The Forrest City times., 1903-12-11

o'clock sharp. The habits of years of punctuality were strong within her. and the thoughts that the men folks were going without their breakfasts were too much for her. Though it was now h2lf-past seven, Q full hour later than the usual breakfast tine. she set about getting the morning meal, fully persuaded. however. that # would never be eaten She went about her work iR a dazed. weary manner. ever and anon glancius furtiyely at the lit- tie clock, which ticked nerrily on. all careless of the lapse of time.
 Mr. Potter carried an arnful Of green corn into the kitchen. and laid il upon a bench by the door. then started on his way 10 the injured hayTack.
 Crash, crash, br-r-r-rap, MT. Pot ter. half way to the barn. turned quick ly al the thunderols noise. and looked toward the house. A thick dust was issuing from the kitchen door, and from out the cloud came a woTnan's cries and lamentations. Heavens. Was Jabe Garner right after all. and had the disintegrati0n Of the world be- gun? Yet there had been no shock, and the cattle iu a field close by were browsing contentedly. evincing 10 signs of fear. With a few rapid strides. NIT. Potter reached the kitchen door. John hurrying after.
 Upon the floor sat Mrs. Potter. a pie ture Of helpless. hopeless woe. Her appeaTance was enough to bring laugh ter from a grayen image. Tn her lap was a goodly supply of fried potatoes, her clothes were dripping with milk. while numerous strips and friangles Of wall paper lent additional decoration 10 her garments. Her eyes were full Of dust. which she was yainly endeav- bring 10 remove with a corner of her milk-Soaked apron. From the table ran thin streams of syrup. gravy and pepper sauce The dishes were in a state of chaos, most of them being broken Utter ruin seemed to perYade the kitchen
 Its a-eomin', It's a-comin'.' walled Mrs. Potter. The earth is bein' swaI- lered up, and the heavens rolled to- gether like a scroll. The Lord have mercy on us all, ouch" The terrified woman had placed her hand upon a hot frying pan that lay at her side.
 Come. Sairy,a said her husband. trying 10 suppress his laughter, get up. This ain't no earthquake: it's jest some Of that shif'less Jabe Gar ner's poor work. Look al the ceilin'. Bout seven ton of plaster's fell of. It's mercy you want squashed fiat" ;"
 He helped his wife to her feet. and as she at last got the dust from her eyes. and beheld the condition of her kitchen, change came over her The fear of being suddenly launched into another world passed away and she again beheld things in their true light She glanced, a little neryously. per haps. at the clock. and said, Good land, Silas. don't stand there as If you was made of wood. Get to work and help me clean up this muss John, you get the shovel and a bushel basket My. don't wish't that Garner was here now,' She gazed at the wreckage about her in manner that boded no | good to the visionary Jabe.
 IL was ten o'clock before breakfast was served in the Potter kitchen that August day. but the meal was an ex- cellent one, notwithstanding it's late ness. Mrs. Potter was almost as &C., tive and cheerful as before the blight ing prophecy" came to town. No reference was made to the earthquake, save once. when John slyly remarked. Ma don't you notice that it's con- siderably past eight o'clock"
 His mother made no reply, but mere l! passed him the cookies.
 John and Mary were married in De- tober and moved into a pretty cottage just across the street from the elder Potters' home. Mrs Potter. her nerves once more in perfectly normal state, found much to admire in her daugh- ter-in-law; and often declared that as an all-around sensible woman Johns wife was a shining example. She said the young lady's equal didn't live in Shutters Corners and that when John took a fancy to Mary Rogers. he showed excellent judgment.-Orange Judd Farmer.