Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-16
A NOVEL.
oy JOSEPH C.. LINCOLN.

Tn neXt forenoon me and Hartley
went over to close the cook trade. Van
wouldn't go. He said the gardening and
the shipwreck and the steeplechase-
meaning the pig hunt-had given him
sensations enough for week or so: he
had some of 'em with him yet. So Mar
tin said he'd go. for my sake. 1 borrowed
a couple Of spare oars from Scudder.
when he arrived with the mornings dose
of skim milk and cream and butter. and.
as I took care to row the skiff this time.
we made the passage all right. Then we
walked up to the Sparrows' nest.
Twas a pretty shabby looking shack.
now I tell you. Shingles dropping off,
and fence falling down and a general
shortage of mans work everywhere. But
there was bed of bachelors buttons and
old maids pinks under the front window.
and the windows themselves was clean
and bright. Eureka had done her best to
make the place honey: you could see
that.
She let US In when we knocked at the
kitchen door. Her sleeves was rolled up
and there was a big basket of clothes by
the steaming washtub. Editha, the
twelve-year-old. was grinding at the
wringer, and Dewey, the baby. was set
ting on the floor playing with rag doll.
The rest Of the tribe-except Lycurgus.
who had gone peddling clams-was off
playing.
Eureka, she apologized for things being
SO upset. but there want any need for
apologies. The house was plain and poor
you could see that it took a mighty lot
of stretching to make both ends come in
sight of each other, let alone meet but
twas clean as whistle Even the baby
was clean, all except his face and hands,
and no healthy young one ought to have
them clean.
Good morning" says Hartley. Have
you decided to cook for us?"
She bodied her head over the washtub.
1--WE decided it. If pa has," says she.
He amt made up his mind yet. He
wanted to sleep on II, he said. / guess
he's done that. Anyhow. he's just got up.
Step right into the dining room and talk
to him You'll have to excuse me; I've
got to get this washing done afore noon.
somehow"
So she pitched into the scrubbing, bend
ing In the middle exactly like a jointed
pocket rule, and the Twin and me went
into the dining room.
Washington Sparrow was there. Their
want but one comfortable rocking chair
In sight and he was in that. with his
stocking feet resting on the ruins Of a
haircloth sofa. He was pretty husky
looking. seemed to me. for a man COM
plicated with consumption and nervous
dyspepsy. but his face was doleful as
a Grape bonnet, and twas plain that
couldn't see no hope. and was satisfied
with his eyesight. He had a clay pipe in
his mouth and was smoking like peat
fire.
How ara you. Mr. Sparrow" says
Martin. bright and clipper. 'How's the
h alth this morning.?
Tie invalid rolled his eyes around but
he didn't get out of the rocker. Neither
did he take them blue yarn socks off the
sofa.
oh" says he. grooming something aw-
full. I'm miserable. thank YOU Set
down and make yourselves to home"
Thru was only three sattable pieces of
furniture in the room. He was using two
of EN-, and t'other was a child's high
chair So we decided to stand up.
Don't you find yourself improving this
beautiful weather." asks Hartley. sym
pathetic.
Washy fetched another groan. so deep
that | judged il started way down in the
blue socks.
No" says he I'm past improving
Just lingering round now and suffering.
waiting for the end. l s'pose Reky told
you what / had didn't she?"
Hartley looked troubled. Why" he
says. ''she did say that you feared tuber-
culosis. but
Tuber-nothing! That's just like her!