The Opelousas courier., 1899-11-18
CROOK NECK SQUASH
=. PATTERN
An ELOQUENT LESSON FOR HIS.
BANDS AND FATHERS.
BY HARRIET cARYL COX.

We really amt got nothing to oul
backs, and it's a disgrace. I've made
over till there amt anything left to
make over, and l amt got nothing but
what I've got on, 'cept my black
dress, and the girls are all worse of
yet. And Susie hasn't been to Sunday
school for three Sundays cause she
don't look decent, and her teachers
been here inquiring. It's kind o
notifying"
Mrs. Hollis voice was full of
apology as she accompanied her hus-
band down the gravel walk. He
scowled but made no reply as he took
the reins from Jed and sprang into
the wagon.
"You must get something for the
girls, anyhow" his wife's voice in
sisted as he drove away.
He gave the lines a yank. It was
exasperating to have to be bothered
with women and their filings. He
didn't see why they didn't look we'll
enough. Of cours they weren't
dressed expensive-it wasn't proper
that farmers families should be-but
there wasn't any need of making such
q fuss.
The Sunday school teacher had been
there? He remembered her. She al
ways smiled at him and made him
wonder to himself if he were s 1ch
q b%ad-looking chap after all.
Well, perhaps he had better get
something for Susie. This last crop
was an extra heavy one ana lie had
made a good deal out Of it, and SO he
might as we'll he generous and get all
his wife asked for. There was moth
ing stingy about him. No, ST..
He smiled complacently as he drove
into the village.
"You can't say but what I've done
the handsome thing by you this time"
Mr.. Hollis remarked proudly to his
wife, as he threw down a heavy bundle
at her feet and watched her as she
knelt down to open it.
Her eyes glowed as one knot after
another gave way. It.was a long time
since she had undone a store bundle.
She did not want to be in too much
hurry after wanting it so bad. Her
husbands voice was a bit aggressive.
She hastily slipped off the string
and pulled off the wrapper.
The children crowded around her.
"Isn't that fine enough to suit
your"
Mr.. Hollis chuckled exultantly as
he leaned over and catching hold of
an end unrolled yards and yards of
stout cotton. It was a bright yellow
ground with a black figure running
over ii.
--latest pattern" he exclaimed with
pride. "The girl called it palm-leaf,
but I told her twas crook-necked
squashes or I was no farmer, So I
bought the whole piece. Thought I
might just as we'll, and I got a good
bit knocked of.
Don't yol like it, eh?" abruptly,
glancing at the downcast face of his
wife. cit was dreadful economical,
you see, cause when one dress begins
to wear out you can mend it with
another and so keep things going
pretty we'll. And there won't nobody
else have anything like it, cause that
is all there is.
"Great scheme, that"
He chuckled again hoarsely to him.
self as he stamped away.
She didn't seem a bit grateful. It
was provoking.
The following Sunday the entire
Hollis family appeared in church.
Mr.. Hollis had gone early that he
might see a neighbor about haying the
next morning, and he stood with a
group of men and boys-auudun the
church door. He was suddenly Hon-
scious that the men were losing iIIseer-
est in his account of a certain sharp
transaction whereby he had been lahe
gamer. 4
He turned. His family was essssr.
ing the church. Mrs. Hollis aid the
four girls led the way. They a wore
their new dresses. They were made
exactly alike. The three boys follow
cd.
A soft laugh loated across the vesti-
bule as they passed into the church.
"AH off one piece" woman's voice
whispered. Don't they look too
much like a charitable institution"
!, There was a chorus Of giggles. Mr..
Hollis strobe into the church and
glanced hastily at the boys. They
were just settling themselves into the
family pew. There was no crook-neck
squash pattern visible on them. He
breathed a sigh of relief as he walked
up the aisle.
The sermon was unusually dry that
morning. Or possibly Mr.. Hollis
mind was not upon it. Almost uncon-
sciously from the corner OF his eve he
could e the five figures in their vel.
low gowns. Elias was becoming. It
just suited her dark hair and red
cheeks, but poor Susie looked sick
and thin. He had never before noticed
how peaked the child a It must
be she was not well. His heart har-
dened with indignation at his wife for
not telling him. A man ought to
know about his family. If she needed
q doctor he guessed he could afford to
have one. He wasn't a poor man. He
never begrudged his family anything!
He glanced at Sarah. She was the
Oldest. Her eyes were downcast and
her cheeks a vivid red. Mrs. Hollis
was looking at the minister. Little
Bessie had fallen asleep and her yellow
shoulders rested in Elias yellow lap.
bis eyer wandered beyond to tie