Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-08-29

NpOk HNNFfNNiVtl w u Uut tit StA Niltdil
AldeM. whose tow heads were sub
jectcd 10 ii process ~ yellow soap and
ranwatcr and later To innumcrable
little rolls Of paper Meanwhile Miss
Josic's machine vlaltctcd uncndlng
miles of pink calico AID domestic. and
her energetic tones stirred he Nldcrs
progeny 1" ,umcthing lie Industry. so
that the cas- in >homc 18th mwontcd
cleanliness as Saturday afternoon
dccpencd into twilight
The parsun was TO spend the night
and Jake had gone To the station to
meet him. Miss Josie was preparing
TO 20 home. having completed all the
arrangements. even TO laying out the
iinery In six little heaps on the bench
that ran along the wall There were
rolls OF light bread and II jelly cake.
two roasted fowls ana some OF Miss
Josics own pies. all destined 10 do
duty rs the funeral baked meats.
Miss Josie started down TO the gate.
trailing torrent OF minute inStruc
lions To the forlorn little group in The
doorway Away up the road She
| heard the chatter of hOOfs aud the rat
tie Of the ancient buggy that Jahc hal
borrowed from the squire and II was
coming faster than Jake Alders 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, THE waters a-comin'. l.evee's
broke al Carriers end. Bend Niger
Wool swamp's plum full! She'll be
here by daylight"
Jake tumbled out. and the parsOn.
thin active man. jumped TO the ground
and began 10 unharncss the mule
| Miss Josie started down the road In
a run. but Jake yelled after her: Don't
be skcered I'll he down there fore
mornin' You amt got no men folks
to he a.nailln' and a-liftln'. Them
shiflcss niggcrs Will be a-lookln' out
for their own fool necks. I'll 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 Il refuge y
dugout that had done duty as n trough
In front OF the cabin was wrenched
from Its posts and pair OF paddles
hastily rived out. From under the
| ,oI A, TuL .ft.us nm old Ian
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 II
crib in readiness for the building OF II
false floor should the necessity arise
They piled iirewood In every inch Of
available space. even upon the Hat part
Of the roof. She'll be In the Barra-
claw by mornln'." said Jake as he
tollcd IN with the last load.
The hush of dawn was In the air
when they ccnsed their labor. The
parson Strengthened up. 1T Is the
sabbath morning. Brother Aldcrs, but
truly the OK is In the ditch before US.
Sister Derr needs our help"
"Bgosh. Jake slapped his thigh.
III | didn't 40 and forget all about
that woman clear as whistle. an me
a-promlsn' 50 big Come on. parson"
She was waiting for them. her prep
arations all made. She had collected
her cattle into the barnyard. tied the
chickens by the legs ready 10 be
transferred TO the barn loft. and her
trunk stood locked and strapped
How deep you reckon II will go?"
she questioned
Jake scratched his chin. Cant say.
Miss Josie. Last water had to put
u false floor In my house. an they do
say this'll beat that boiler
Miss Josie collapsed heplessly into
the splint boitomed rocker. III I'd the
sense God gave geese I'd stayed back
In them old red hills OF Georgy stead
Of comm To live In frog pond
The parson shook his head Now.
my sister. you're tasking the Almighty
with shortcomings. Every country
has Its drawbacks but the Rarraclaw
folks never failed stranger In trou-
BILE yet. Here's Brother Aldcrs williag
TO take care 81 YOU and" Jake cough
ed and looked nj the parson. and the
parson understood He went to the
door and stood peering into the bright
enlng east.
Miss Josie" Jake twrled the rag
eed hat between his fingers and moved
a Step nearer to the sobhing woman In
the chair 'parson heah has jos about
put into words what | been a-tryIn' To
say all this week. I'm a-needin' you
terrible bad. me an the chillun. an.
though ! low amt mucn To look at
Mandy was mighty fond Of me, an
YOU know there never was nuthln |
wouldn't do for Mandy Miss Josie.
this aint no time for II woman 10 be
Twin alone with God Amighty's ragln'
floods comm over her head Can't
Won make up your mind TO come along
with me;'
The sobs had hushed but the apron