The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-08-24

before. Mis- Simpson" she said, shoe
ing away hen that had come to as
sist, thinking she was grubbing for
worms. You say that just as thong h
it didn't mean more'n goin' across the
street. There, I've got it; twas stick
in in the hem of my dress, after all.
If l remember right, you amt never
been to. the city before. Mis- Simpson,"
mo, we amt never been; an as the
deacon an me amt CROWN any young
er, we'd better go now if we're goin' at
all. Cousin Abbie seems just set on
havin' us come"
"Well. hope you'll have good
time" she said, after sewing few
minutes in silence. "If there's any.
thin in the world that I've real de-
sire to do it's to go to the city and see
the sights. But amt never seen my
way clear to do so, bein' all alone in
the world" and Miss Jemima gave o
little sniff of self pity.
IL see what she's comm to-" she
thought, IAN If don't encourage her
then my conscience's clear; but she's
made up her mind to go along with us,
an If there's anybody in this world the
deacon can't abide. it's Jemima Hum
mers. do believe il l can only tell
him she's goin' too, he'll give the whole
thing up"
She glanced anxiously at Miss Hum
mer's sharp features and little bird
like eyes, which were blinking
thoughtfully over her work, as she
mentally laid out her tactics.
IF she don't follow this thing up
it'll be the first time she didn't do what
she set out to; but amt goin' to give
her one mite of encouragement"
."What day you goin'?" said Miss
Jemima at last.
"Well. Cousin Abbie said Saturday
in her letter-that'll be day after to-
morrow-so s'pose the deacon'll cal
c'late to go them" was the answer. Il
can look over my things an do my
pacltin' tomorrow, an we can get off
by the first train. I'll allow faint as
much time as l should like. There's
my brown merino's got to be fixed at
the bottom, an the deacon's things We
got to be attended to, an
Miss Jemima arose, and taking her
hat from a branch of the tree where it
had been hanging, tied it securely un-
der her chin.
well, must be a-goin,'" she said,
'but I'll try an drop in tomorrow, to
see how you're gettin' on"
The gate clicked, and Mrs. Simpson
was left alone, gazing Mt Miss Jemima' S
prim figure disappearing down the
road, and regretfully thinking: ''She
never said she was goin' along with US;
but maybe she will tomorrow.
1t was Friday evening. The air was
soft and cool, and laden with the sweet
odor of fresh hay. The hens had gone
to their roost, and all was quiet save
an occasional cluck from a bela ted
fowl, or the deep croak of some frog as
it jumped with a splash into the; peond
back of the house. All abont the barn
looked clean and orderly, and peace
and rest seemed to prevail every
where.
All was to the deacon's mind, and
still he was not happy, as he sat on
the broad, stone doorstep, with his
wife just inside, rocking rapidly to and
fro. The yellow cat jumped into his
lap and tried to make herself comfort
able for her usual evening nap, but
without avail. So, after purring loud
er and louder to attract his attention,
until it had become gentle roar, she
jumped down in quite a disguised man
ner and walked sedately into the
house.
Ibid you say the packin' was all
done, Maria?" he inquired for the third
or fourth time. Il hope you amt for
gotten anythin', particularly the medi-
cines. Ell we was to be taken sick at
Abbie's dunno what we'd do"
"Well. there's no denyin' that it's a
sickly season in the city," was the
cheerful answer; but if you should
happen to have long attack of the
rheumatism guess Abbie an me could
pull you through"
Deacon Simpson gave groan; then,
suddenly recollecting himself, turned
it into a cough. There was a long
pause, finally broken by the deacon.
"Ef there's a disagreeable, homcly
cretur in the world it's that JemiEa
Runners" Still the rockers creaked
and there was no response; but smile
overspread the occupants face. which
the increasing darkness kindly hid. II
don't deny but what she's got her good
p'ints," he continued, pricked by his
conscience, ''but they amt my style,
an that's fact. Besides, she amt
any right to go taggin' on with us; an
you know it, Maria" he added, fret
fully.
We'll, don't allow you have any
right to talk about the face the Lord
gave her. say it amt becomin' in
you, deacon" Mrs. Simpson arose and
went into the pantry, where she
Lighted the lamp, but after moment
put it out aud resumed her seat.
What's the natter" inquired her
husband, in surprise.
'Oh, nothin'. was goin' to put the
beans to soak, an then l remember we