Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-04-02
DADDY JOHNS CLOTHES.


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 into some
thing meant for smile.
"The doctor woman's bar'l hes
comet he said.
II seen it on julie Fraleys wagon
replied Liz, her dark, weather-beater
face lighting.
Come 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 croalsed.
II red it er ridin' Pomp," declared
Bud.
"You git it mighty quick" said his
mother.
Bud brought a tattered sheepskin,
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.
''I've got ter hey 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 | cayn't never git him
moan
s'Bud kin git erlong,' said the old
man. testify.
Don't Yer reckon the doctor wom-
ans got clo'es in her bar'l?" asked Liz.
81 reckon. But mebby Their amt
nary thing fer me-
eff you should go up thar"
II 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.
at cont differ. ] amt er goin!"
Daddy John went out.
ssDad al'ays wus er fool" unused Liz,
as she lit her pipe.
"You go an help yer grandad pick
up taters,- she called to Bud.
Bud. sarn,ering lazily toward the
potato bank, saw somebody swinging
along do.n the mountain toward the
cabin
.Thars the doctor woman's niger
err comm after you, grandad,' he
called.
Daddy John set his spade down hard
nd leaned forward on the handle.
&c min after me? You'se plum
dit BUD"
Blu, 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?"
II reckon
Tie was shaking all over and felt SICK.
Got some pcrmaters yit, daddy
CT me some, want a permater pie,
does"
"Yis. Wis" said the old man, shortly.
"Doctor wants you to come up thar,
daddy. She's got sumfin fer you'se
outcn her bar'l"
"Yessum. I'll come after ! gifts my
taters done banked up
Sally started off with her tomatoes.
"Tell her I'm obleeged to her" called
laddy's cracked voice.
s.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
a.ldy John went on with his work.
saint you er goin', grandad"
cried Bud.
"Yis, Tn er goin' right now"
re toddled off to the cabin, washed
his hands at the porch and dried them
On 4 bit of burlaps. The doctor was
wa tching for the old man. He gave
,neer pnll at his tattered hat brim as
he came near.
sHowdy. Daddy John! I'm right glad
% sec You. Come in"
He stood at the edge of the hearth,
yazing at the barrel. The doctor
smiled.
"Your hat is getting pretty old,
daddy. The brim is torn and there's
;uch big hole in the crown"
"Yessum! It's plum worn out, sure
nuff."
ssNever mind" said the doctor. X
nave such a nice cap for you," show
ng IL to him. shade of soft fur and
With ear lappets to tie down"
The old face altered. It lost ten
weary years.
"Try it on, daddy! Now, is it not
lice? You won't freeze your poor ears
his winter"
sNo, ma'am. Thank'ee, ma'am.
eckon I'd better go now"
'.Wait bit. You need some shoes,
daddy. Here are some good ones"
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