The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1897-11-12

she followed him closely.
IF you can't spare a little suthin' to
the widow an orphan, you'd ought to
be ashamed of yourself, Arson Jones
'Tain't as if you hadn't it. You've got
it an to spare. Besides, it's your boun-
den duty, an l don't see how you can
sleep nights till you dol"
swell, when 1 don't, Rosille, we'll
zee" He opened the door and went
Out to the barn. Aunt Rosille threw
her apron over her head, and had a
"real good cry" She had set her heart
upon going, and she wanted Uncle Jones
to go and give something.
In a 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.
He said if he didn't sleep nights he'd
give suthin'. Well, he sha'n't! She
shut her thin lips firmly together and
looked all around. No one was in sight.
She went into the buttery and carefully
shut the door.
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
la 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 RosilIe 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 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 night Uncle Jones prepared
to have a good nights rest, but again
he 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 a 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. didn't sleep any
last night, or the night before, an if
l don't sleep some soon l don't know
what'n ever become of me. Iwish you'd
fix me up some bitters; perhaps I'd feel
better. I feel all run down."
81 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. |
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 |
he woke up Aunt Rosille. I've |
stood it just as long as 1 can; an I'm
afraid I'm goin' to die. l can't seem
to get any sleep night or day. Nothin'
seems to hit my case; an l 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,
Aunt Rosille sat up
straight in the bed.
Il don't think can help you, Anson
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. 81 think if
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 a bag of meal an a side of pork"
Uncle Jones gave another groan-even
deeper that before. can 'twould do
a sight of good. If you'll make up
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 few
minutes she heard him say, in a feeble
7oice:
"I'Il do anything, Rosille, if you'll
only git up an help me. I'll even give
en- a bushel of potatoes"
Aunt Rosille was all attention. "Be-
sides the meal an the pork2''
ayes, I'll do even that" said Uncle
Jones, desperately.