Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-14
CROOK NECK SQUASH
PATTERN
AN ELOQUENT LESSON FOR HUs-
BANDS AND FATHERS.
BY HARRIET CARYL COX.


The last OF the load had been
bundled onto the wagon and little Jed
stood holding the horse, which was a
bit impatient.
''You won't forget, will you, father?
We really amt got nothing to our
backs, and it's disgrace. I've made
over till there amt anything left to
make over, and amt got nothing but
what I've got on, 'cept my black
dress, and the girls are all worse off
yet. And Susie hasn't been to Sunday
school for three Sundays cause she
don't look decent, and her teachers s
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 yank. 1t was
exasperating to have to be bothered
with women and their fxings. He
didn't see why they didn't look we'll
enough. OF course 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 lie were such
q bad-looking chap after all
Well, perhaps he had better get
something for Susie. This last crop
was an extra heavy one ana he had
made good deal out of it, and SO he
might as we'll be generous and get all
his wife asked for. There was moth
ing stingy about him. No, Sir.
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 heavy bundle
Mt her feet and watched her as she
knelt down to open it.
Her eyes glowed as one knot after
another gave way 1t was 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 slippel off the string
and pulled off the wrapper.
The children crowded around her.
'Isnt that fine enough to suit
you?"
Mr.. Hollic chuckled exultantly as
he leaned owe. anl catching hold of
an end unrolled yards and yards OF
stout cotton. 1t was bright yellow
ground with black figure running
over it.
--latest pattern" he exclaimed with
pride. "The girl called it palm leaf,
but 1 told her twas crook -necked
aluashes or / was no farmer, SO /
bought the whole piece. Thought I
might just as we'll, and got good
bit knocked Off
'Don't you 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 well. 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 bit grateful. 1t
was provoking.
The following Sunday the entire
Hollis family appeared in church.
Mr.. Hollis had gone early that he
might see neighbor about haying the
next morning, and he stood with q
group of men and boys about the
church door. He was suddenly con
scious that the men were losing inter
est in his account of certain SHARP
transaction whereby he had been the
gamer.
He turned. His family was enter
ing the church. Mrs. Hollis and the
n \ Al