The Dolores star., 1909-07-30

Thursday the News was published.
and Thursday afternoon Jane Moore
was accustomed TO bring home Mrs.
Bascom's weeks wash" Mrs. Bas-
com arranged a delightful plan for
observing that worthy spinster's sur
prise and delight when she should
first read "The Beauty of Piety." Az
result. when Jane knocked at the
kitchen door on this eventful Thurs
day II was opened by one of Mrs Bas-
CONS admiring friends. (Mrs. Bas-
com was in the adjoining pantry. with
the door half open.)
Amt Mis- Bsscom to hum?" In.
quired Jane. somewhat surprised.
She'll be here pretty soon. Won't
you sit DOWN." said the neighbor, hos
pitably. "You must be tired carrying
that heavy basket"
wal. yes." admitted Jane, II am
plum beat out. II l could only git
that good-fer-nothin' Jim to-"
But the neighbor did not seem to
be listening. She was nervously I'm
gering a paper she held In her hand,
and interrupted with:
Have you seen this weeks News?
1t has Just come. and there's a poem
in It by Mrs. Bascom that I think Is
better than anything she ever wrote"
HUH" calculated Jane. II sh'd
hope so! I'm sure that's not sayin'
much!" But she sat down and,
taking the profered paper. began to
fead.
whats this?" she exclaimed, Jump
Ing up excitedly-" name was Moore!'
I'D like to know what right she's got
to drag me into her po'try. Worked
from early morn till night Stun an
nonsense! That lazybones of Jim
never done lick in his life that he
didn't Jest hafto Both lay down to
rise no more Sounds fer all the
world like they starved to death. The
idee!-starved to death, pa an mai"
An she began to walk about the room
in angry excitement. Its a lie!
can prove it's lie! Ev'rybody round
here knows ma died o. consumption
and pa O. lung fever The paper
shook In her hands as she read the
remaining lines aloud in an angry
tone.
where is Mis- Bascom?" she de-
manded Of the frightened neighbor.
I'll have the law on her fer this!
I'll learn her better than to slander
respectable folks. Pll-Ill-" She
stumbled on the threshold and fell
back against the pantry door. Mrs.
Bascom. confused and trembling at
the unexpscted turn events had taken,
|sstoods besora- hes.. ~
At the sight Of the poetess James
Indignation reached It's climax. She
fairly choked In q vain attempt to
give adequate expression to her feel
ings. With shaking hand she -four
ished the obnoxious verses before the
pale face Of the authoress.
I'D sue you fer libel" she cried In
irate tones; I'D do 1t in a minute II
'twan't fer Alonxo Bascom's havin' It
all to pay. Poor man. pity him!
Fourteen holes in his socks this
blessed week, an one so big run my
fist clean through it! His shirts with
not button on 'em an all tore out
with safety-pins! The Beauty Of
Piety' Humph with a snort Of
contempt-"the beauty OF lasiness
call 1t. II you'd do some rubbin' an
rinsin' yourself once in while mebbe
you wouldn't see SO much po'try
In IT,"
Come Jane, come!" interceded the
neishbor. laying an entreating hand
upon the arm Of the wrathful spin.
ster. don't say any more: you knoy
how nervous Mrs. Bascom is"
Fer the sake O. that poor. abused
man Alonzo Bascom I'll go home an
say nothin'. But II you write any
more po'try bout me''-and her anger
famed up again as she reached the
kitchen door-"I'll-IIl count the
holes in the socks an the missin' but.
tons. an'-an' I'll have 'em put in the
paper 'longside the pome. I Wilt"
"P-pearls before swine!" gasped
Mrs. Bascom family as she sank into