Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-02-06
DADDY JOHNS CLOTHES.

Johns cabin, and there was still q
great bed of glowing Goals when his
daughter Liz called him to dinner.
Daddy warmed his thin, blue hands
at the fire and the sweet smell of the
corn pone and the fragrance Of. the
coffee were very pleasant to him. His
old, wizened face wrinkled iuto some
thing meant for a smile.
''Thc doctor woman's ba1I hes
come!" he said. o.. ~"
81 seen it on julie Fraley's wagon"
replied Liz, her dark, weather-beaten
face lighting. 90. -,
"Comc an eat your dinner, dad" she
added.
I'm a-comin'," quavered the old
man, lettering forward and pulling
along an old splint chair.
"Whar's tibet piece er saddle
blanket?" he croak"d.
81 led it er ridin' Pomp,' declared
Bud.
"You git it mighty quick" said his
mother.
Bud brought a tattersd sheepsk1n,
which the old man carefully folded in
the chair and then sat down.
That part of Daddy Johns apparel
which came in contact with the sheep
skin was so attenuated as to fabric
that the interposition of the worn fleece
was most comforting.
1--WE got ter hev some new cloes,
Liz" said Daddy, presently.
She looked at Bud.
bud wants some new clo'es power
full bad, too, but he eats sech heap,
pears like I caynt never git him
moan"
"Bud kin git erlong," said the old
man, testify.
Don't yer reckon the doctor wom-
ans got clo'es in her barl?" asked Liz.
81 reckon. But mebby Their amt
nary thing fer me-"
EFF you should 60 up thar"
81 amt er goin," interrupted the old
man, almost angrily. "Doctor woman's
al'ays 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.
She's got plenty of everything"
said Liz, sullenly.
"It cont differ. l amt er goin'!"
Daddy John went out.
"Dad al'ays wus er fool!" unused Liz,
as she lit her pipe.
"You go an hep yer grandad pick
up taters," she called to Bud.
Bud, sauntering lazily toward the
potato bank, saw somebody swinging
along down the me untain toward the
cabin.
"Tlar's the doctor wolnan's niger
er comm after you, grandad," he
called.
Daddy John set his spade down hard
end leaned forward on the handle.
"Comin' after me? You'se a plum
sdjit BUD"
But he stared from under his shaggy
brows and breathed hard as the hand
some yellow woman came up.
"Howdy, SALLY"
"Howdy, Daddy John. Bankin' up
yer taters?"
81 reckon"
He was shaking all over and felt sick
Got some permaters yit, daddy
Gil me some! I want permater pie,
! does" .
"Yis, yis," said the old man, shortly.
doctor wants you to come up thar,
daddy. She's got sumfn fer you'se
outen her bar'l."
"Yessum. I'll come atSer gifts my
taters done banked up"
Sally started off with her tomatoes.
''Tell her I'm obleeged TO her." called
daddy's cracked voice.
what my missis wants to throw
away good clo'es on that pore white
trash fer, l don't Know" grumbled
Sally. ME and Jake could er make
use O. all G them things"
Daddy John went on with his work
saint you er goin', grandad?'
cried Bud.
''Yis, I'm er goin' right now"
He toddled off to the cabin, washed
his hands at the porch and dried then
on bit of burlars. The doctor wa.
watching for the old man. He gave q
queer pull at his tattered hat brim as
he came near.
'Howdy, Daddy JohnI I'm right glac
to see you. Come in"
He stood at the edge of the hearth
gazing at the barrel. The doctor
smiled.
"Your hat is getting pretty old
daddy. The brim is torn and theret
such big hole in the crown"
"fcssum! It's plum worn out, sur,
'nuff."
Never mind" said the doctor. I"
have such nice cap for you," show
ing IL to him. shade of soft fur ant
with ear lappets to tie down"
The old face altered. 1t lost ter
weary years.