Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-03

~
"Cullud friends" had not been un
mindful. as Lie had said. There was ounoh
of marigolds in cracked cup on the "ihuoN
ledge, a dish piled with cold chicken alI
crabs, doughnuts and other ODDLY
dainties, that had evidently been accuinuh.s l",s
for several days, and a brlght-hueo pa'cnM.o.N
quilt enlivened the bed. But the oiu p,'Son
er seemed Indifferent to all these friendly at-
tentions. -.
He sat with his face turned to the wall ms
head hanging low upon his breast, his TOLL
worn hands clasped idly, as if their WORK was
done.
With one glance at this pitiful figure, lrix
forgot that she was fourteen years OLD ana
Talbot, and, springing forward, flung her
arms about the old mans neck and burst
into tears. >. o.,
''Who? whar? Dressed Marse, who's dis?
cried Uncle Eph, all of tremble. MISS
Trix? Shuahly nebba Miss Trix!.
Eyes, it is, Uncle Eph" was the sobolng
answer. 1T is your own Miss Trix. Oh,
how could you ever think that l had forgot
ten or forsaken you, when | have been think;
ing and worrying about you night and DAY
| couldn't forget you, Eph-not if tried!,
Thar, honey-thar, don't, chie!" said the
old man. soothinely ''Why, amt seen yo'
take on like dis sence yo little tot on
my knee. Thar, thar! l didn't think nutin
hard OBJ yo',, chile; but it did seem sort OBJ
quare to hear muffin from de white folks
what Is been servin' true an faithful fo'
MORN forty year 1t seemed monst us curt
fo ole Eph to be a-dyin' hyar."
"You shant die" said Trix, vehemently.
Don't talk like that, Uncle Eph, or you'll
break my heart. I've written to papa, and
he won't let you stay here minute when he
hears about you; l know he wont! declared
1'rix. with more confidence than she felt, Tor
the old mans sunken eyes and ashen counte-
nance told that his dying was not mere
figure of speech.
''De generals been my good friend always
said Uncle Eph, respectfully. He'd be my
good friend still, if he knowed de troof. But
he doant know it, an l can't spect him to
know it. De trouble is dat boy Tim OBJ mine
gin me bad name. Oars muffin wuss den
bad son to give yo' bad name. It's like
buildin yo' house on de quicksands to try an
keep an honest name gin boy like dat"
"But you've got an honest name with us,
and always will have it," said Trix, eagerly
"It's all mistake-a hateful, cruel mistake
and we will prove it. see if we don't, before
the whole world. Just keep up, Uncle Eph;
don't break down this way, and talk SO sadly
Just keep up for my sake
Oats what we-uns keep ON a-tellin' him.
Miss Trix," said Lie, anxiously; ''jes' keep
up, an de LAud's boun' to make things
straight. But pears ez if he couldn't. Look
at dem vttles, now; don't believe he's teched
two mouthfuls in week"
Cant eat, honey, said Uncle Eph, shaking
his head. "Nebba thought de time 'ud come
when I'd turn agin' fried cakes an crab meat;
but pears like ez if l amt got no ap'tite at
all"
''But you've got to eat, Uncle Eph," re-
minded Trix imperiously you've got to eat,
Al.L
Mate. Lie, and let me try him."
"Bressed marse! jes' look at dis chile!" ex
claimed Uncle Eph, with feeble chuckle, as
Trix began breaking off dainty bits from the
supply before her with her own deft fingers.
HNow, Uncle Eph, swallow that"
"Hi-yi! eff yo' wouldn't think it was de
little tot OBJ bout dozen year ago, perched
piece of hoecake went down his throat. at his
little ladys bidding "Nebba was anything
GOOD up stairs fo' Miss Trixy, her pa used to
saw, till she'd brought down plateful to
old Eph." -,,
IN death and break my heart" said Trix, in
a much.iniured tone, while she continued to
feed Uncle Eph, as if he were some novel
specimen of pet bird.
"Uere is one of Nam Chloes own pullets,
I know" and Trix picked up wing from the
heap before her. Nobody ever friend chicken
ike Nam Chloe, You've got to eat half that
chicken before l leave here this day, Uncle
'"'i'n try, Miss Trix,", replied Uncle Eph,
hetter now-much better den ebber 'spected
n in dis world ag'in. / kin eat and / kin
drink. an think, wild de good Lauds help