Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1904-01-05

When Samanthy returned to the
kitchen she found that Lindy had the
plaster all ready. Samanthy took it,
and started upstairs.
Indy said to her, 3Don't tell her
that / made it." AS she said this she
stepped back into the kitchen and
closed the door.
AS Samanthy approached the bed
side with the plaster, Mrs. Putnam
looked up and asked, "Did you make
that plaster, Samanthy?"
''Yes'm,' replied Samanthy.
you're lyin', Samanthy Green, and
you know yer are. You can't fool me.
Didn't hear yer talkin' to somebody
in the kitchen?"
"Yes'm," assented Samanthy.
"Give it to me-" said Mrs. Putnam.
Samanthy passed it to her, and the
old lady crumpled it in her hands and
threw it across the room. ''Now go
down stairs, Samanthy Green, and
make me a mustard plaster, as I told
yer to, and when git up outer this
I'll see If can git somebody to wait
on me that kin tell the truth 'thout
my havin' to help EN-"
In the course of half an hour the
new plaster was made and applied,
and bright fire was shedding its
warmth into the room.
go down stairs and git yer break
fast" said Mrs. Putnam. "'Tis tri-
fle early, but hearn tell that lynn
makes people hungry"
AS Samanthy gave her an inquiring
look, Mrs. Putnam said, "No, don't
want nothin' to eat or drink nuther,
but when yer git the dishes washed
want yer to go on errand for me-"
1t was $50 when Samanthy Green
again stood in Mrs. Putnam's room.
IL want yer to go right down to Zeke
Pettengill's and tell his sister Alice
that I want her to come right up here.
Tell her it's my las sickness, and /
won't take no. for an answer. Be
sure you put it to her jest as do; and
Samanthy," as Samanthy opened the
door and was leaving the room, "say,
Samanthy, don't git anybody to do the
errand for YOU"
About ten minutes after Samanthy
left the house, Lindy Putnam entered
the sick room. Llrs. Putnam's pain
had been relieved somewhat by the
mustard, and this relief restored, to a
great extent, her usual vigor of mind.
what are you up here for?" cried
Mrs. Putnam, a look of displeasure
clouding her face.
II knew Samanthy had gone out,
and so I came up to see if could do
anything for you, mother"
"Don't mother me. I amt your
mother, and mean everybody shall
know it soon's I'm dead"
I've had to say mother before other
people," explained Indy, "and that's
why l forgot myself then. Pray ex-
cuse me-"
ooh, don't put on yer citifed airs
when yer talkin' to me. Amt yer
| glad I'm goin' ter die?"
| Il hope you will get better, Mrs.
Putnam" answered Lindy.
aYou know BETTER" rejoined Mrs.
Putnam. "You'll be glad when I'm
gone, for then you kin go gallivantin'
round and spend the money that my
son worked hard fur"
I've used very little of it, said Lin
dy; sf1ess than the interest; I have
never touched the principal"
Lindy still remained standing at the
foot of the bed.
want nuthin'?" asked Mrs. Putnam.
| w III lCdpS LllC lOOu1 LuCuS IOpllSu
Lindy quietly.
I wish you would" said Mrs. Put
nam, and you'll do me favor if you'll
pack yer duds as quick as yer can and
| git out of the house and never come
back agin."
7 will leave the room, but cannot
leave the house while you are alive
remarked Lindy firmly.
"Why not?" said Mrs. Putnam. 81
want to die in peace, and shall GO
much easier if I know haven't got to
set my eyes on your face agin."
| II promised JONES'" said Lindy
'sthat would never leave you while
you were, alive
ooh, you promised Jones, did yer?'
cried Mrs. Putnam with a sneer
s'Waal, Jones will let you off on yer
promise jest to 'blige me, so yer need
MT stay any longer"
AS Indy walked towards the door
Mrs. Putnam spoke again.
4 'Did yer ever tell anybody wasn't
yer mother?" Lindy hesitated. "Why
don't you out with it," said Mrs. Put
nam, "and say no, no matter if it is
a lie? Samanthy can lie EASTERN g
horse can trot, and know you put hel
up to it,"
'T have been impudent and disre
spectful to you many times, Mrs. Put
nam, when you were cross to me, bu
never told you deliberate lie in my
life. I have told one person that yor
were not my mother"
what did yer do it fur?" asked Mrs
Putnam.
81 wished to retain his good opin
ion,' replied Lindy.
"Who was it," inquired Mrs. Put
nam eagerly. Indy did not answer
"Oh, you won't tell" said Mrs. Put
nam. "Waal, / bet can guess; it,.
that feller that's boardin' over to Pet
tengill's."
Mrs. Putnam saw the blood rise fl
Lindy's face, and she chuckled to her
self.
what reason have you for forming
such an opinion?" asked Lindy.
: 1Waal, can kinder put two an,
two together" said Mrs. Putnam
"The day Alice Pettengill came owe
here with him you two wuz down il
the parlor together, and had Il
pound on the floor three times afor,
could make him hear. knew 70,
must be either spoonin or abusin' me.
. 1t was with difficulty that Lind,