Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-09-03

' took possession Of It and the six small
Alders, whose tow heads were sub.
jected to q process of yellow soap and
rainwater and later to innumerable
little rolls Of paper. Meanwhile Miss
Josie's machine clattered unending
miles of pink calico and domestic, and
her energetic tones stirred the Alders
progeny to something like industry, so
that the cabin shone with unwonted
cleanliness as Saturday afternoon
deepened into twilight.
The rarson was to spend the night,
and Jake had gone to the station to
meet him. Miss Josie was preparing
to go home. having completed all the
arrangements. even to laying out the
inery in six little heaps on the bench
that raj along the wall. There were
rolls Of light bread and u jelly cake,
TWO roasted fowls and some of Miss
Josie's OWL pies, all destined to do
duty rs the funeral baked meats.
Miss Josie started down to the gate,
trailing a torrent of minute instruc-
lions to the forlorn little group In the
doorway. Away up the road she
heard the clatter Of boots and the rat
tie Of the ancient buggy that Jake had
borrowed from the squire, and 1t was
coming faster than Jake Alders' old
a mule had ever Travelled that road
before. Jake vas 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'! Levee's
broke at Carters end. Bend Niger
Wool swamp's plum full! She'll be
here by daylight"
Jake tumbled out, and the parson. a
thin, active man. jumped to the ground
and began to unharness the mule.
Miss Josie started down the road in
a run, but Jake yelled after her: Don't
be skeered. I'll be down there fore
mornin'. You amt got no men folks
to be a-nailin' and a-liftin'. Them
shif'less niggers will be a-lookin' 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.
SNNS was AOdoSo " LA SoACACoo
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. A
dugout that had done duty as a trough
in front of the cabin was wrenched
from its posts and a pair of paddles
hastily rived out. From under the
cabin Jake dragged out an old bateau
that with a little patching was made
passably safe. Then a pile of rough
planks was transferred to the front
gallery from the corner of the yard
where Jake had "'lowed" to build a
crib in readiness for the building Of q
false floor should the necessity arise.
They piled firewood in every inch of
available space, even upon the fiat part
of the roof. She'll be in the Barra-
claw by mornin'," said Jake as he
toiled in with the last load.
The hush of dawn was in the all
when they ceased their labor. The
parson Strengthened up. "It is the
Sabbath morning, Brother Alders, but
truly the OK is in the ditch before us.
o1Slcl bCII uGtuS OuI uG1p.
"B'gosh!" Jake slapped his thigh.
IF 1 didn't go and forget all about
that woman clear as q whistle, an me
a-promisin' so 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 to be
transferred to the barn loft, and her
trunk stood locked and strapped.
How deep you reckon it will go?"
she questioned.
Jake scratched his chin. Cant say,
Miss Josie. Last water l had to put
a false floor in my house. an they do
say this'll beat that holler."
Miss Josie collapsed helplessly into
the splint bottomed rocker. eff I'd the
sense God gave geese I'd. stayed back
in them old red hills of Georgy stead
Of comm to live in a frog pond"
The parson shook his head. Now,
my sister. you're tasking the Almighty
with shortcomings. Every country
has its drawbacks, but the Barraclaw
folks never failed a stranger In trou.
Bile yet. Here's Brother Alders willing
to take care Of you and"- Jake cough.
ed and looked at the parson, and the
parson understood. He went to the
door and stood peering into the bright
ening east.
Miss Josie"-Jake twirled the rag.
ged hat between his fingers and moved
a step nearer to the sobbing woman in
the chair-"parson heah has jes' about
put into words what I been a-tryin' te
say all this week. I'm a-needin' you
terrible bad, me an the chillun, an
though I low I amt much to look at
Mandy was mighty fond Of me, an
you know there never was nuthin'
wouldn't do for Mandy. Miss Josie
this amt no time for q to be
Twin alone with God A'mighty's ragin
foods comm over her head. CAM
you make up your mind to come along
with me?'
The sobs had hushed, but the apron
still sheltered Miss Josie, when the
parson turned. Brother Alders,
1 ---Y1