New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-05
DADDY JOHNS NEW CLOES.

Daddy warmed his thin, blue hands at the
fire and the sweet smell of the corn-pone ana
the fragrance Of the coffee were very peasant
10 him His old, wizened face wrinkied ih'o
something meant for smile
"The Doctor womans barl hes come he
said.
.1 seen It on julie Fraley's wagon replied
Liz. her dark weatherbeaten face lighting.
oCome an eat yer dinner. Dad she added
"1,m s-comin'" quavered the old man. tot
,ering forward and pulling along an old splint
chair.
.Wbars tibet piece er saddle-blanket?' he
croabed.
81 he'd 1t er ridin' Pomp." declared Bud.
"You git il mighty quick" said his mother
Bud brought a tattered sheepskin which the
old man carefully folded in the chair and then
sat down.
Tina. part Of Daddy Johns apparel which
came in contact with the sheepskin was so
attenuated as TO fabric that the interposition
of the worn fleece was most comforting
"rve got ter hev some new cloes Liz" said
Daddy. presently.
She looked at Bud.
bud wants some new cloes powerful BAD
Too hut he eats sech a heap, pears like caynt
never git him moan
Bud kin get erlong" said the old man testify
cIo'es in her barl?" asked Liz.
81 reckon But mebby Their amt nary thing
fer me-"
EFF you should go up thar
"I Amt er goin" interrupted the old man. al
most angrily Doctor womans alays been
good ter we uns an don't aim ter ak her fer
airy thing.
His feeble hands trembled as he took UP his
torn hat.
'shes got plenty of everything" said LIZ
sulleny.
ct don't differ. j amt er goin'!
Daddy John went out
"Dad alays wus er fool!' unused Liz. as she
lit her pipe.
you go an help yer grandad pick up taters'
she called to Bud.
Bud sauntering lazily toward the potato
bank saw somebody swinging along down 'he
mountain toward the cabin
..Thars the Doctor womans niger er comm
after YOU Grandad," he called.
Daddy John set his spade down hard and
leaned forward on the handle.
"Comin' after me? YOuse plum id5t. Bud
But he stared from under his shaggy brows
and breathed hard the handsome yellow
woman came up.
"Howdy. Sally
''Howdy. Daddy john
''Bankin' up yer taters?"
ct reckon"
He was shaking all over and feit SICK
"Got some permaters yit. Daddy! I'll me
some! wants permater pie, l does
"Yis. Wis" said the old man. shortly
"Doctor wants you to come up thar Daddy.
Shes got sumhn fer you outen her barL'
.yessum I'll come after I gifts my taters
done banked up"
Sally started off with her tomatoes
"ren her I'm obleeged ter her" called Dad
dy's cracked voice.
what my misss wants to throw away good
c,o.es on that pore white trash fer. / don't
know" grumbled Sally. "Me an Jake could
or made use O all o them things.
Daddy John went on with his work
"Ain't you goin. Grandad?' cried buo'
"Yis. I'm er goin right now.
He toddled off to the cabin. washed his hands
at the porch and dried them on pi' Oh ouiiaps
The doctor was watching for the old man. lie
~avc q queer pull at his tattered hat brim as ne
came,near
.1Iowdv Daddy John! I'm right glad TO see
you. Come In"
70 stood at the edge Of the hearth gazing at
The barrel.
The doctor smiled
"your hat is getting pretty old, daddy. The
trim IL torn and there's such big hole in the
crown"
D,adv John looked down at the hat in APP
parent surprise.
"Yessum. Hits plum wore out, sure nun
"Never mind" said the doctor. Il have such
q nice cap for you" showing 1t to him.
made Of soft fur and with ear-lappets 10 Tie
down"
The old face altered. 1t lost ten weary years.
"Try It on. Daddy! Now Is 1t not nice! You
oic UNIT
"No, maam, Thank'ee, ma'am! l reckon I'd
better go now
''Wait bit. You need some shoes DADDY.
Here are some-good ones"
mighty fine shoes mighty fine" mumbled the
old
.'Now you need some soft, warm socks. Here
they are You want TO put them on. don't you?
Come in here. And now must go-go-oh, yes
GO 10 feed my chickens. But there's one thing
more. Here is a nice pair Of trousers
Doctor
ITS all right Daddy They will just At you.
I'm sure"
Such droll figure awaited the doctors return.
little gray old man. his small spindle legs rat
Ting round in the fine black trousers his ragged.
faded calico shirt abashed in such company.
He looked at her speechess. his wrinked face
working.
She smiled at him.
II have a vest here FOR you, DADDY, ana
I'll give you clean white shirt to take home.
Doctor the old man gasped. Il caynt T.
"Don't worry. Daddy. Try on the vest
He put il on Juggling weakly at the buttons
Jest what | needed" he muttered, huskily.
you look very nice. Daddy. There's only one
thing more and here It is-the finest, warmest
coat in Buncombe County.
She held 1t up by the shoulders. and ne drew
1t on.
"Now is not that lovely coat?
He stroked the soft cloth gently. pulled al the
fronts with his stubby fingers
ITS lined with silk, said the DOCTOR Dauoy'
/ shouldn't know you.
He looked down at himself in dazed way.