The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-05-24
MISS JAMES
MEMORIAL DAY.

Il
to pieces now for one and another: an
had few carly Itneys an had to ever
pick them off for the Lewis girls. An
now, What do you want Of fowers:"
Miss Jme Smith looked the small ap
| plieant over from head to feet as she ask
cd the questioa. The boy stocd meekly
before her, and twisted the stems of some
Wild flowers round and round in his small
brown hands.
Il wanted TO take an put 'em on my
mas srave out to the cemetry. She used
to take a sight of notice Of flowers, ye
see: an evesybody's takin' 'em."
Il know, but can't see no real good in
it for my part The bible says that the
| dead don't know noth.n' that goes on un.
| der the sun, so what pleasure is the flow
ers to en-? It's jest fsshiOu-an' trou-
| blesome one, too. if the posies have to be
begged. They'd much better stay on their
| bushes. whc.e livin' folks can see 'em,
'cordin' to my opinion. Say, do you know
how to weed?'
''Yes'm; a little-in garden beds an
sech."
Cause my onion beds is a-suferin' for
want OF it since this last rain, an my arm
- lAul ldiAS Suu uO A. IL pay
you a little something. an it won't be no
| harder work for you than trudgin' out to
the graveyard in the hot sun; SO come
along"
And little Jim chaked down a rising
sob. and followed the imPerious lady
down to her cherfShed garden.
Now, mind you, don't pull off the
young onion tops, too. Boys is so care
less, all I've come acrost yet"
"YesHm," said Jimmy: III look out"
Miss Jane went back to the house. and.
taking her men5:ng basket, sat down in
a window where she could overlook her
small gardener. He had taken off his
jacket and was on his knees at work. but
frequently he raised his arm and brushed
his shirt sleeve across his eyes. Some
way, that action troabled his employer,
and. after the fashion Of people who live
much alcne, she began to talk TO herself.
Il do b'lieve that boy is cryin'. Now,
what under the sun ails hirl, wonder
Mebbe he didn't want to work, after all,
but was so glad to git holt of somebody
to do that wsedin'. Can't be he's silly
enough to cry about the flowers l
wouldn't Sttve him; boys amt so tender
hearted as all that. Mebbe he's hungry.
1 gsess Ill take hsm out bite of some
thing, an see what the matter is. for it
kind o worries me. I'm all stirred up to-
day, anyhow"
A few minutes later Jimmy was sur
prised by the offer Of a cup Of milk and a
generous piece of cake.
Set down On the step here. little hey,
an rest while you eat it. / don't think
I asked ycsI your name, did II
Nom; but It's James Lewis White"
White? Tat name sounds real fa-
nsliAr. an yet l can't think. Has your
ma been dead 4 great WHILE"
Only senoe December. She was sick
q long time: che had consumption.
oh, my. Why, l want 10 know If
that poor sufferer was your ma: Why, l
heard about her several times, an once
l sent her sorae things Why. declare!
She was a widow, they said. an nc
mecns. Was there any other children
but your
Nom. There wns Annie, but she
died when was real little-'fore pa died; !;
they're buried way OF over the river"
Il want to know! But there. l hadn't
ought to make You talk about your trou-
hles when you're tryin' to eat. Ye see.
liv;n' out of the village as l do, l lose
track Of things Where be You livin'
pow?"
With Mr. Browns folks; but don't
want to keep on a-stayin' there, cause
there's a good many of 'em, an'-aR' they
amt no call to have me. II was only
bigger 1 could git lots of places to work;
l,,% t1ar oil ont Mr.
Brown laughs an says I'll grow; he's real
good! I git Grants to do, some. an take
care Of Pete-that's the baby; he's jest
as cpnnin'."
Il want to know! Well, now you're
done eatin'. you finish that one bed, an
can you come to-mOrrer an do the 9th
erI'
..Yes'm, 1 guess kin; or I'll do it now"
No, it won't take no real hurt till
then; an it amt too late for you to go
on to the cemetery. l amt seen nobody
comm back yet. an I'll have some flow
ers all ready for you against you git that
bed done"
"Yes'm; I'll be sure TO come to-morrer
for the other. and you're awful good
Nonsense. l amt no saint, mercy
knows
Jimmy knelt again to his work, but he
did not have to draw his sleeve across his
eyes any more, for they were clear and
shining His body was refreshed; his
sore little heart was comforted, and hope
and ambition revived. And some way,
Miss Jane felt better, and went about
her syringa bushes and flower beds.
picking here and there with more good
will than she had done before that morn
ing. and when the boys work was done
she set out basin of water, soap and
towel for his use, and. giving him five
cents and the lovely bouquet, watched
him. as with flying feet he sped up the
road leading to the cemetery on his loving
errand.
Miss Jane sat down to her work again,
but her thoughts few faster than did her
needle There were few of her kindred
left. 4 long row of graves put in tnc
hillside cemetery belonged 10 her. she
sometimes went there on Sunday after
moons, and read the names and dates, and
counted up the years since the sleepcrs
fell asleep. She saw that the stones were
kept upright, and the grass moved sew
eral times esch summer: but not bios
soming bush or plant graced the spot.
Where was the use! The dead know not
anything, and yet to-day she felt dsssat-
isfied, as though she, Of all the village
and countryside had failed in having 70
spect. Even little Jim, regardless Of dis
csuragement. dust and noOntide heat. was
hnrrying to lay his tribute above his dear
dead mother, feeling in some unexplained