The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-28
.June's Cucumbers,

Even the speckled old hen seemed TO
feel that something was wrong. she had
stopped her busy scratching In the emp
pile and stood turning her head from size
10 side and blinking her eyes She had
Just spoken TO Mother Dobney IN her
most persuasive tone of voice, but haV-
ing received no answer she mumbiing
her complaints to herself, as If she felt
the slight.
Mother Dobney stood outside OF the
kitchen door where the mOrning-glorics
grew. She was wiping her milkpans and
standing them in a dazzling row along The
bench by the well-hOusc Her usually
rudy beaming face wore doleful eS-
preston, and she had nodded her head
30 vigorously that her Bingham sunbon-
net was tilted far over TO one side i'm
parting a wilted look TO her head.
II wasn't really Mother DObneys fault
that she neglected to chirp cheerily to
the speckled hen or TO rattle the pans
as merrily as was her custom. For there
was a heavy load on her big, warm heart.
That very morning old DR.. Sloane had
stopped his white-faccd horse at the gate,
aud had come up the shady path, ADJUST
ing the green grape leaves in the top OF
his old spint hat His face had looked
very sober indeed
"Worse and worse" he said TO Mother
Dobney: 'ths morning the Dodds twins
and Nance Newman are down"
"Dearie me- dearie me-" sighed Moth
or Dobney, wiping her steaming hands on
her apron. What air we comm tor
Trouble is | can't get nurses enough
for the sick ones. There's poor old Aunt
Rachel'-and the doctor shook his head
I'm afraid she can't get through the
night-and no one 10 stay with her, eth
err"
The tears came into Mother Dobneys
eyes. but she dashed them away vigorous
ly.
I'm go down, coctor." she said. ener-
mo. no." was the firm reply You're
needed at the Whittakers. They can't
spare you"
All this time June had been standing at
her mothers side listening TO the CONVEX
sation. Now her eyes frightened up with
sudden inspiration.
Mother. let me go. l can watch with
Aunt Rachel as wells any one.
"Why. child, you don't know what
you're talkin' about" said Mother Dob
ney.
But after the Doctors old horse h.d
gone around the corner Mother DObney
began to think OF what June had said.
And that was why she didn't answer the
speckled hen and that was why her
checkered sunbonnct was all awry.
The fever which had been raging in
Hudson all this warm July weather had
not yet invaded the Dobney home al
though Mother Dobney daily dreaded its
coming. She herself had been "settin'
up with the sick night after night. but
June and George and little Susan had
been kept closely at home.
IT'S riskn' "A good deal TO let 'cm
breathe the air" Mother Dobney had
said
But there was poor old Aunt Rachel
lying all alone in her little cottage and
dyillg. perhaps for want OF care. Ii went
straight 20 Mother DObncys heart. And
then Junes offer TO 20 came 20 her.
Its sCssing OF Providence she sale
TO herself that We haven't been strck-
en-. An / s'pose It's our natural duty TO
look after an care for them that are
afflicted"
But she shook her head sorrowfully
when she saw June coming out on the
porch whstling as chcer!iy as bird.
II hope the LOrd'll guide me- she said.
That afternoon. when old DR.. Sloane
Doctor" she asked. do you think
June could stay with Aunt Kachel?'
The doctors face lighted up.
ITS risking something" he said "but
the need II great June's a good. sensible
girl. and think she could do IT, III be
there TO get her started
Old Aunt Rachel lived under the hill.
close by the mill dam. in small frame
cottage, with suniowers growing rank
about II and little shed behind. where
tho chickens ana the ducks were kept
There Aunt Rachel had made her home
for great many ycars-aunt TO the
whole noighborhoOd. but related 20 no
one Shs was a simple. kindly old soul.
alwayp helping and being helped. Hud-
son Was better because she lived I'm il.
Since tho fever had broke out Aunt
Rachel had nursed faithfully from house
20 house until she. too. had taken sick.
she probably viii not live until morn