Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1895-01-31


Of his thumb
Il sPose. said Ann, that folks are
sorry when their wives die2-
Mr.. Baker gave a short laugh
Wall. that depeuds
rOb. does IT, I though. folks had to
love their wives n be sorry when thew
died
Mr. Baker laughed again. He made
no other answer FOR several minutes
Al last he said
4 was sorry enough when my wife
died
A great pile q quartered apples vas
heaped up in the wooden bowl before
either spoke again
Thea Ann exclaimed with \ piteeus
intensity.
On, I'm awful tired q bein' Aunt
Mandany's fool
Mr.. Baker stamped his foot involun-
tarily.
How Jew know they call you thstq-
h. cried in a great voice.
Il heard Jane Littleaeld tell Mis-
Monk she hoped nobodyd ask Man
dany's fool To the sociable. And Mr..
Fletchers boy told me that's what
folks called me.
Darn Jane Littlefeld. Darn that
little devil Of a boy
These dreadful words burst out furi-
ously-
Perhaps Ann did not look > shocked
as she ought.
In a moment she smiled her imna-
ture. simple smile that had a touching
appeal in it.
TaIu't no use denyin it, she said,
y amt les like other folks, n that's
a fact. | can't think stiddy more n a
minute. Things all run together. some
how y the back er my head : odd :
il can be.
Pooh. What Of it, Tho& can't any
u u think stiddy; n il we could what
would it mount to. l should like to
know Il wouldn our to a row OF
pins.
Ann dropped her work and clasped
her hands. Nr. Baker saw that her
hands were hard. and stained almost
black on fingers and thumbs by much
cutting Of apples
Lt 81 NAT N1&1 IA GEIAAA1A1
voice. sometimes I think IL mother
had lived she'd er treated me - : l
could think stiddier. I s'pose mother d
~ loved me. They say mothers do.
But Aunt Mandany told me mother
died the wear l got my fall from the
cherry tree. I was eight then don't
remember uothin bout it. nor bout
anything much Mr.. Baker. do you re-
member YOUR mother
Mr.. Baker said Yes. abruptly.
Something made it impossible for him
TO say more.
I'd know how I Is. went on the
thin minor voice; but il always did
seem to me = though IL I could remem-
her my mother, l could think stiddier,
somehow. Do you think l could9'
Mr.. Baker started TO his feet.
~Tll be burned z I en- stan II. he
shouted No. nor I won't . it,
uuther
lie walked noisilv across the room.
He came back and stood in front Of
Ann. who had patiently resumed work.
Come, he said. 4 think a lot Of ye.
Les git married"
Ann looked up. She Strengthened
herself.
Then I should live with your" she
asked
OF course
she laughed.
There was : much Of confident happi-
ness IN that laugh that the mans heart
zlowed youthfglly-
Il shall be real glad to marry you.
Mr. Baker. she said
Then with pride. Y I can cook. n
7 know first rate how l. 90 house
work
She rose TO her feet and flung up her
heat
Mr. Baker put his arm a5out her.
Les 70 right along now. he said
more quickly than be had yet spoken.
Well call Z the minister's n engage
him You en- stop there Wen De
married to-day
Cant ye wait till l en- put on ny
bunnit a shawl Ann asked
She left the n I few moments
she returned FOR going SEE had a
sheet u note paper, a bottle q INK and
i pen n her hands
4 en- write. she said confidently,
n I call Il fairer - leave word tor
Aunt NaRdauv
Al right was the response. &c
ahead
Mr. Bal0er said afterwa-d that he
never got much more nervous in hi.
life than while Ann was writing that
note What 4 Naadany should ap-
pear lie wasn't going u back cut
but he didn't want 70 see that woman
The lnk vas thick the pen was Eks
4 pin and Ann was a good while max
ing each letter. but the task vas A. lAst
accomplished
>h- held cut the sheet % her com
paulsH
Ain that right she asked
Mr. BAKER drew his tAee down sol
emaly a. be read
urrs Aat N4szzie In - drettzu Tired o.
s~eia. Euur- t2ol taa- ne .sla. 80 De Mr.
B4&e@ Ee asst ne ASS
That. est the thing be said ex
plosIv-ly. Vow. eome On
A. they walked along IN the hot taI
sunshine. Mr. Baker said earnestly
I'm certain sure We shIl be ever -
much happier.
>om T. Ann replied with ehsertg
confidence
They were N a lonely Rad. and they
walked hand in hand
Tn Soin 70 Be good 10 ye. said III.
mai with still more earnestness Then
IN j challenging tone. a. II addressing
the world at large 4 guess faint no
bodys business but oura
Ann looked at him. and smiled trus,
fully.
After awhile he began laugh
I'm thinAan Of your Aunt Mande-
WHEN she reads that letter he ex
plzined-The Chap-Book