The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-11-26
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!: UNCLE JONES' MARNI &c. :
BY m. E. Homard. .
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ter dropped in. Mis- Dexter lived in
the road towards the village, and as
the stage went by her door twice day,
she managed to keep pretty well posted.
1t was very warm for the time of
year, and Mis- Dexter looked it; her
large fat face was redder than ever,
and her thin gray hair seemed literally
glued to her little round head.
Aunt Rosile saw her coming, and
welcomed her heartily; but Mis- Dex-
ter lust nodded. and said never word.
She made straight for the big cane
seated rocker by the sitting-room win
dow, and as she settled herself com
fortably on the soft patchwork cushion,
she gave deep sigh OF content.
Aunt Rosille hurried in after her, and
handed her the big palm-leaf fan bound
round with turkey red. Then she set
tied herself primly on the very edge
of Uncle Jones rush bottomed chair,
and waited for the news that she felt
sure was coming. II must be some
thing out of the ordinary that would
30 hurry and disturb calm, easy-going
Mis- Dexter so early on spring morn
ing.
Mis- Dexter paused only to get her
breath Then she said, eagerly: Have
you heard the news?"
NO; what?" Aunt Rosille leaned
forward expeetantly.
"Elder Brewsters dead. He died yes
terday morning"
"An' what'n become of pore Mis-
Brewster an the children? Where'll
they live?'
Deacon Foster says he'll let EN- have
the old Cobb place, if the other members
III take hold an help. Seems as if there'd
ought to be enough folks who'd put
their hands in their pockets. The elder
was a general favorite." Mis- Dexter
leaned back comfortably and famed
herself slowly two or three times. AN
came round this mornin' to see what
Uncle Jones'll do"
Aunt Rosille's thin brown face looked
drawn and anxious. and she began to
finger her bingham apron nervously.
I'll do my level best with him, Mis-
Dexter. but you know Arson as well as
i q.
do my level best with him. an I'll give
sutbin' from my egg an butter money"
Aunt Rosille folded her thin, bony
hands so tightly that the swollen veins
seemed tied in great knots. Mis- DeX
ter's mild, pleasant face looked the
sympathy she did not dare express,
and she famed herself vigorously two
or three times.
eyes. | know" she said, softly, but
1 guess he'll come round all right. Men
i6lks generally do. Shall | speak to
&o,-o will you"
"Oh. let me-" said Aunt Rosille. hur-
riedly. He might refuse you, an he's
as set as the everlasting hills"
After Uncle Jones had eaten a warm
supper and settled himself comfortably
by the fire, Aunt Rosille preached the
subject. mis- Dexter was over this
forenoon" Uncle Jones grunted
Rrl0y. "An' she said Elder Brewster
was dead, an ID Brewster an the
children are comm back here to live.
Deacon Fosters goin' to let them have
the old Cobb place"
Uncle Jones looked intently inter-
ested, but he said never a word.
AN Mis- Dexter wanted to know if
we couldn't help EN- little. All the
members are goin' to give suthin'."
"Well. let EN-" growled out Uncle
Jones. "They may if they wanter, but
1 don't see as I'm called on to pervide."
He leaned back with an air as if he had
thoroughly exhausted the subject.
Aunt Rosille sighed and kept quiet.
She knew better than to argue with
Uncle Jones.
The next morning Uncle Jones was
more tactiturn than ever. Aunt Rosille
noticed it thankfully. She hoped his
conscience was troubling him; but, be-
ing a wise woman. she held her peace.
Monday morning Mis- Dexter stopped
at the door on her way to the village.
81 thought I'd run in a minute an let
you know they're goin' to give Mis-
Brewster donation party next Thurs
day evenin', an you must be sure an
come
As Aunt Rosille watched her down the
road, rshe made up her mind that some
thing must be done. 1t was already
Monday, and none too early to begin on
Uncle Jones if he was going to the party
Thursday. He was very fond of warm
biscuit. so Aunt Rosille stirred up
batch for his supper, and after Uncle
Jones had eaten heartily and seemed at
peace with all mankind she began gen
tly:
mis- Dexter dropped in a minute this
mornin on her way to the village"
Uncle Jones glanced up suspiciously.
and his dark wriukled face clouded
"She said Mis- Brewster's goin' to have
donation party Thursday night and
they want us to go.
Uncle Jones face grew darker. He
had hoped that the Brewster matter
was settled that it had slipped Aunt
Rosille's mind. but he ought to have
known her better.
What shall we carry? can spare
some yarn an butter, an can't you let
'em have some -four an meal. or some
pork? Anythng'll come handy where
there's GROWN boys"
Uncle Jones pushed his chair back
with such thud that the very windows
ratified. Whats the use talkin. Ro-
sille? You know | don't believe indo-
nation parties. an | don't believe in
givin'. | think lis everyone's duty to
look out for himself. BESIDES | amt
got nothin TO spare"