The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-07

known that Uncle David was not the
man usually to give away to feelings.
This time he did not stop at the doc
tors office nor even at the drug store
for medicine. but hurried by both places.
and when friends ran out to inquire,
Where are you goin', David?'' he never
answered one word, but kept right on 10
the other side of the village. All eyes
watched him eagerly as he ascended the
knoll and disappeared from their sight
Soon he was seen running home again
as fast as his sturdy legs and his seventy
years would carry him. He was carrying
a small parcel, which he held in front OF
him at arms length.
Gould it be dynamite? Had David
Smith gone crazy?"
He held the parcel very carefully, as
if it contained something either very
dangerous very precious, and the vii
layers could not think for the lives of
them which it was liable to be; but it
did not retard his speed in the least; he
fairly flew down the road absolutely deaf
to all inquiring appeals that were shout
ed to him as he passed.
Old Mrs. Johnson who was on her way
to the postoffice for the weekly Center
Democrat" was almost frightened out
of her wits as she saw David Smith run
ming swiftly in the middle of the road
instead of on the sidewalk and she cried
out 10 him: rs Mis- Smith worser?" But
his only reply was a graceful wave OF
the paper parcel as he rushed on. AS
Mrs johnson happened to be nearly op-
posite the Maxon house she hurried in,
for she wanted to talk it over with some
one. Mrs. Maxon met her at the door with
a well, did you ever?" and do YOU
suppose Aunt Rebecca has had shock?'
Jim Q. Miller declared that he saw
Uncle David laugh as he passed him,
and Jim O.'s word was not to be dis
puted, for everybody knew Jim O. would
MT lie. Perhaps a fortune had come to
the Smiths from their Klondike nephew,
and in that case Uncle DAVID had a
right to laugh, or 10 run, too, il he felt
like it.
However, it was soon decided that it
was right and proper for the people of
Grafton Center to know just what was
going on at David Smiths. So. with
one accord, men, women and children set
out for the Smith house at the lower
END or the village Just as they reached
the gate they met the minister going in.
This confirmed the belief that Aunt Re-
becca must be dead-"Died suddenly
and, of course, this accounted for Uncle
Davids strange behavior, for to lose the
lifelong partner of his joys and sorrows
would probably just make the poor man
frantic with grief
The minister, sitting in his study win
dow, at work upon his Easter sermon,
had seen Brother Smiths remarkable
activity, and thought his actions rather
strange, and that they needed investiga-
ton. 1t was customary in Grafton Cen
ter to walk right in, and not to stand
on ceremony with neighbors, so in they
walk, young and old. They found Uncls
David quietly reading his paper in a big
cushioned, armed rocker, and behind his
'spec5s" was the jolliest merriest twin
kle in his bright, blue eyes, that certain
ly was never provoked there by the news
in the weekly Center Democrat" and
really his cordial greeting of welcome,
friends" was almost as if he had ex-
pected them.
Much to their establishment, Aunt Re-
becca was baking apple pies, and there
seemed to be nothing the matter at all.
Curiosity could wait no longer, and one
and all looked to the minister to seek an
explanation so he said: Brother Smith,
may / ask the reason for your running
from one end of the village 40 the other,
and then back again, as IL your lie de-
pended upon IL? Such hard working
man as you are surely Is In no need or
such violent exercised!
Uncle David" cleared his throat, then
replied, good naturally: Certainly. elder;
certainly, friends; / don't mind telling
you ALI You see. 1t is still the first week
in April and-hem-as 1t is new spring.
] thought II about time wife had new
Easter bonnet; 50 ! went up to the mil
llnery store at the upper sid$ Of the VII
lage TO get II for her. and, II hurried
in my gait more than usual. II was be-
cause / wanted 10 get Becky's bonnet
and get home with 1t before the Style
had a chance TO change"
Itta Allen Feliner.