The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-21
JACKS HOUSE
BY RACHEL 3. HAMILTON

NE7 r7f leuceu lOt, ana gradually
2H lGlH assuming house-like pro-
portions; but Content watched its dai-
ly growth with a wonderful light Of
satisfaction in her brown eyes. She
could see it plainly from Aunt Prissy's
little shop window, looking down the
quiet road and across q field white
with daisies; and she loved to watch
the sea Of bending blossoms, and whis-
per softly to herself, "The path that
leads TO it is all pure white"
CROWN finely amt itg' said Miss
Prissy, cheerly, dusting and arrang-
ing the bright silk handkerchiefs.
skeins Of yarn, boxes OF needles. Jars
OF candy and the rosy checked apples
that decorated the show window. even
while she looked beyond them at the
new building. ITS goin' up slick as
new pin"
Yes, yes" returned Uncle joachim,
shaking his head; IF there only dent
come hard wind AMI blow it over. Or
a heavy rain TO food the cellar, or
somebody set Il a-fire, mebby. There's
no tellin'-neyer no teliin' in this un-
certain worldw
La, Joachim" said Miss Prissy.
nimbly mounting the counter and pur-
suing conversation and a spider-web
together I'VE hain't had drop OF
rain this three weeks, and it's Just
what We're needin'. As for winds,
'twould take something more'n com
mon 70 blow such walls as them
down"
Il don't know bout that-don't
know answered Cncle Joachim. I'M
convinced. 1T blew pretty smart
breeze last night, and could feel our
house shake Thought very likely our
roof would be carried away afore
mornln'-more'n likely. I went up to
the garrett to-day and tied rope to
the rafiers and then hitched the otl-
er end fast 10 the old splnnln' wheel;
but it's doubtful IL that'n save it,
doubtful"
Content laughed softly, but Uncle
Joachim heard it.
Don't make fun Of solemn things,
child; don't never do that" he said. re-
proyingly. Il knew n an once that
ridieuled the idee Of any burglars ever
breakin' into his house, and the very
next day his brother had his pockets
Picked. A good many folks have
good many things happen to 'em, and
it's best 10 be prepared
Well" commented Miss Prissy.
briskly. Il must say fort. I'm bout as
well prepared for pickpockets as for
anything / know OF. Nobody n make
much out or my pockets, uniess they
was sunerin' Tor pair Of steel-bowed
spectacles and an old brass thImble.
There comes the mail" she added, as
n rusty. dusty horseman stopped at the
door. Content an1 nell tend to Il,
Joachim, dear; you're feelin' poorly
to-day, know, and you'd better sit
stIll."
He had no idea Of doing anything
else; but Il was a pleasant fiction OF
Miss prissy's that brother Joachim"
was always just about to do something
useful and energetic belief that had
never died out In rll the twenty years
that she had taken care OF him. Faith
er, mother, sister, all were gone but
these two and the sisters orphaned
child, Content, 2 bonny, winsome mai
den, who had come like sunshine TO
the quaint, quiet old house.
Uncle Joachim sat IN bis easy chair.
with gaze that wan ed atar or.
mourning over the hills that were not
leyeled, the valleys that never would
be filed up and the mountains that
wouldn't come TO Mohammed. He had
no time nor strength TO spare in help
ing 10 do the daily work and bear the
little daily trials, because lac was hold
ing himself as a sort OF reserve corps
against the terrible calamities that
never came. But Miss Prissy's keen
anu kindly eyes could. fortunately, see
nearer home-even to the sewing Of
buttons on brother Joachim's coat,
the mending OF rents in his linen, and
the necessity OF providing for three
meals a day. SO she whisked about.
always busy. worked aud planned,
turned and darned; made over her
dresses wrong side up and inside out,
contriyed neat caps out OF nothing,
and collars out Of what was left. she
took care OF the small store that was
also the village postoliice. and looked
after the diminutiye garden besides,
all the whole family grateful, and in
nocently plying any poor lone wo-
men folks that hadn't any man TO help
or perfect EN-"
The arrival OF the mail was always
a pleasant little ripple in the days
still current. and Content and Aunt
Prissy sorted the small bundle with
some good natured guessing and neigh
borly sympathy-hoping this for Mrs
Grey was from her sailor boy. and
that the one for Deacon Cole would
bring good word from his sick daugh-
ter Content was listening with deep
ening color meanwhile for a step that
was sure soon to come.
Amy letters for me, Miss Prissy?"
asked Jack Howard's clear, hearty
voice.
Not one" answered Content, laugh
ing up into the blue eyes that did not
look particularly disappointed. In fact,
Tonirtu nnwrnvrnr1onnn xvac not i'm