Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-04-16
II. Nj. 4. B.
ny ANNIE n. DoNNEr.I..

oh. NJ. +. u What In the world
do those letters mean ?" unused Annnh,
That's just what I'd like to know"
Aunt Ursula exclaimed. peeripg at the
letters through her glnsses. They were
set down, tiny and cleor-cut. opposite
one Of April's days i'm the almanac.
There was cabalistic mir about them.
~ wrote 'em there 10 put me In mind
OF something. but can't for the life of
me recollect whatl" Aunt Ursula's be-
nign. creased face took on added cr~aaea
of perplexity. She reread the letters
slowly, refiectively. "H.-M.-F.-B."
''lt might be Her Majesty's Female
Brigadiers. you know. or Fire brigade"
suggested Annah. IL feel sure it'a her
majesty's something.-
at - mt be Harry McTntyr and
Philip Bump retorted Aunt Ursula,
calmly. II was home thrust, aud An
nah subsided into sudden meek ness.
Her fresh checks colorcd.
philip decent begin with an F--al-
ways" she murmurexl.
But Aunt Ursula, intent on the d.
mannc. did not heed. 81 wrote that laet
winter when ! was planning my work
ahead" she saId. 81 like 60 know lust
what TO expect on Just what dayA.
April 2l-merciful me, it's to-dayi To
days tho 21st. ns SURE ns I'm a breathing
Eoull Well. all is, the cleaning'1l have
to walt ! did plan to newspaper the
pantry shelves to-day. but aln't going
TO miss any OF the programme that's
put down."
Annah sprung up brislSly, herself
again. "Oh, ycs, Aunt Ursua--of
coursel Let's go right Oft nnd--H. NJ.
+. B. this minute. I'll help you" Her
eyes danced with fun.
"Mcrciful me, 80 bc surrl How can
we, till we know what 'tis7" cried Aunt
Ursula, In dismay. "Whnt In the name
OF common sense isi it7 H.-M.-F.-D.
II. NJ" She muaed over the letters
with knit brows.
Uncle Miles came into the room In his
stocking feet. looking for his slippcrs.
lie padded across the floor and looked
over Aunt Urhuln's shoulder.
MORE higlypherics. Ursuix2" he
asked. ."Now whnt?' Ills mild blue
eyes twinlled-
Uncle Miles. what docs III. NJ. IN
stand for2 It's something we've got 10
DO to-day. the 2Ist of April. and we don't
know howl"
Feather bcdl" announced Aunt Jrr-
Ruia, triumphonfly. That's the IF. n
part OF 1t. anyhow! OF course 'tis.
Why didn't think In the first place?
] laid out TO do II to-dsy, being sort OF
betwixt hay m grass, before the clean
Ing began IN good earnest. thought
Ia get IT, out OF the way before hot
weather. j. B.-fcather bed"
"Iier Mnjesty's Feather Bedi" cried
Annah, waving the almanac. "Just
what suspecteSll"
Uncle Miles nB1ged Aunt Ursuln's
elbow In npprecintive enjoyment OF the
girls fun. Aunt Ursula smiled absent
ly, wrestling still with her memory.
Hired man'si" she announced fur
ther. with definite triumph. ave got
TO mqke over the hired mans fen tiher
bed today. md guess I'd better be
about IT. It's all worn out" She
glanced nnxIonsly up at the clock.
"Its considerable-l late to begin thnt
kind of Job. but the new ticks all
ready. that's one thing TO be thankful
for. Annahi" Aunt Ursula looked nm
over her glasses. Her tone was en-
phatically deliberate. mark my wortlsl
" you want to make the most OF ycSIr
time, you keep things kind of ready
right along-fcather bed ,ficIss, and
everything else. And II you We laid out
TO do thing on certain. day o the
month. YOU do it'll Now III go get the
feather, bed downstairs"
Aunt Ursula lived up TO her gentle lit
tie lectures. Her work was always ar
ranged with careful method and nj
ways methodicnlIy carried ont. The
pile Of almanacs filed away on the sec
oDd left-hnnd shelf In the cupboard
held many mysterious. remindfuI let
ters and words between their covers.
and TO Aunt Drsula's credit be Il said
they rarely failed TO remind at sight.
Toe Hired Mans Feather Bed was a
notable exception.
But fate. in the small. stubby person
Of 'Doniram Cobb. interfered. win the |
nlmanac's decree. 'Dopiram Iisped. lie |
appeared. bare of foot. Of head and of |
ceremony. in the doorway.
Mother tbays to come qnickth ever
you can thcoot-rhe'th thicker'n the
dickenth. He'th ath .stiffth a poker
ft. guethf" fro.
"Merciful msY Adonirsrr Cobb. what
arc You talking about. and who?"
"Thammy-it'th him. He'th thicl>-
er'n the dickenth. Rueth you better
thcamper." 'Donirnm's sun-tleached
head disappeared from the door and his
cushioned little feet pattered out of
hearing.
Aunt Ursula took of her enron and
rolled down her sleeves. She sighesl /
once or twice gently
"Of all days" she said. Ito go and
have fit in! l'rn-real sorry for Sam
my Cobb. poor little creafares but I Go