll
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 Tucker!" said Uncle
Billy, biting at long straw and eyeing
his wife in way that made her turn
her head aside. "They said l was
fool-a plum fool, and reckon am.
In fact, if there's a bigger fool than me,
anywheres round, I'd give nickel just
to take one solid look at him."
"Can't I-see Sampson? l feel
mighty goneness comm all over me;
like hit was"
81 told Sampson to go home-that's
what done. If he ever dares to send
in bill-I-I'll go over thar and shoot
the top of his head off with a bacon
rine. If thar's a bigger humbug than
you air, Malindy Boddle, hits that same
Doc Sampson"
"Mr. Boddle, I'm sartinly a-goin to
faint. Send Easter"
Casters goin to leave, too. Eff
thar's any more coolSin' done about
these promises, Malindy Jane Boddle,
hit'll be done ty yyou-"
Now, Biliy-did | ever"
"No-nor you won't never ag'in. The
folks are leavin', nd I'm goin' to ltindle
fire in the kitchen. Then, while me
nd Jim moves the things back in agin,
| shall be loolSin' for sassage nd buck
wheat cakes for supper And | want
ye 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 IA 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 a
meal as had ever been cooked upon the
place before. Mrs. Boddle was standing
over the griddle, erect and vigorous
81 hope, Malindy," said the husband,
as he finished his fifth plateful, 81 hope
We don't feel any return of your symp-
toms-yet?"
''shet your mouth. onless ye haven't
eat enough. If am bigger fool than
you, you can take your look at me; but
you've got to hold yonr tongue"
Uncle Billy's eyes twinkled. Evi-
IDENTIFY Mrs Boddle was cured, and
without the aid of doctors, too. Nor
did her former ailments return; for
something in Mr.. Boddles usually amia-
BILE eye told her that it wonld not do
William Perry Brown, In Yankee Blade.