The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-06-27

Barnes old place seems set in the
midst thereof.
So it may be that one passing that
way will linger for a space in front
of the old-fashioned dwelling, and
will notice that the moss lies green
on the steep and shingled roof and
upon the well curb that stands be.
side the door. And such one, stand
ing in the red, dusty stretch of
the road and looking beyond the door
way and the curb, will see under the
trees of the yard a milkhouse that
is suggestive OF shadows and of great
stone crooks, while nearer the fence
there are beehives and damask roses
and trailing honeysuckle vines. And
with so much given the traveller, be
he man of even small understand
ing, will picture readily the faces of
those old people who from the eter-
nal fitness of all things must necessar-
lily inhabit here-will imagine Aunt
Sara Barnes, with her broad, black,
good-humored face and her blue
checked, cotton apron, and will give
heed to Uncle Jeffy's voice as the old
man calls: Light, boss, light; an
des come in dis yere py-azzy, sub, an
res"
But If in response to the invita-
tion so heartily given our traveller
should seek to enter, he will likely
find opposing his passage a dog-a
bandy-shanked and brindled dog,
which will plant itself firmly in his
way and will growl ferociously and
otherwise so misconduct itself that
Uncle Jeffy will hurry out in alarm
to COW the beast with hot words and
with blows. Afterward, however,
when cool water has been brought and
the wayfarer is duly refreshed. the
old man will turn again to the brute
and will call to it temptingly:
Here. Rowdy, here! Come here to
me, my lad!' And he will take the
evil looking head between his knees
and will stroke the same reflectively.
Vas he is accustomed to remark as
he waggles the fragment of wolly
beard which hangs at his chin, and
| spits well out across the steps, Row
dy air part p'inter and part houn'-
might nigh half houn', hit pears to
me LAX An | think thars lettle
touch O. bull in him-an' then thar's
some fee in him shore, fer his great
gran nanny on his daddy's side she
were full blooded fee. But l don't
ha'e 20 hlnnl
| jedges that ther rest Nv him
what's lef' after ther houn', an ther
p'inter an ther bull, an ther fee
is just mostly dog. He's a mighty
fine yawd dog, too, Rowdy is, but he
air a gittin' a sight too sharp-he's
agwine ter bite somebody ther very
fus thing l know. Thar he was a
t'arin at you just now-Ill bout have
ter brush him one er these days"
Then the old man will pinch the
dogs ear, and Rowdy will yawn anl
will stretch his left hind leg as if to
say, What a pleasant morning it is"
And when no one replies he will go
back down to the gate, where he will
turn round three times-presumably
for luck"-after which he will COM
pose himself to rest
In the leisure which this episode
will afford him the wayfarer may
study the old negro. He will, if per-
ception has been vouchsafed unto
him, observe that Uncle Jeffy has
once been a "pow'ful man." and mat
even now his hairy chest still looks
broad and muscular as it shows
through the open front of his coarse,
white cotton shirt. The old man
wears no coat, of course-who wants
a coat in the open Spring weather?
and his face is honest and shrewd.
Only laughter, too-whole-hearted,
kindly laughter-could have drawn
those lines which radiate so finely
from the corners of his quizzical
eyes. And beneath all this, beneath
the wrinkles which the years have
left, and the dull and weather-beaten
skin, and the gray growth of stubby
beard, there exists an odd look OF
youthful drollery, as if the boyish
| blood time-hindered in its surface
flow, still stirred within and sent new
currents, warm and free, about the
old mans cheerful heart.
1t has been said by those who are
In a position to know that in his
youth Uncle Jeffy "wuz pow'ful wile'
that once he ran 'hoss-races" and
openly fit chickens" But let this
be as it may, our hero is staunch
enough church member now-and
sleeps on Sundays very peacefully in
! the solemn Amen corner" of Lower
Betharbry" church. And when Aunt
Sara would call him to account for
this somnolence he readily defends
himself.
Brother Larkin"-he will remark
Brother Larkin, he do talk so
feelin'ly bout that thar res'-ther
res, sweet res whut we alls is
agwine ter git over on t'other side
O. Jurdin-'at ther vey fus' thing
know l is done fergit whar l is, an
| | is a restin' afore my time
/ a,i1 IL