The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-02-18

The myriad goues Of spared every green leaf and
blade Of Down the cmp Of weeds by the roadside mock
ing bird reeang invocation to the day In fact all the world
seemed fresh and glad
But the Cheby Hall did reflect the general serenity
c held small ne button between his thumb and forenger and
his face pepexed frown e wrestling with problem
In circumsan evidence He had that button few
before lying just within the wine closet in the hallway be-
hind him. and he pwzling to place its
Though the captain himself only casual imbiber il only
h policy deprive his friends OF cheering draft when they dropp
ed IN pass time day and the coming crops And
happened the door Of the closet in the airy hail.
the niche where stood suit Of furnishing amormuc the most
and venerable of all the family heooms bged with
the good things that contributed much to the comfort OF quiet
afternoon gathering Of cone sacatch alone barred the way to
this vault for the deemed fully ttwor
thy and the captain offend the free and amos
phere the homestead with significant keyholes
But Of late iae had decorated the polished floor both
within and immediately without the closet and on certain morning
umber had been found the table which forth suspicious
and fragrant oor Captain Cheaby had noted these signs Of med
ding fingers Of the of his but said word AT first
he only passing tog taking that OF the servants nf
hed with sudden cramp chill had mixed himself toddy but
the following day fresh stains had appeared and whikey d
pary and had continued until the Captain thoroughly provok
ed had made his mind give the mcreant lesson 1t would
do for him allow such loose methods with his particular
and peculiar property nor the ndenmc use oil liquors among the
irresponsible in his charge
so watching taking give the cuprit for
alarm a last that morning rewarded with clue; for
upon opening the door of the wneo his through the hall
few moments before round bright nck button had cleaned up
pocket for further investigation he guessed instantly that
belonged to the mysterious tpplcr.
And now m the Captain sat there on the veranda trying place
its among the workers the plantation OF sud
the light dawned upon hm Why Uncle Roscoe old Uncle
Baptist church, That looked marvouSy like the yet which
adorned the old fashioned ovcen coat which he delighted TO call
"S an CHERISHED thereafter BY Uncle Roscoe always as his choicest pos
Tie would have deemed that meal could have been
properly served upon the place without m % h m n @ o az f
and in spite of M years of still in fair and spotes con-
dtion.
in the Captain his brow frightened with the stress of his
thought What should he do How should he apply the lesson he
had runl pf old
guilt and there his chair specializing the right course
pursue he sddy caught sight of Uncle Roscoe himself crossing
the lower part yard the the we'll with water bucket
IN his hand green his back for nearly breakfast
time leaned back comfortably in his chair" assumed non
commital expression and called in his LATEST tones;
"Rocoel Oh Roscoe! Run heah, suh
lie was gazing abnty the fields when the old at
length shuled up the steps and stood before him. respectful hall
grin upon his ebony features. ~
Yancey's boy Mink" =.
Uncle Roscoe raised bony hand and scratched at the roots OF
his wool thoughuy for space Wul sub he said looking up
family carriage Mink what do de own N oil Mink what doan 40
muffin cept Ground But reckon knows de hull er en- SUM-
n d 5 all homes % nF 3 oe"G S @ o s ho~ he o Gn dip inter- ars
Mai Ticker n lay de he drunk mos two days. lie am
much sub, knows dat =, ,
earnness He had decided him to little that II
guilty he might take warning and mend his ways without e '"
"Hes the very one mean Roscoe the butler guess II have
to drop the Major tomorrow and see II can get hod OF MINK
I'm looking around for a good butler now, 20 know - =,
Wncle Roscoe gave sudden and cutehed pasmodcaly
at his chin Fo good Lord Mae l@fe he calculated now
yo is akin'l Yo ookn 70 buah9 ookn 10 buah! Why
honey don yo know dat done happy his meals right ct de
vey same table dat de dnnn dar long fore de wan
Don Won know dat? guess de Cheabys dem days was de people
to know GOOD butah nogh git Of n creay de jnts but
knows how sa We meal su yt N dat Mink Niger he snied
conemptousy Mink niger Why he's de orneryes buah on
dis side de Jawdon' .,,
'Ob yes the Captain broke n ~ know about that rival
Of yo But yor getting too old Roscoe yor losing yo grip III
have talk it with yo mistress =. j,
As he spk the CAPTAIN eyes wandered casually up and down the
two of ne buttons which betrayed no sign when they behold
missing
It was ten o'clock morning when the Captains We
and daughter Sally town in the family turnout and
shortly dinner the Captain himself got down hs tspoes and
tackle with and betoo himself IN the direction OF
the spring branch which dled along half mile back the woods
about this latter time keen observer might have detected
foxy little grin satisfaction playing about the mouth Of the senior
deacon the African Baptist Church. he rubbed damp rag over
the windows Of Cheaby mansion His good we Aunt Dl
was at work the Kitchen but the other had dispatch
ed their duties and retired their quarters An air OF deserted tran
0ullity hung about the manor-house.