St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-11-30
MRS. BUSBY'S IDOLS.
BY HOPE DARING.

BY HOPE DARING.
Mr.. Joseph Busby eyed the sky as he
1eisurely walked from the barn to the
house. The morning sun was veiled
by feecy mist. while low in the
southwest a bank of dark gray clouds
was visible
After his prolonged scrutiny, Mr..
Busby pondered the matter. 1t was
not until he had washed his hands and
face on the back kitchen porch and en-
tered the room where his wife was
taking up the breakfast. that he said:
Pears like if might rain"
THAT is what YOU always say If
there's a cloud in the sky" Mrs Busby
said tartly. I'm thank you to lift
that boiler on. just the same"
'Goen to wash? It's most certain to
rain"
Let it rain. haven't any patience
with such weather" and Mrs, Busby
rushed down cellar after q pitcher OF
cream.
Her husband never hurried. He put
the boiler carefully on the stove, built
up a good fire. and, in obedience to a
gesture from his wife, took his place
1t the table.
Mr.. Busby always thought before he
spoke. This time. after a brief but
earnest blessing, he devoted himself to
ham. eggs and potatoes for five min
utes before saying in his usual drawl-
ing voice:
''That was powerful sermon Of the
elder Yesterday, Mirandy. l always
thought that text about Ephraim been
jined to his idols might apply to some
of us. Most everybody has idols Of
eome sort or other.
Mrs. Busby stirred her golden brown
coffee reflectively. Perhaps 30. /
hope the people who needs It took Mr..
Ranton's fine application. As for me !
once had an idol, but God took it"
There was pause. The thoughts Of
both husband and wife travelled to the
parlor where hung the picture Of a
child, a wee maiden with laughing blue
eyes and dimpled arms 1t was the
picture of little Leah, their only child.
whose death twenty years before had
left the old farm home deso!ate.
Mr. Busby's heart was too deeply
stirred by memories Of his child to
speak. But when dash of rain came
against the window pane his wife ex
claimed Grossly:
There, it's raining. And II don't
wash Monday nothing goes right all
the week"
"'Tain't an idol. is it. Mirandy?" Tho
good man of the house pushed back
from the table Nov, it don't seem
Jest right to be 90 sot as you air on
dozen your work exactly as you want
to. 1t pears to me it might be an
idol
"What an idea! just look there.
Ioseph. See that dirty spot on the
tablecloth where you've rubbed your
old coat sleeve. This tablecloth was
clean yesterday morning and now it
must 20 in the wash, making three
this week. / do wish you would be
more careful"
"Why, now. Mirandy, do try to be
careful. wish you would use colored
tablecloths. thought you bought
some turkey red ones"
les, ulO Ouk SuCIAs Ouu . AOOA Va
disgust crossed the face opposite Mr..
Busby. But want it understood l
am not going to use 'em. l will work
my fingers to the bone before Ill set
my table with anything but white
cloth, and she stroked the glossy linen
approvinRly.
81 know, Mirandy, but maybe that's
another idol. You see, you think a
sight Of such things"
Vow, Joseph Busby, it you are go
ing to talk such nonsense IS that you
better get to work. Just see there
The sun is shining. So you see it was
right for me to wash after all"
Maybe So" and the eyes Of the
simple-hearted man softeaed as he
looked through the east window at the
sun-kissed young foliage from which the
ram drops were yet falling. Maybe So.
Mirandy. You air an uncommon
woman and have been . good wife to
me for twenty-seven years. You hain't
got many idols. Mirandy. not half as
many as l have. But this always
thinker your way is best"
See here. Joseph Busby." there was
an undertone Of almost ferceness In
her voice. II think such twisting of
the Scriptures is sinful. II have idols,
can tend to 'em, that's all" and Mrs.
Busby strode into her bedroom and
shut the door violently.
When she returned to the kitchen
she was in Possession of the field.
Joseph had gone to his work
High time" she shifted; Idols, in
deed."
She put her clothes to soak. and car
rying her dishes into the pantry began
washing them. Her thoughts were not
pleasant ones; the frown on her face
told that The window before which she
stood was covered with . thick growth
of morning glory vines A few Of tie
daintily twisted buds, unheeding the
threatening Of storm, had opened their
pink, blue and white cups and peered
in 1T the fiushed face Of the worker.
But Mrs Busby was too busy. too dis
turbed BY her husbands words to no
tice their beauty.
II don't see what possessed Joseph
70 say that" she said, rs she began
rubbing her clothes. II gave up the
onlv idol ever had twenty years ago.
J."
She stopped abruptly. 'Of course.
it's that letter." she went ON. after q
brief pause. .'But he is wrong. It isn't
idol, that keep me from doing my
Again she stopped She had almost
eaid duty. A week before = letter had