The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-12-10
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: UNCLE JONES' WARNING. f:
BY %. e. Houard. E
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A INT ROSILLE. had Just cleared

ter dropped in. Mis- Dexter l1Ved III
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
wear. and Mis- Dexter looked it; hel
large fat face was redder than ever
and her thin gray hair seemed literally
glued to her little round head. .
Aunt Rosille saw her coming, ant
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, ano
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 fell
sure was coming. 1t must be some
thing out of the ordinary that would
so hurry and disturb calm, easy-goine
Mis- Dexter so early on spring morn
ing.
1.lis' Dexter paused only to get he,
breath. Then she said, eagerly: 'Have
YOU heard the newS?''
NO; what?" Aunt Rosille leaned
forward expectantly.
Elder Brewsters dead. He died yes
terday morning"
,rbo4.u hanor,a Of moro Mis-
Brewster an the children? Where'l
they live?''
deacon Foster says he'll let EN- have
the old Cobb place, if the other members
ii take hold an help. Seems as if thereto
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. IAN
/ came round this mornin' to see what
Uncle Jones'll do"
Aunt Rosille's thin brown face looked
drawn and anxious, and she began tc
finger her bingham apron nervOusly.
''Pll do my level best with him, Mis-
Dexter, but you know Arson as well as
| do. an you know he's near. But I'll
do my level best with him, an I'll give
suthin' 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-
tcr'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
] guess he'll come round all right. Men
folks generally do. Shall I speak to
him, or 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 warm
supper and settled himself comfortably
by the fire, Aunt Rosille preached the
subject. mis- Dexter was over this
forenoon" Uncle Jones grunted
gruffly 'An' she said Elder Brewster
was dead, an Mis- 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 'em a little. All the
members are goin' to give suthin'."
well, let 'em," 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 wise woman, she held her peace
Monday morning Mis- Dexter stopped
at the door on her way to the village
Il thought I'd run in a minute an LEI
you know they're goin' to give Mis-
Brewster a donation party next Thurs
day evenin', an you must be sure an
come"
AS Aunt Rosille watched her down the
road, she made up her mind that some
thing must be done. 1t was already
Monday, and none too early to begin OF
Uncle Jones if he was going to the party
Thursday. He was very fond of warn
biscuit, so Aunt Rosille stirred up
batch for his supper, and after Uncl,
Jones had eaten heartily and seemed a
peace with all mankind she began gen
tly:
''Mis' Dexter dropped in minute thi
mornin' On her way to the village
Uncle Jones glanced up suspiciously
and his dark wrinkled face clouded
''She said Mis- Brewster's goin' to have
donation party Thursday night, ant
they want US to CO."
Uncle Jones' face grew darker. H
had hoped that the Brewster matte
was settled, that it had slipped Aun
Rosille's mind, but he ought to hav
known her better.
what shall we carry? can spar
some yarn an butter, an can't you lie
'em have some -four an meal, or SOM
pork! Anything'll come handy wher
there's CROWN boys"
Uncle Jones pushed his chair bac]
with such thud that the very window
ratified. whats the use talkin'. Ro
sIlle? You know 1 don't believe in do
nation parties, an 1 don't believe i,
givin'. | think it's everyone's duty t
look out for himslef. Besides I aim
got nothin' to spare"
lie got up and went over to the door
Aun. hostile was "all wrought up" an,
she followed him closely.
II you can't spare little suthin' I.