Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-14

briskly. and soon the fun was once more At high
tide.
But the light had failed for MI Sixties. He
twisted his legs nervously about the legs Of the
chair. apparently seeking to gain strength there.
from. he cast panc-stricken slances in every di.
rection. Presently mis- eyes fell on the pie still
clasped in his hands. new question presented It.
Self, question of such overwhelming significance
that It caused him to groan in spirit should ne
eat the pie? Years Of experience had taught him
that greater insult could be offered his worthieI
half than to fail to appreciate her cookery. With
this past knowledge he felt it incumbent upon him
to the pic though his spirit crushed and
his appetite languid. So ardenty did he desire
nsratiate himself with Mrs Sixties and to prove
his utter ccntrition for having broken In upon her
evenings pleasure, that he ate slice after slice with
heroic fortitude. Fortunately Eddie 10 and jimmie
10 his assistance, and by the end OF the
Ing the truth of the maxim that 1.-The proof Of pud.
ding is in the eating, had been amply verified, and
Mrs. Sixties 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 10 taken violently ILL., Mr.
sklttles carried him nearly to the clearing. when
he was seized with indisposition himself. Mrs.
Sixties. overtaking them, ordered halt She
glanced at the other children shrewdly.
We'll" she said shortly, "Rhoda Ray. sposs
you've got the backache. and Bud the headache
and somebody else the toothache! person would
think 1t Sunday morning."
The children soutly dscaimed these atlmentA
all except jimmie and Eddie Jo--they pleaded gull
ty to them all. Mrs. Sixties, never one to encour
age ailments took the limp and detected jimmie by
little boy hurried to the cabin
Mr.. Skittes few moments later. obedienty de-
posted his burden on the doorstep and started
away. To his surprise his knees began to wobble
and before he knew 1t he too. was reposing on Mrs
skttless front steps. That worthy person. bust
ling about within, becoming seriously alarmed
about jimmie. The child alternating between
paroxysms Of pain and heavy stupors from which
nothing could her.
cit the mustard quck!" called her mother to
Rhoda Ray. who had just climbed the pros
trate forms in the doorway.
Rhoda Ray. with an unsuccessful effort to collect
her chronically scattered Wits took Q tin from
the end Of the shelf.
This here is the allspice!" Numbered Mrs sS.t
ties; "aint you got sense" She stopped
short ard shifted the can suspiciously "why tht.
alnt spice at ALL
TITS mustard" urged Rhoda Ray teebly.
ut ANTI" cried Mrs. Sixties in piercing tones:
ITS insect powder, and put 1t in the pie!"
scene of utter confusion followed. with Eddie
10 voicing his anguish in piercing screams. and
poor jimmie lying limp and unconscious the bed.
"She's gittin' all the time" cried Mrs
Skittles, rubbing the chid's 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 git there and half hour back.
Lord help me- Lord help me, what must do?'
AS II in answer TO her prayer an apparition ap.
cheek and wild OF eye. holding teebly to the case
ment addressed the company:
"I'll git her the DOCTOR" he said, earnestly;
git her wrapped up. an III take her"
He vanished from the doorway only to appear
moment later with the guarantee patent conbina'
ton easy chair and wheelbarrow. Mrs. SSittle.
stopped not to question; she knew too well the i'm
mediate need for doctor. She laid the heavy
unconscious child in the wheelbarrcw. roughly
pushing aside the unsteady hands that tried te
help her. Then with anxious shake OF the
head. and never glance at the blanched face op-
posite she fastened back attend to the less des
perate within.
Mr.. Skittes gathering up his load. started brave
~ forth into the night The death.y nausea thai
had overcome him gave place to excrucating pain
but he pushed forward with straning muscles and
tain side assembled abruptly at times the thicA
trees overhead shut out the starlight, and under
foot tangle OF grasses and vines caught MS fee'
he hurried along. Beads Of perspiration stood
out his forehead. and his hands and feet grew
numb. Presently he sank to his knees then to ths
ground.
"Jrnie." he called piteously: jimmie! yer amt
dead y air ye? Yer pas tryin H., to GIT you there
lnrie! Don't you hear me- MS weak neme ,sa
he saggered To his feet. MY Cod she's a-gittina
cold" lie cried, he stumbled forward again
The trees seemed to be dancing around him II
great circle that would not let him through. tho
lights in the village moved farther and farther
away he approached When he reached the turn.
pike he fell again. his face in the dust and his
hands cutchng at the rocks. For while he lay
So then the pain made him remember.
20 Cod" he prayed, don't pay me no mind bu,
les. help me git jimmie to the Doctors" He Stun
hled to his feet. but he could move his burden
In despair he sank upon his knees and burst u"
violent weeping
Poor little gall" he cried. HE trembling sr7ni
across child pas tryin' to help yo". hut ~
could help noeSSy He was .n no spc
ing no staggered forward; sight and hearing an
him. one thought only remained.
At the doctors door the strange equlpase nalt
ed. Mr. Sixties BEGAN his story. but he never IN
ished IT,
At deybreak. when Mrs Sixties hurried to ths
Village she found jimmie o. danger. but lynn
IN the aarkened Office tho silent form OF MT
Skittles. For hours she bent over him, desperately
striving with the doctor 20 bring back conscious
ness Her husband. lowering the borderlan6 @.
Eternity assumed strange dignity and import
ance. -.
At noon he stirred "Jenk," sho said In her mos
commanding tone. speak tn me this m.rute!
And Jenh spoke.