The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-21

about the struggling two room CABIN
that owned him as master Miss aosie
esok possession OF II and the six small
Alders, whose tow heads We're SUD
4 iected to a process Of yellow soap and
rainwater and later to innumeraoIe
little rolls Of paper Meanwhile Miss
Josie's machine clattered unenulng
miles OF pink calico and domestic, ana
her energetic tones stirred the Alders
] nrogeny to something like Industry, SO
4 that the cabin shone with unwonted
cleanliness ms Saturday afternoon
deepened into twilight
! The parson was to spend the night
and Jake had gone to the station 70
meet him, Miss Josie was preparing
to 60 home, having completed all the
arrangements, even TO laying out the
finery In six little heaps on the bench
that ran along the wall There were
rolls OF light bread and jelly cake
two roasted fowls and some OF Miss
Josie's own pies, all destined TO do
duty Ms the funeral baked meats,
Miss Josie started down TO the gate,
trailing torrent OF minute instruc
tions to the forlorn little group In the
doorway. Away up the road she
heard the clatter Of hocfs and the rat
tie OF the ancient buggy that Jake had
borrowed FROM the squire, and It was
coming faster than Jake Aiders' old
mare mule had ever Travelled that road
before. Jake was leaning over the
dashboard in the effort to hurry Old
Mag along. He shouted something
nearer and Miss Josie stood stock
still. ''rhe waters a.comin'! Levee's
broke at Carriers end, Bend Niger
Wool swamp's plum full! She'll be
here by daylight
Jake tumbled out. aud the parson, a
thin, active man, jumped to the ground
and began TO unharaeSs the mule,
Miss Josie started down the road In
a run. but Jake yelled after her: Don't
he skeered I'll he down there fore
mornin'. You amt got no men folks
TO be a-nailin' and a-liftin', Them
shif'less niggers win be a-lookin' out
for their own fool necks. III put your
chickens an things in the loft an'
your stock on my mound an - But
the dark had swallowed Miss Josie.
Jake was reused from his careless
ease. Other years had left their les
son. Aided by the parson, he drove
his cattle into the field where the old
Indian mound afforded a refuge. 4
dugout that had done duty as trough
in front Of the cabin was wrenched
from its posts and pair of paddles
hastily rived ont. From under the
tabin Jake dragged out an old bateau
that with little patching was made
passably safe. Then pile Of rough
planks was transferred to the front
gallery from the corner Of the yard
where Jake had lowed to build Il
crib in readiness for the building of 4
false floor should the necessity arise
They piled tirewood In every inch Of
available space, even upon the tlat part
of the roof. She'll be in the Barra
claw by mornin',p said Jake as be
toiled In with the last load
The hush of dawn was In the ali
when they ceased their labor. r.,
larson Strengthened up. 1T is th
sabbath morning, Brother Alders, bu,
ruly the OK is in the ditch before u>
Sister Derr needs our help"
"B'gosh" Jake slapped his thigh
If / didn't go and forget all about
hat woman clear as whistle, an mt
-promisin' so big. Come on. parson
She was waiting for them, her prep
rations all made. She had collected
er cattle into the barnyard, tied the
hiekens by the legs ready to be
transferred to the barn loft, and her
runk stood locked and strapped.
How deep you reckon It will go?
he questioned.
Jake scratched his chin. Cant say
liss Josie Last water | had to put
false floor in my house. an they do
ay this'll beat that holIer.'
Miss Josie collapsed helplessy into
he splint bottomed rocker. IF I'd the
ense God gave geese I'd stayed back
n them old red hills of Georgy stead
t comm to live In frog pond"
The parson shook his head. Now.
ny sister, you're tasking the Almighty
With shortcomings. Every country
las its drawbacks. but the Barraclaw
olks never failed stranger in trou-
lie yet. Here's Brother Alders willing
0 take care Of you and Jake cough
d and looked at the parson, and the
larson understood He went to the
Ioor and stood peering into the bright.
ming east.
Miss Josie"-Jake twirled the rag
ed hat between his fingers and moved
step nearer to the sobbing woman IN
he chair-"parson heah has jes' about
ut into words what been a-tryin' to
ay all this week. Pm a-needin' you
errible bad, me an the chillun, an
lough | low | amt mucn to look at.
fandy was mighty fond Of me, an
ou know there never was, nuthln'
7ouldn't do for Mandy. Miss Josie.
his amt no time for a woman to be
vim alone with God Amighty's ragin'
oods comm over her head. Can't
on make up your mind to come along
18th meT'
The sobs had hushed. but the apron
ill sheltered Miss Josie, when the
arson turned. Brother Alders. |
,ou1d gIlpgnSt that Won annd Tor, +c {