Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-07-05
Unc' SbuckS and
-. tie Witches.
BY E. f. Garnet.

1EOBIE are so tlred oil cnarlty
concerts and teas and bores
in general" Sue complained, lugubri-
ously.
''But even tired people must help
each other Mae insisted. Let us
ask Mrs. Brelle to suggest some
thing"
The pretty widow was in ham
mock, with Barnes in chatting dis
tance on the piazza steps, and she
did not welcome interruption.
"Will you?" called Joe, upon her ST.
Hence.
"Wili / what?" pouting.
s'fIeip us to help Unc' Shucks?"
sand who" only half hiding a
-yawn, lis he?"
''He is old and poor and blind" ex-
planned Mae, making her climax with
a most sweet compassion.
"And black" added practical Louise,
.'as the ace of spades"
The pretty widow looked bewitch-
-ingly reproachful. mo country poor
house?" she murmured.
a rather chilled silence fell upon
The piazza group. Macs sensitive face
flushed. Barnes went up the steps to
her side.
''We cannot spare old Shucks to go
There" ,"he said, and enviously watched
n fleck of moonlight bending to the
nipples of her hair.
"Thank you"-shy, sweet eyes
raised for an instant to his-"and will
you help?'
He wanted to tell her that he would
beg. dig, burn-do any outlandish
dangerous deed she willed; but the
words halted. He only got a bit red
and nodded.
"Oh, if he's pet" said Mrs. Brelle,
.s,ill<ily, "we'd best take up a collec-
tion-that is the shortest way out of
such annoyances."
"He's in the turn of the road, GO
ing out to the golf links" Louise put
in. refiectively; she was housekeeper
and found provisions an easier meth
of charity than cash, "When we go
iy for the big game next Tuesday we
might give him a donation party"
There was murmur of applause,
10 which Mrs. Brelle added a soft
hand-clapping. The act displayed
both hands and rings, and she smiled
with pleasure over them.
''Very WE'LL" she assented, gracious
Iy: "Tll send n barrel of -four"
Mae threw grateful kiss from her
finger tips, but the widow was look
ing to Barnes and missed it.
Good nights were beginning. Get
ting from her hammock, the pretty
widow gave n little start of alarm
,snch shrill, weird call had rung out
of the grove: "Who-who!"
'-Screech OWL" announced Joe. And
Barnes added, in appropriately sepul-
.chral tones, the old saw: when a
.screccb owl calls, witches answer"
~ hope he isn't calling his witches" F."
said Mae, ''to Unc' Shucks' donation"
'''rhey're worse than witches"
laughed Joe, "who have that business
IN hand. just don't let them forget
tobacco, and Unc' Shucks' luck is Sc
cure"
"I-he has tobacco"
$50 like Mae" said Louise, "to take
tobacco first"
'@Well, pipe" Joe protested, grave
ly, puts heart into man."
.'And next in value" suggested
Barnes, "shall we sprinkle him with a
little silver?"
Don't tell me any more" cried
Mae; I'm too happy"
The pretty widow was coming uE
the steps and noted the girls face
and how Barnes sought the light OF
IT. She followed to Macs door.
Can j come in, dear, for min,
ute?''
Mae drew up a cozy chair and wait.
ed ahsently beside it. Her eyes were
still radiant, a dreamy look in them
happy and shy. The tone of Barnes
voice fingered with her and the lool,
that said good night" Hard to strike
such a face frightened and white, but
the pretty widow smiled and corn.
passed il.
''You must forgive me, love, foI
limiting that your impulsive ways are
liable 10 be misinterpreted."
- beg pardon" growing attentive
with a start. What did you say?"
"Mr- Barnes is man of the world, ;
gently, "accus toned to Irritation as
TO his wine at dinner He"
-'Wait!" with unexpected dignity
81 do not care to hear you speak ot
Bir. Barnes. But of me-you were
saying something of me?"
well" rising with an angry flush
~you are refusing kindness. On,
would think that you mean-the way
yGu look"
The way I look?"
'AEy dear child" over a shoulder a.
ahe Aeot 30 the door, you look up a
hfs3 as if you were kneeling before {
shrine"
In those next days Barnes coult
1ot guess what the trouble was-how