Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-02-05
BY Carrie Hunt Lat,>
Copyright, i951. by c. II. Ldttd

about the dooryard disconsolately,
while out in the shed the cow lowed
piteously.
''No tellin' when that cows ben
MIXED er how long she's ben shet up
without feed an water. Somethin's
happened. | hope-oh, l do hope-it
amt nothin' awful SAINTS bout the
only friend I've got here'beuts, an eff
he was ter die
She had TO wipe the tears from her
eyes before she Knocked.
There was no answer. hker breath
came fast She knocked again.
What yo' want?" The voice was
dec.drdly cross.
Miss Priscilla opened the door eau
tiously, keeping her face turned away.
"Saml Clayton. is they anything the
matter?''
''Nothin'." he answered grimly,
"'ceptin' I'm fat on my back an amt
able ter git up"
The door flew open, and Miss Pris-
ella entered.
II know amt doin' the proper thing,
Sam'l so don't be castin' up nothin',
but My goodness, Sam'l, yo're as
yaller as gold T"
That's comfortin', Percilly."
''Yove got yaller janders, reckon.
don't blame yo' none fer not wantin'
ter git up When had 'em, 1 couldn't
turn over in bed"
'I do want ter git up, but I can't,
Percilly"
Don't yo' be cross, Saml. They amt
no call fer it. I'm sorry fer yo', awful
sorry, an. though it amt the thing, I'm
goin' ter stay here an red things up
some Then III git word to yer brother
Robert. Air yo' thirsty, Sam'l?"
He nodded.
"An' hungry"
He put out his tongue at her and
made n wi'y face.
mo; | reckon yo' amt hungry, but
yo're weak fer somethin' ter eat, an
yo'll git it right soon."
She went into the kitchen, and Samu-
el heard her muttering and talking to
herself. She put her head in at the
door,
'Is that glass there on the table the
only one yo've got, SamIF
I'm the only one ter use glass, Per-
cilly, an l never hev cump'ny."
Whats it got in it anyhow"
"Ginger tea, Percilly."
Miss Priscilla picked the glass up and
smelled of the contents.
"Phfew! Sakes alive. 1 s'pose yo'
fixed itf"
Miss Priscilla disappeared, taking the
glass with her. She soon returned with
a glass of sparkling cold water.
Miss Priscilla Strengthened the sheet,
put clean cases on the pillows, opened
the windows and put the room in order.
Samuel's face frightened as he watch
ed her.
Got anything bout the house ter eat,
Sam'l?' she asked presently.
Things as spile easy is hangin' in
the weH, an the rest of the things is in
the cellar, PercilIy."
Miss Priscilla fed the chickens,
MIXED the COW and turned her into
the pasture. When she returned, she
put the milk away, then entered the
room again, bringing a cup of hot
broth.
1T amt cooked 'nough, Sam'l, but it
won't do fer yo' to 90 any longer with
Imply stummick. Eat some"
She propped him up in bed, and he
did as he was hidden.
That's the first good broth I've ct
sence mother died"
Il don't doubt that, SamL Yo're the
fzn I
seen. The whole house is awful. l
amt s'prised yo're sick. I'd be dead"
"It amt my fault as I'm my own
housekeeper, Percilly Blake" he an
swered significantly.
She flushed red.
'Well, | see plain as I'll hey to go
an leave yo' by yourself an not wait
fer yer brother ter come. Don't make
matters unproperer than they air AIRED
dy."
MY, but yo' air b'hind the times!
Brother moved ter Ioway five weeks
ago comm Thursday"
"They's other naybers, Sam'l," she
snapped.
All the rest of the day she watched
for n passing vehicle that she might
hail its occupant and send for some one
to look after Samuel. Toward evening
she grew uneasy. She had refused to
talk to Samuel for some time, as he
would talk of personal matters, but
now she turned to him anxiously.
"Sam'l, I can't bear ter leave yo' by
yo'rself ag'n ternight."
I Il .,fr
ter go, Percilly."
Il amt anxious ter go, an yo' know
it."
"Then stay au' let folks talk eff they
want ter
IL can't ford ter do that, Sam1"
Thzn there was another long 81
lence. Miss Priscilla looked down the
road anxiously, finally going down to
the gate to see if she could get a
glimpse of any one.
He might git worse in the night"
she murmured to herself. Il never
was so put out in all my life"
Samuel looked into her eyes as she
came in
"See anybody?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"Percilly, wy, say, do yo' member
what | asked yo' onct"
She made no reply and looked steadi-
~ down the road.
"Well," he went on, "them's still my
feelin's."
She shaded her eyes as if to see bet
ter and did not answer.
IVY, Percilly. say, ef I'm not dead
by mornin'. won't yo' hook up cid Kit
to the buggy an drive over Ter the
preacher an fetch him over an hey i'm