Griggs courier., 1897-11-12
: UNCLE JONES' WARNING. !;
! BY %. e. Homard.

bright spring morning, when Mis- Dex-
ter dropped in. Mis- Dexter lived in
the road towards the village, and as
the stage went by her door twice day.
sshe managed to keep pretty well posted.
It was very warm for the time Of
Year. e:a Mis- Dexter looked it; her
large fat face was redder than ever,
and her thin gray hnir seemed literally
glued to her little round head.
Aunt Rosille saw her coming, and
welcomed her heartily; but Mis- Dex-
ter just nodded. and said never a word.
She made straight for the big cane
seated rocker by the sitting-room win
dow. and as she settled herself COM
fortabiy- on the soft patchwork cushion,
she gave a deep sigh of content.
gAunt 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
SIRE was coming. 1t must be some
thing out of the ordinary that would
so 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?"
mo; what?" Aunt Eosille leaned
forward expectantly.
Elder Brewstcr's 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 'em have
the old Cobb place. if the other members
III take hold an help. Seems as if thcre'd
ought to be enough folks who'd put
their hands in their pockets. The elder
was general favorite." Mis- Dexter
leaned back comfortably and famed
herself slowly two or three times. "An'
came round this mornin' to see what
Uncle Jonesll do"
Aunt Rosille's thin brown face. looked
drawn and anxious. and she began to
finger her gingham apron nervously.
''i'll do my level best with him, Mis-
Dexter. but you know Anson as well as
I 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-
1cr's mild. pleasant face looked the
sympathy she did not dare express,
and she tanned herself vigorously two
or three times.
...Ies. know" she said. softly. but
guess he'll come round all right. Men
folks generally do. Sball 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 a warm
supper and settled himself comfortably
2,y the fire. Aunt Rosille broached the
subject. Mis- Dexter was over this
forenoon" Uncle Jones grunted
rrufay. "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-
cs.cd, but he said never word.
"An' Mis- Dexter wanted~to know if
wc couldn't help 'cm little. All the
members are goin' to give suthin'."
We'll, let 'em." growled out Uncle
Jones. "They may if they wanter. but
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.
hn hat - Vrif1,
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 o wise woman. she held her peace.
Monday morning Mis- Dexter stopped
a: the door on her way to the village.
II thought I'd run in 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 Rosilie watched her down the
road. she made up her mind that some
shing 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 a
batch for his supper. and after Uncle
Jones had eaten heartily and seemed at
reace with all mankind she began gen.
1ly:
Mis- Dexter dropped in 4 minute this
,norn;n' on her way to the village"
Uncle Jones glanced up suspiciouslv.
and his dark wrinkled face clouded.
''She said Mis- Brewstcr's goin' to have a
donation party Thursday night. and
they want us to 60"
Uncle Jones' face grew darker. He
had hoped that the Brewster matter
>vas 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
7em have some flour an meal. or some
pork? Anything'll come handy where
there's growin' boys"