The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-05-14
Idasher speaking dubiously. "mi,t TEN

clear hke.
81 dunno, sirs," replied the woman.
SIN old, an can't get abaat much, an
my things amt o. the fust class, an
since tn big shops opened few folks
cum near me, an'-an' there's no tellin'
as I'd ever be able ter pay. Maybe I'd
only get farther i TIL mire like. !
dunno what ter say"
The cheeks of Amos Atkin were
blown out to their fullest extent. His
eyes bulged forward, and his fat hands
played nervously with his heavy silver
"ProbIy," he said with burst, "sum
on yer i'll think me fool like, but
but-well, it amt Christian as we
should send Mrs. Morris here utter tn
union. You does just what yer likes,
but 1 withdraws my claim for tn rent.
maybe luney, but-well,
theer t isl" and he sank back in his
chair as though his soul had been re-
lieved of burden.
81 doant think as that's exactly bust
ness" said Tuckwell. ''It's what they
calls a bad precedent; an yet-yet ]
may say it shows good spirit. I'm
thinkin' as maybe I'd not miss tn little
mite Mrs. Morris owes me, an'-an' ii
the rest ill do tn same, we'll just call
it square,"
'T'm hanged if I'm going to be out
done by any rantin' Methody local" ex-
claimed Needham. trying to drive his
fists farther into his breeches pockets,
'an' states or no states, we'll wipe 'ern
out"
Its like emo I'll get a DANCED good
wiggin' when get 'ome from tn owd
man." put in young Horton, but if he
can't spare the price of half ton of
coal, well, he's a thick 'un."
The four men twisted uneasily on
their chairs.
They had each been guilty of fool
ish act, but each had the consolation
that he was not alone
San what say you, Mester Catsby?'
inquired Bill Needham.
sit strikes me as Trentboro' ill be
hevin' laugh at us as lot o. milk
'eaded, soft-'earted--oh, no offence, Mes
ter Needham, but yer knaws what Rob-
son, an Teddy Russell, an them there
ill have ter say in the White Deer when
they ears ont. Well niver be done
wit, an we'll be chaffed as no folks iver
was" =
'Many man doesn't do what is cart
tells i'm a'cause he's afeared o. bein'
laughed at" said the preacher.
'1'm not thinkin' as how anybody
should know owt abaat it," said Need
ham. eff we hou'd our clap, no folks
ill be owt wiser"
that's trew," answered the haber
dasher, ''an' I'm willin' ter join in, pro
vidin' Tiers nowt said abaat it."
swell, we amt SIGH fools as ter gle
folks chance o. laughin"." said the
other. eat least, / amt"
Lawyer Spencer made a mild objec
ton, but he was promptly overruled
"Then, gentlemen, may take it thi:
meeting is dissolved without the credi
tors coming to any decision?"
Jest as yer like, mester," said Tuck
well. but I'm thinlin' we've cum to 1
decision all t'same."
Never once had Martha Morris raiset
her head. She was conscious enough o.
the conversation, and she knew that he
lot was to be the workhouse after all
81 thank you, sirs; I'm 'ternal obliget
ter yer;s' she said in her thin voice
which had no softness in it.
SAN I thinks it's abaat time I clear
off ter my tea," said Needham, rising
and stretching himself.
For few minutes the men stood talk
ing on the pavement. The old woman
slipped by them. There was no colo
in her cheek, not even a CLEAN of bright
ness in her eye. She ambled across tn
Market place and down Church lane.
81 was thinkin' We was i'll, Mrs. Nor
wonderin' why tn shutters was up"
ooh, I'had bit o. business, an
course there was nobody as / coul,
leave ter look after TIL place"
She went into her kitchen and tool
off her bonnet with the faded lace. Sh
stirred up the fire and put on the kei
tie. Then she went round to the from
and lifted down the shutters.
"What has ter be, nun be-" she NUT
tered to herself.
There was the usual gathering O
tradesmen that night in the bar parlo
at the White Deer.
'Hev yer card that old Martha Morri
'es broke at last?" said Robson tn
butcher.
swell, there's no wonder" said Mix
Wainwright, the saddler, from his COZ
ner. 81 suppose you've been let in fu
bit, Mester Atkin?"
Amos Atkin as usual blew out hi
cheeks. II doant know as hev," b
prevaricated.
"She'll be OWN you summat, Neet