Mexico Missouri message., 1909-05-20
Don't you remember ,,

purple now. II looked to mo like the
invalid was having all the fun. He
seemed to DO expecting something and
playing for time. guess Hartley
thought so, too. for he says;
That's enough OF this. It's plain
that he doesn't intend 60 accept. Mr..
Scudder. you have given him formal
notice. Come on"
Then washy broke down. He
shifted and half cried and wanted to
know things. The work would kill
him in day or so. of course. but he
didn't mind that, When he thought
Of his poor fathorless children
THE children will be provided for"
says Martin. Il told you that. Mr..
Morton will care for Editha and the
baby"
Mr.. Morton? Morton? Seems 10
me I've heard that name afore. Amt
he the gambler? The one that come
near being run out of town for stealing
bedquilt from the poorhouse, or
something like that? Is he the man
to trust with innocent little children?"
There Il was again. Tho minister
was red as n beet and stammering
about ''lmpertinence" and black.
guardism." l thought he'd lick that
consumptive right then and there. II
took another Ave minutes TO calm him
down. And so far we hadn't gained an
inch.
And Just then horse and buggy
come rafting into the yard. The
horse was all over latheT. like he'd
been drove hard. and the buggy was
white with dust. Everybody looked
out of the window. Sparrow looked
and his face frightened up. callate
twas exactly what he had been hoping
and waiting for. Martin Hartley looked
and his eyes and mouth opened. so
did mine.
Twas Lord James that was driving
the buggy. and there was a young
woman with him. The young woman
was Agnes Page.
Agnes jumped from the step and run
to the kitchen door. In spite OF the
dust and her clothes being rumpled
and her hat shook over to one side she
was as pretty as picture. The next
minute she was in the room, staring
solemn at all us men. And her eyes
seemed 10 look right through feller.
why. Agnes-Miss Page!" ex.
claimed Hartley. why are you here?
What's the natter"
She didn't answer him. Just turned
to Washy. And says she:
Am In time, Mr.. Sparrow? didn't
get your letter until nearly nine, be-
cause James was delayed at the of.
fee. But hurried right over. | was
so afraid l would be too late. Am II"
The invalid looked at her. And. II
he'd been the picture of misery afore,
he was a whole panorama OF II now
He coughed afore he answered. She
shiyered. kind of, at that cough. and
/ don't wonder. II ever there was a
graveyard quick.step. Washy Spar
rows cough was II.
mo. ma am, says he. Il guess not,
but don't know. The shock OF Il. and
and all. has pretty nigh finished me
up, I'm afraid. don't cal'late I'll pull
through. but may. Let's hope for the
best, anyhow. But. ma'am, II you'd
heard the things that's been said
to mel"
She whirled around on us and her
eyes flashed chain lightning.
Amt you ashamed" she says.
Great strong men, every one OF you.
and all banded together TO torture a
poor helpless invalid"
a feller's conscience is the biggest
fool part OF his insldes. Now knew
that what we'd been doing was exactly
the right thing TO do. but felt as
mean and small as II I'd been caught
stealing eggs. 1 kind OF shrlyeled up
as you might say. and tried to scrouge
back into the corner. Maybe I'd have
got there. only the rest OF tho crowd
was trying TO do the same thing.
All but Hartley. He was lot set
back. but he spoke up prompt.
Miss Page" said he. I'm sure you
don't understand. We"
She was back at him afore he'd be-
gun.
Il think that Is exactly what do
understand" she says. at any rate.
/ W AhoARhhhAgs eAa
Sparrow. what have they said to you?"
washy cleared his throat. When he
answered twas In n sort OF beg-pardon
voice. You could see how he hated 10
speak III OF anybody. He wouldn't hurt
nobody's feelings for the world. Bless
him! he was a cute shyster. II ever
there was one.
Its like I wrote you, ma'am." says
he. They've offered me q place TO 50
TO work. and I've been awful tempted
to take Il. want 10 take IL. My land!
how I want to- But don't feel able
to dig cellars. wouldn't last at II
moren 4 few days and then what
would become OF my fatherless chill
dren with nobody TO look after 'em
And because l think Of these things
and can't bring myself to-to--passine
away from 'em so soon, I'm going Ia