The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-02-08
JOHNS CLOTHES.

There had been a royal fire in Daddy
Johns cabin, and there was still n
-grea: 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
Orn pOne and the fragrance of the
coffee were very pleasant to him. His
old, wizened face wrinkled into some
thing meant for a smile.
The doctor woman's b2rI hes
GOMEZ he said.
Il 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'," quavered the old
man. lettering forward and pulling
along an old splint chair.
"Whar's tibet piece er saddle
blankct?" he croakrd.
Il led it er ridin' Pomp,' declared
Bud.
You git it mighty quick" said his
mother.
Bud brought a battered shccpskin,
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 laost comforting.
I've got ger hcv some new cloes,
Liz" said Daddy. presently.
She looked at Bud.
Bud wants some new clos power
full bad, too, but lie eats sech a heap,
pears like L cayn't never git him
moan"
"Hud kin git erlong," said the old
man, testify.
Don't Yer reckon the doctor wom-
ans got clo'cs in her baTl?" asked Liz.
81 reckon. But mebby Their amt
nary thing fer me-"
"Ef you should go up thar"
81 amt cr goin',' interrupted the old
man, almost angrily. Doctor woman,s
arays been good ter we uns an l don't
aim ter AK her fer airy thing"
His feeble hands tremblcd as he took
mp his torn hat.
shes got plenty of everything"
said Liz, sullenly.
1T .ion't differ. l amt or Soin'!"
Daddy John went out.
dad al'ays wus CT 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 me untain toward the
cabin.
"TIlar'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.
"CJmin' after me? You'se a plum
-idjit 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?"
II reckon"
He was shaking all over and felt sick
"Got some permaters yit, daddy
CT me some! L want a permater pie,
] does"
"Yis, yis," said the old man, shortly.
"Doctor wants you to come up thar,
daddy. She's got sumtin fer you'sc
outen her bar1."
"Yessum. I'll come after 1 gifts my
Eaters done banked up"
Sally started off with her tomatoes.
Tell her I'm obleeeed to her." called
daddy's cracked voice.
What my missis wants I o throw
good clo'es On that pore white
trash fer, 1 don't know grumbled
Sally. "Ife and Jake could er make
use O all G them things"
Daddy John went IN with his work.
".Ain't you er goin', grandad?"
cried Bud.
"Yis, I'm err goin' righI now"
He toddled off TO the cabin, washed
his hands at the porch and dried them
on 4 bit of burlars. The doctor was
watching for the old man. He gave a
queer pull at his battered hat brim as
came near.
"Howdy, Daddy John! I'm right glad
to see you. Come in"
He stood at the edge of the hearth
gazing at the barrel. The doctor
Your hat is getting pretty old,
daddy. The brim is torn and there's
such n big hole in the crown"
sN,SSumF It's D1um worn ont cura
"Never mind" said the doctor. 81
have such a nice cap for you" show
ing it to him. "AIade of soft fur and
with ear lappets to tie down"
The old face altered. 1t lost ten
weary years. |,