The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-19

briskly. and soon the fun was once more at mgi tide.
 But the light had failed for Mr. Skfttles He twisted his legs nervous1y about the legs of the chair, apparently seeking to gain strength there from he cast panicstricken glances in every df- rection. Presently his eyes fell on the pie stu clasped in his hands. new question presented it. self, question of such overwhelming significance that it caused him to groan in spirit Should he eat the pie? Years of experience had taught him that no greater insult could be offered his worhfer half than to fail to appreciate her cookery. With this past knowledge he felt 1t incumbent upon him to eat the pie though his spirit crushed and his appetite langu1d So ardently did he desire ingratiate himself with Mrs. Skitles and to prove his utter contrition for having broken in upon her evenings pleasure, that slice after slice witt heroic fortitude. Fortunately Eddie Jo and Jinnfs came to his assistance, and by the end of the even ing the truth of the maxim that the proof of pud ding is in the eating" had been amply verified and Mrs. Skittles could find no ground for complaint
 But, the first link in the chain of disaster having been forged. others followed swiftly. On the home ward march Eddie Jo was taken violently Ill. Mir Skttles carried him nearly to the clearing, wher he was seized with indisposiion himself Mrs Skittles, overriding them ordered a halt ehf glanced at the other children shrewd1y.
 Well" she said shortly "Rhoda Ray I s'posl you've got the backache, and Bud the headache and somebody else the toothache! person wouK think it Sunday morning."
 The children stoutly discaimed these ailments all except Jimmie and Eddie Jo-they pleaded gull ty to them all. Mrs. Skitt1es, one to encour age ailments. took the limp and dejected Jimmie by the hand and leaving Mr. skittles to bring the little boy, hurried on to the cabin.
 MT. Skittles, few moments later obedent1y de posted his burden on the doorstep and started away: To his surprise his knees began to wobbIe and before he knew it he too. reposfng on Mrs Sklttles's front steps That worthy person. bust ling about within, becoming seriously alarmed about Jimmie The child was alternating between paroxysms of pain and heavy stupors from which nothing could her.
 Git the mustard, quick!" called her mother to Rhoda Ray, who had just climbed over the pros 0rTn n fh0 dnOrU
 Rhoda Ray, with an unsuccessful effort to collect her chronically scattered wits, took tin can from the end of the shelf
 This here is the allspice!" thundered Mrs skft> ties; "ain't you got more sense" She stopped short and sniffed the can suspiciously. Why this ain't spice at all!"
 'Its mustard" urged Rhoda Ray feebly
 "It ain't!" cried Mrs. skittles in piercing tones; tits insect powder, and put it in the pie,"
 A scene of utter confusion followed, with Eddie Jo voicing his anguish in piercing screams, and poor Jimmie lying limp and unconscious on the bed
 shes g1ttin Worser all the tme! cried Mrs Skittles, rubbing the childs hands and arms and trying in vain to rouse her. Somebody go fer the doctor quick But she'll die afore he gets here. It's half hour to git there and half hour back Lord help me! Lord help me, what must dor?
 As if in answer to her prayer apparfdon ap peared in the doorway. Mir Skittles white of cheek and wild of eye holding feebly to the case ment, addressed the company:
 'Tl1 git her to the doctor" he said, earnestIys "git her wrapped up, an I'll take her"
 He vanished from the doorway only to appear moment later with the guarantee patent coIdbina tion easy chair and wheelbarrow. Mrs. Shttles stopped not to question: she knew too well the i'm mediate need for doctor. She laid the heavy, unconscious child in the wheelbarrow, roughly pushing aside the unsteady hands that tried to help her. Then with an anxious shake Of the head and never glance at the blanched face or- posie she hastened back to attend to the less des perate within.
 Mr. Skttles, gathering up his load, started brave ly forth into the night The deathiy nausea that had overcome him gave place to excruciatng pain. but he pushed forward with straining muscles and ain ade ascended abruptly a. times the thick trees overhead shut out the starlight and under foot tangle of grasses and vines caught bis feet as he hurried along. Beads of precipitation gtoo6 out on his forehead and his hands and feet grew numb. Presently he sank to his knees. then to the ground.
 dead yit air ye? Yer pas tryin to git you there Jimmie! Don't you hear me?" His weak, inefficient hands fumbed about uptil they found hers. thea coldI" he cried, as he stumbled forward again.
 The trees seemed to be dancing around him f1 great circle that would not let him through, ths ns6+s in tbe village moved farther and farther away as he approached. When he reached the turn pike he fell again. his face in the dust and his hands clutching at the rocks. For while ne lay SO then the pain made him remember. 1. 70 God!" he prayed "don't pay me no mind, but jest help mesgt Jimmie to & the doc.o ,,. ne sum In despair he sank upon his knees and burst ints violent weeping.
 across the child pas tryin' to help yoz, but he never could help nobody. He never was good but he'll try ag'in-he'I try" Pitching and luIen ing he staggered forward; sight ano hearing ss't him; one thought only remained
 At the doctors door the strange equipage halt ed. MT. Skittles began his story, but he never fin shed it. -
 At daybreak when Mrs. Skfttles hurried to fhs village she found Jimmie out oe danger. but U1ng in the darkened office was the silent form of Mr Skittles For hours she bent over him, desperately striving with the doctor 70 bring back conscious, ness Her husband lowering on the borderland C. ,yoada cfr fonffv md ance.
 At noon he stirred. "Jenk," she said iD her most commanding tone speak to this m.nuteE
 And Jenk spoke,