The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-03
BABY JOS WIFE.
nYI nrLLE MANIorEs.

of sunshine on the north porch. She sazed longingiy down the dust-white country road. and the last forlorn hope died out her wan eyes as she returned to her kitchen. 6k
 Josiah Lenks had not been prepos- ssssing of manner nor endowed with | many endearing qualities. He had been parsimonious, tyrannical, fault finding and stubborn, but his wife only remembered that he was her man. and that 1t was very lonely in this quiet. orderly house. which, as Is usual at such occasions. had been filled to overflowing in the interim of demise and funeral. but was now deserted.
 She wished again and again that her son, Jo. would come. She had not
 known just where to reach him. One He had comet-like way of appearing and disappearing. He had been . wanderer since the days of schoolboy truancy, and he had served in many capacitiesL-as trainboy, circus rider. soldier. tramp and stage driver. In fact. everywhere but on his fathers farm. She had not known where to I send word to Beth. either. Beth. the little orphaned child of a distant cous- in, had grown to womanhood on the | farm i. and then had gone to distant city to teach. She was away on a va- cation, now. and had no settled ad- dress. With these two absent. Mrs. Lenks was indeed alone.
 | Suddenly there hurried into the | kitchen tall strong -shouldered man.
 Sorry couldn't have got here in time, mother, but I'm here now and we're going to be together from now on--you and me-.
 The little woman nestled in his | arms.
 you know I never could hit 1t on n with the old man. There! Don't look scared, mother am not going to say anything against him now. I guess I said all I felt to him. Every time I tried to stay at home. had to pull out"
 He was hard to get along with"
 Well, I guess you ought to<know make up to you for your slave life I You are never going to do any more | work from now on.
 Now. Jo. the farm work must go on."
 "You are not going to do 1t. am going to get supper now Where's 5 lieaky, rag-caulked one?"
 For the next half hour. Mrs. Lenks | had an odd sensation of being some one else as she sat in a chair and | looked on while 10 deftiy slicde up cold potatoes, fried bacon and set the table.
 Despite his five mad twenty years and big frame, Jo Lenks gave one the impression of being very young and unsophisticated. Perhaps 1t was due to his round. beardless face. which ! was pink-hued and smooth. to his eyes ! infanttle in expression. or to his un- formed and rather small features.
 Looks jes like yer did when yer was a baby, Jop' old Miss Green had exclaimed, seeing him after an ab- sence of some years. Thereafter he was ever known as Baby Jo."
 His chseriness was like rush of sunshine in a dark place to hts mother. Throughout the supper and evening she felt as if she had taken a tonic. When she awoke in the night she fear- l cd his homecoming had been a dream, and she stole into his room where he lay asleep with his head on his arm Al he had lain in the days when he was in truth her baby. Then she crept back to bed, content. and did not awaken until the sun was streaming in the east windows. She hurried down to the kitchen where baoy So greeted her with grin and toastins fork.
 breakfast all ready. mother. and the stock fed"
 | .Now, Jof' she protested when. after breakfast. he began piling up the disn- es in the pan.
 'No. I meant it, motner.'
 And she said no more. Baby Jo had always gained his point.
 when the work was finished, Baby I To left the house, saying he was going | Id 'saee the folks" Tn an hour Molly | Burt came in with a big satchel. "Baby Jos hired me to work here for Q week or so. My! but he's good why. whatever will ! dor saspsd Mrs. Lenks
 set in the parIor and be a lady," advised the new help. You've had to work like a nigger, and now your times come. Every ones time comes sooner or later. It's churning day. Is the cream readyT
 | Mre Lenks tried to sit comfortably | in the parIor, but it's unfamiiiarity op- pressed her. So she compromised and | took the little. lean-back rocker into
 "weiI, mother" said Baby Jo. when he returned home late that afternoon, "what would you say if I stopped steady, old farmer. fixedfup the place with some new togs and brought home
 The little mother showed her dis- Iappointment at this last word. but she atrurRled bravely to say, I'd love to have YOU in the old place, Jo, and I'd | like to see you we'll married. Is she a city girl? Would she be content
 sshe.s living in the city at present. hrt she tells me she was farmbred and that she loves the country, l know you couldn't help but like her,
 "When are you going to bring her Ihere. JoY' asked his mother, in faint' Iforlorn tones.
 ''she's here now"
 sOh. Jo." she cried in alarm. It lisp't-it can't be Moliy!
 .'Molly, Well. I'll be jiggered. mother. don't you give your good~tor- lnothing son credit for more taste than that7 don't deserve much. but, Mollvi I won't tease you any more"
 He went out of the front door and returned with a tall, soft-eyed girl on % "Here;s your future daughter-in-law. r,other. What do you think, nowf vii she be contented with our waysT
 The two women were in each others
 .T didn't get the word about Cousin
 YosIah until 10 wired me. was so aorrv not to be herel"
 "v1ben did you and Jo-"
 .A,wavs." laughed the girl with .o,S look at her lover. '1 ought to heve stayed here with you until he
 auae hack to us, but was lonely S';thout him here, and l thought 1t