The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-03-09
FRANKLIN, La, SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1901

for some woman to keep house for me.
now that Anastasia Grixon has been
fool enough to marry old Simpson
Eh? what:-a letter? I'm oblccged to
you, Miss Pinkney! Stop and take
warm while read it. and I'll git you
a basket Of gllitlowcr apples to carry
home afterward. They're jest spilin'
to be eaten. them gilllfiowers is"
But as he perused his letter, curl
GUS expression stole over his rugged
features.
''Sakes alive" said he, stamping
one foot on the floor. What In Gre
alton does all this mean? l guess we'll
have enough housekeepers, Israel.
Here's my three nieces from New
York a-comin' to live with me, because
Mrs. Pinkney here has writ 'em that
I've lost my property. And they're
gon' to take care of me. Well, l
swan
Il didn't write no sich!' whined
Mrs. Pinkney, with rather an alarmed
air. IL only said you was dreadful poor
in health. l meant the lumbago and
rheumatic. I didn't say nothn' about
money"
well, no matter what you said. nor
what you didn't say" declared Uncle
John, crumplng up the letter In his
hand and staring at the fire. "The
gals think I'm poor, and they're COM
in here to support me. and make a
home for me In my old age-bless their
hearts. l don't know why they should
do It," he added, with a conscience
stricken face. Il never did nothin'
for them. And Kate and Helen are
my sister James darters, and Saba Is
Hepsy's only child. And they're work
in for livin', and I've got more'n I
know what to with. It's a shame,
now. amt 1t, that things Is SO un-
evenly divided?'
Just exactly what I've always
said" quietly remarked Israel Pen
/ field
Uncle John Jaycox looked at Israel
with a queer twinkle in his opaque
blue eyes.
II declare" said he, them gals has
taught me lesson! l don't need to be
took care of in my old age; but swan
to goodness! it would be kind OF
pleasant to have three gals around,
lookin' arter the old man. I'm q mind
to try it,
Il would, II was you." said Israel
Penfield.
So, when Saba, Helen and little
Kate arrived, Uncle John received
them with a warm welcome.
"Nieces," said he, Il amt poor. nor
I amt likely to be; but I'm glad to
any one in the world cares enough for
the old man to come and look arter
him. without no expectation of bein'
paid for 1t. 1t sort O shores up my
confidence in human natur'. Come in
come in! There's plenty of room for
you all in the old farmhouse. Come
in and welcome"
The three girls looked at each other.
"Ought we to stay?' they asked
each other.
EYES," whispered little Kate. "There
are two red COWS in the field. saw
them'
And the air smells so sweet.' said
pale Helen.
"And Uncle John spoke as If he was
really, really glad to see u.s." said
Saba. "Oh, yes. let us stay"
Nor did any of the contracting par
ties ever regret the misunderstanding
which had brought them so curiously
together.
Little Kate went back to the city,
after year or two, to marry the
druggists clerk, who was now set
ting up in a small way for himself.
and had come down to the country
after the daisy-faced girl who had
once attracted his attention.
Helen is engaged to marry Israel
Penfield, and they are to have a reg
ular old-fashioned wedding when the
dresses are made.
And Saba-quiet Saba-is to stay
with Uncle John, to read the news
papers to him and cheer up the long,
lonely evenings.
For l couldn't get along without
the girl, nohow! says Uncle John,
jovially.-Saturday Night.