The Tupelo journal., 1907-08-16

added, trying to appear casual and
/ disinterested. One Ben Covington
would compensate for a whole roomful
of Dave Midges.
Are those our chickens dipping up
the flower seeds you planted yester-
day, Josie?" queried Mrs. McCanopy.
I've got my lap full, or I'd go out
and shoe EN-"
1--we got my hands all over dough-"
began Josie. Send Clara; she's only
drumming on the piano"
Clara" called Mrs. McCanopy.
No answer
"Cla-' she began once more.
ooh, l might as well go first as
last mumbled Josie. When she re-
entered the house her hair was blown
and her face was red.
Dear me-" she sighed, "a party's a
dreadful sight of work."
Its YOUR party" reminded Mrs.
McCanopy, putting her lips together
firmly. eve are trying to make your
birthday pleasant"
Josie, who was somewhere between
II and 80, was looking forward to the
day when the family was planning to
pay up its indebtedness, not only
with a party, but with gifts freely
limited at in the home circle as some
thing-you'd never guess whats" and
Acknowledgements"
ENT1, oplv ,.oo,o+ &c Two ro+ IN boro
that mean old Dave Midget" muttered
Josie, as she sat down to stone rails
ms and plan what she would say to
Ben Overton.
Those bees your father was fool
enough to buy at the Miller's auction
seem to be acting funny" observed
Mrs. McCanopy, gazing out of the
kitchen window. 81 wonder what we
ought to do?"
I've heard of them all swarming
off," said Cousin Phoebe. But 1
think if some one was to go out and
throw a shawl over 'em, they'd calm
down, and when it comes night you
could slip the cage, or whatever you
call it, right yer them, and there you
arei"
Clara left the room hastily, and
Josie moved uncomfortably on her
chair.
I'D go If / wasn't so slow on my
feet" said Mrs. McCanopy. 81 couldn't
do it quick enough. Josie, it would
please your father, after all he is do
ing for you limited her mother. at
certainly would be a great ~disappoint-
ment to Chester to lose EN-"
Josie, with the resignation of a
saint and the courage of a matador,
grabbed the big gray shawl and went
out toward the community of strik-
ing honey makers. While Cousin
Phoebe wasn't an authority on bee
culture, the proposition as a whole
looked as reasonable as the usual mis-
sions upon which Josie was sent. Ac-
custOmed to look after the family
pets, she was willing to dust the hive
every morning if her father wanted
to keep a few bees, but she hoped the
perches didn't have to be disturbed
often.
Unfurling the shawl, Josie loated
like a great winged bat toward the
buzzing cloud. She did just as
Cousin Phoebe had advised.
Afterward, when she had been re-
lieved from pain as much as possible,
her father said:
"You ought to have more sense
Josie, ven if the others didn't have
any" Which shows that gratitude is
apt to be proportionate to the amount
of success attendant upon the good
! deed.
"And to-morrow's the partyi" groan-
ed Josie, avoiding the mirror.
Some BETTER" answered Josie, "the
swelling has commenced to go down
poor Josie, and it's your birthday,
tool" condoned Clara. "You will be a
sight at the party"
Never mind. dearie," said Mrs. Nc
Canopy cheerfully. Here's what your
father and / have bought for you."
"Why-it's a rug!" gasped Josie. Il
thought it was going to be a.
! Don't you like N?' demanded her