The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-10

real good cry" She had set her heart
upon going, and she wanted Uncle Jones
! to go and give something.
In. few minutes she wiped her eyes
and began to clear away the dishes
| Aunt Rosille was not one of those who
give up easily, and she had by no means
given up all hopes of going Thursday;
Her mind was busy at work, and she
was thinking over what he had said
when a ray of hope illumined her
! shrewd brown face. Z
He said if he didn't sleep nights he'd
give suthip,. Well, he sha 81! She
shut heFNthin lips firmly together and
Looked all around. No one was in sight
Uncle Jones was very fond of cold tea,
and he always drank all that was left
Every night just before going to bed he
went into the buttery, ate little some
thing and took good drink of cold tea.
| Aunt Rosille knew this, and she had
made up her mind that he should have
plenty of tea, and that it should be as
| strong as it could be made. If that
didn't keep him awake nothing would.
| After the chores had all been done
and everything locked up for the night
| Uncle Jones wound the clock and went
into the buttery for something to eat.
He looked all around, and finally took
a piece of custard pie and some cold
tea. There was an unusual quantity OF
| tea, and it tasted so good that Uncle
Jones drank it down to the very last
| drop. After he had eaten all he wanted
! he took his candle and went upstairs to
| bed. Aunt Rosille seemed asleep and
/ he was glad of it. He didn't feel like
talking, least of all with Aunt ROsille.
His conscience was troubling him. He
knew that he ought to do something for
Elder Brewster's family, but he hated
to; he fairly dreaded to give away the
things, and he couldn't bear to give
| in. He thought it all over for a long
time; then he tried to put it out of his
mind and go to sleep, but he did not
feel sleepy. He twisted and turned, but
his eyes refused to stay shut.
! He got up the next morning tired and
sleepy. Aunt Rosille did not seem to
notice anything, and Uncle Jones felt
relieved. He could not get the Brew
sters out of his head all day Long. They
came to him out in the fields, in the
barn and even in the garden. Aunt
Rosille seemed just the same as ever;
she moved round just as briskly, and
nothing seemed to weigh on her mind,
and she never even mentioned the do
nation party.
Tuesday might Uncle Jones prepared
to have a good nights rest, but again
The felt wakeful. He Slipped out of bed
and got something to eat, hoping that
it would put him to sleep, but it was of
no use.
Wednesday morning came. He felt
all used up and thoroughly miserable.
Finally, as last resort, he resolved to
confide in Aunt Rosille.
81 don't know what's got into me,
Rosille," he said, plaintively. 81 can't
seem to sleep nights. I didn't sleep any
last night, or the night before, an if
1 don't sleep some soon l don't know
what'll ever become of me. Iwish you'd
fix me up some bitters; perhaps I'd feel
better. I feel all run down.
II think it's your conscience, Anson,' -
put in Aunt Rosille, mildly, 'for not
helpin' Mis- Brewster. I've heard of
just such cases."
Uncle Jones didn't say word, but he
shut the door quickly and went out to
the barn. Aunt Rosille went up into
the attic and looked over her herbs.
She smiled once or twice, and seemed in
excellent spirits.
Along in the middle of the afternoon
she slipped on her things and ran over
to Mis- DeXter's to talk over the party
Uncle Jones took a good dose of his
bitters that night, and his spirits rose
for he felt sure that now he should have
some sleep. But no! Along towards
morning he woke up Aunt Rosille GIVE
stood it just as long as 1 can; an I'm
afraid I'm goin' to die. I can't seem
to get any sleep night or day. Nothin
seems to hit my case; an I can't last
long like this" He gave deep groan
Aunt Rosille smiled to herself in the
darkness, but she kept perfectly STILL
"Ain't you goin' to get up an git me
suthin' to take?'' inquired Uncle Jones
reproachfully. Aunt Rosille sat ur
straight in the bed.
81 don't think I can help you, Arson
Medicine won't reach your case. It's
my honest opinion that it's your con
science troublin' you because you won't
do anything for pore Mis- Brewster an
the children" She waited minute
but Uncle Jones was silent. II think il
you'd make up your mind to do your
duty, you'd rest easy nights, an don't
believe you ever will till you do
Uncle Jones groaned. "You wouldn't
miss bag of meal an side of pork
Uncle Jones gave another groan-even
deeper that before. can 'twould d.,
a sight of good. If you'll make ul
your mind to do it, I'll do my level best
by you; but it's my solemn belief you'll
never sleep peaceful again till you do
Uncle Jones was silent, and Aunt
Rosille resolutely lay down. In a few
minutes she heard him say, in feeble
voice:
I'll do anything, Rosille, if you'll
i only git up an help me. I'll even give
!, 'cm bushel of potatoes"
Aunt Rosille was all attention. "Be.
sides the meal an the pork?"
Eyes, I'll do even that" said Uncle
Jones, desperately.
Aunt Rosille got up Immediately and
4 went downstairs. In few minutes she
was back with cup of hot catnip tea
There, Arson, drink this It'll do yor
good, an put you to sleep, I'm sure, nov