The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-06-19
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
eomel" he said.
II seen it on julie Fraley's wagon"
replied Liz, her dark, weather-beaten
face lighting.
Come an eat your dinner, dad" she
added.
I'm a-comin'," quayered the old
man, lettering forward and pulling
along an old splint chair.
"Whar's thet piece er saddle
blanketP" he croaked.
81 Fed it er ridin' Pomp," declared
Bud.
''YOu git it mighty quick" said his
mother.
Bud brought a tattered sheepslin,
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 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 a heap,
pears like cayn't 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 bar'I?" asked Liz.
az reckon. But mebby Their amt
nary thing fer me-"
EFF you should go up thar"
81 amt er goin', interrupted the old
man, almost angrily. Doctor woman's
sIays 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.
sit cont differ. I amt eT goin'l"
Daddy John went out.
dad 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, sauntering lazily toward the
potato bank, saw somebody swinging
along down the mountain toward the
cabin.
''Thar's the doctor woman's niger
er comm after you, grandad," he
called.
Daddy John set his spade down hard
and leaned forward on the handle.
"C5min' after me? You'se plum
idjit Bud"
But he stared from under his shaggy
brows and breathed hard as the hand
some yellow woman came up.
''Howdy, sallyl"
"Howdy, Daddy John. Bankin' up
yer taters?"
''I reckon
he was shaking all over and felt sick
"Got some permaters yit, daddy?
CT me somel I want q 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 baT'l"
"Yessum. I'll come after gifts my
tatsrs done banked up"
Sally started of with her tomatoes.
"TeIl her Pm obleeged TO her." called
daddy's cracked voice.
''What my missis wants to throw
away good clo'es on that pore white
trash fer, I don't know" gTumbled
Sally. ME and Jake could er make
use o. all o. them things
Daddy john went on with his work.
SAINT you er goin', gran dad?"
cried Bud.
4 teJ ~ CT gum zig III uUWs
BE toddled off to the cabin, washed
his hands at the porch and dried them
On bit Of burlsps. The doctor was
watching for the old man. He gave a
queer pull at his tattered hat bOim as
be came near.
"Howdy, Daddy John! I'm right glad
Sr, sar ,,oy1 ,1ogsle 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 there's
such a big hole in the crown"
"Yessumi It's plum worn out. sure
'nuR."
Never mind" said the doctor. 81
have such nice cap for you." shsrw-
ing il to him. made Of soft fur and
with ear iappets TO tie down"
The old face altered. It lost ten
weary years.
Try It on, daddyl Now, is it not
Rices You won't freeze yoer poor ears
this winter"
No, ma'am. Fhank'ee, na'am. J
reckon I'd better 60 now"
wait a bit. You need some Bhocs.
sa9ays Hers sEs soms-good oass