The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-08

up to the speakers expectation ayes
that man that was here awhile bacl
looking out for pensions is go.n' to ri
pension fer Bill" he Continued
lyon all know Bill fit in the war, an
he's blind, you know, an he's goin' t,
git his u,oney now soon. l reckon hi
back pay'il be sev'rul thousand dollars
It'll be two or three months befor,
he'll git it, but they say it's sure t,
come" Well, we'll! would wonder
never cease? Bill Atkins a moneyet
mani The news must be true, for tn,
whole party remembered the pension
examiner who had visited the town
and two or three men testified to see
ing him go to Atkins house.
Tho news spread like wildfire
through the little town, and created g
variety of emotions. A few skeptical
souls pretended not 20 believe it, but
they were in hopeless minority, and
the subject was discussed in all its
bearings. The Atlfinses had suddenly,
and by no effort of their own, become
very important citizens. Mrs. Smith,
the wife of one of the ministers, told
the ladies in the sewing society
that she thought it shame that none
OF them ever went to see the Atkiuscs.
They've got souls to save il they air
pore, . she added, judiciously overlook
ing the fact that report said they were
no longer beggars. Mrs. Kelly, the
lady who had avowed her intention of
never helping them again, looked quite
abashed, and secretly resolved to send
Mrs Atkins pitcher OF buttcrmilk
that very evening.
Next morning Mrs. Atkins herself
set forth for visit to Johnson's store.
entirely unaware of the rumor that
was abroad. She entered the place
rather timidly and in very apologize
tone asked for a pound of bacon, a lit
tie coffee and box of snuff, adding, as
was her invariable rule, that she would
pay for the things as soon as berries
gifts ripe" As Mrs. Atkins had made
this same promise every time she had
entered the store, there was no reason
why it should have particularly i'm
pressed MIR. Johnson; yet he seemed de-
lighted, and hastily produced the things
she wished, but in much more generous
quantities. How would you like nice
ham?" he asked, holding up the article
in question. Mrs. Atkins hesitated.
She was as honest as her limited
means would permit, so she shook her
head, saying he would get tired of
waiting for his pay. mo, indeed" he
insisted; take your own time to pay
for it. / don't mind waiting bit on a
good customer" Thus urged, Mrs.
Atkins took the ham, and added SEVERAL
unaccustomed luxuries to her list. Ho
would not allow her to carry the
things, but sent them in his delivery
wagon. and gave her at parting po-
lite. "call again" Mrs. Atkins went
home in truly astonished state OF
mind, related her remarkable adven-
ture to the old man and the children,
and wound up by declaring that slim
Johnson's been converted, and know
1t, else he never would have did it,
The Atkinses enjoyed square meal
that morning, the first in many
weary day.
The two churches-there were only
two In the town-seemed to vie with
each other in paying delicate atten-
lions to the hitherto neglected family.
To be just, the two ministers and their
wives had endeavored to induce the
AtlSinses to ''join the church." hut
their efforts had not been crowned
with success, largely, it seemed, be-
cause Mrs. Atkins and Mandy, the
Oldest girl, had 'nothin' to wear"
But now the other ladies of the church
developed a sudden interest in the |
and upon receiving the usual |
reply one OF them boldly asked: |
We'll, why don't you git dress at |
Boothby's? He'll wait till you git the
money" Mrs. Atkins, who was getting
little accustomed to her unexpected
turn OF good luck, plucked np heart
% go to Boothby's, the largest dry
FOODS and general merchandise" store
n the place, and, though somewhat un-
certain OF her reception, managed to
express desire for certain purple
'alico toward which her heart had in
lined, but which she had never
lreamed of possessing. Mr.. Boothby
vas most affable; certainly she could
lave the goods. and anything else she
Wished. A pink calico for Mandy
vas added, and the enterprising mer-
liant succeeded in pressing upon the
'ewildered woman various articles OF
ldornment entirely unsuitable to her.
nut of which he had found some trouble
n disposing.
Thus 1t went on. Mandy and her
mother became regular church goers,
rrayed in their elegant new calicoes,
nd even the old man had a new suit
I store clothes" sold him on time
nd somewhat against his will by an
accommodating merchant Of the town.
In vain the Atkinses protested that
hey did not know when they could
ay for all these luxuries; these gen
rous friends smilingly waved aside
IL such scruples and protested that
hey were perfectly willing to wait.
Thus the winter passed, the Atkinses
ally growing in favor 1t had been a
ard season, but, thanks to the indul-
ence OF their now numerous friends,
ley Jared well, and the oldest boy had
position that enabled him to earn
tile.
Spring came. and with it the PEN
ON officer came to the town again.