The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-03-02

/ 90 - q ANOQAL CNCAJ OAA~ NeN' ~--~~~
fully contributing to the misery of
both.
After the last vehicle had passed he
arose and went about his solitary din
ner. It'll come worse than pullin' eye
teeth, he said aloud. "But Wilson can
manage it if anybody can"
Wilson Beebe, young Scranton law
yer, was Ensign's idol and confidant.
lie frequently ran up country" for a
day and usually found his uncle hang
ing over the picket fence in front Of the
house waving his hat in hilarious vel
come. But the following morning when
! he arrived he was surprised to find the
fence deserted, the door closed and the
blinds shut. He Travelled the length Of
! the house before discovering the dis
/ consulate householder sitting in a round
shouldered heap on a broken chair
which decorated the back porch.
Hello, herew cried Wilson in a ring
ing, hearty voice ''What are you up
to back here, should like to known
WILSON," said Ensign, partially I'M
folding as he gripped the others hand,
Il amt enjoyin' myself"
Wilson dropped on the edge Of the
porch and leaned against a post why
not?' he asked breezily. "SickP"
''No," returned Ensign solemnIy-
mo, not sick In my bones, only In my
feelin's!
Wilson whistled. He was not ac-
customed to seeing his favorite relative
in this respondent condition.
what under the canopy is upT' he
demanded.
Everybody is Ensign's tone was
rueful. That's the trouble. Every
body is up right early attendin' to my
affairs"
A CLEAN Of understanding shot into
Wilson's eyes. "It's Mrs. Grey" he
said simply.
Ensign nodded. ayes. It's Lizzie
Grey"
He extended his feet to the edge OF
the porch and clasped his hands over
his vest announcing darby: Wilson,
there's gOin' to be big change here
shortly-a big change. There's got to
be. I'll leave it to you that there's
things a man can't stand forever"
For instance?" prompted Wilson.
''Well, there's church. I've got to
give it up"
"You give up churchY' cried the
other in genuine surprise. "Why,
uncle. you'd be a fish out Of water
Sundaysl'
Eyes, stree. I've stood church goin'
now as long as I can. I'll leave it to
you. set right back Of her. If I look
at her the idiots up in the choir giggle
and say can't keep my eyes of her.
If don't lock at her they say
daresn't. And either way-I, we'll, you
know how nay face gets, Wilson, and
me fifty years OLD"
Wilson nodded and refrained from
smiling.
I'm Sunday school it's just as bad.
Our classes are close together and
facin' each other, with a parcel Of
pesky gigglin' girls one side of u.s.
There was a pause and a long sigh.
Still Wilson faced his uncle soberly.
"And back here home it's just the
same with her across the road and
some nefghbor or other at every door
and window around us, watchin' to
see what I'm up to. If set out in
front, they tell me better not wear
out my own porch so long as there's
another waitin' for me. If I set back
here, some one who hasn't got enough
business Of his own to attend to starts
the story that she's give me the nit
ten"
When he spoke again his tones were
Enthusiastically stubborn. 1--WE made
up my mind, Wilson, to be quit of this
fOolin'. I'll show folks that I'm not
gee-ed and hawed around as easy as
they think for. I'll give 'em somethin'
to talk about all their lives, I'll be
blamed If 1 don't!'
When his uncle first unfolded his
plan Wilson was amused. Later he be-
came alarmed. He argued and remon-
strated in vain. 'I'll be quit of their
foolin', will" was all the reply he re-
ceived, and when the stage bore him
away In the afternoon he was pledged
to aid and abet his unhappy relative.
So quickly did he fulfill his pledge
that the week was not yet ended when
Ensign received a Scranton daily with
an advertisement heavily marked in
blue pencil. On the margin was scrib-
bled, Have made inquiries and hear
she is an estimable woman"
The advertisement read:
Wanted.-A position as housekeeper OF
companion, by a competent woman with
good references. Address 2a Irving street,
Scranton, Pa.
Ensign studied the little paragraph as
he sat at the little table, his feet braced
against the wall beyond. ''Housekeep-
er or companion" he unused aloud and
planted his forefnger on the latter
word. 1t had but one meaning for him.
Presently he uncovered the term and
looked at it thoughtfully. His face did
not express unalloyed joy. He arose
and gazed mournfully through the
closed blinds at the house opposite. |
Mrs. Lizzie was on her way to the barn,