The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-10-28
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
UNCLE JONES' WARNING. F;
BY %. e. Houard. {


ter dropped in. Mis- Dexter lived in
the road towards the village, and as
the stage went by her door twice a 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 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
fortably on the soft patchwork cushion,
Size 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-bettomed chair,
and waited for the news that she felt
.sere 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.
EIis' Dexter paused only to get her
breath. Then she said, eagerly: "Have
you heard the news?"
mo; what?" Aunt Rosille leaned
forward expectantly.
ELDER Brewster's dead. He died yes
terday morning."
can what'Il 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
ii 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. can
1 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 gingham apron nervously.
"I'll do my level best with him, Mis-
Dexter, but you know Arson 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-
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
guess he'll come round all right. Men
folks generally do. Shall 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
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 word.
can Mis- Dexter wanted to know if
we couldn't help 'em little. All the
members are goin' to give suthin'."
''Well, 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.
She knew better than to argue with
Uncle Jones.
The next morning Uncle Jones was
more tactiturn tt an 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 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"
AsAunt Rosille watched her down the
road, she made up her mind that some
thing must be done. It 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
peace with all mankind she began gen.
tly:
Mis- Dexter dropped in minute this
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, and
they want us to CO."
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
EN- have some -four an meal, or some
pork? Anything'n come handy where
there's CROWN boys.''
Uncle Jones pushed his chair back
with such thud that the very windows
ratified. What's the use talkin', Ro-
sllle? You know don't believe in do
nation parties, an / don't believe in
glvln'. I think it's everyone's duty to
look out for himslef Besides I amt
got nothin' to spare"
de got up and went over to the door.
Aunt Rosille was "all wrought up" and
she followed him closely.