Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-01-25

What goin' to do bout it?" ask.
ed the little boy Aunt Minerva sbo'
VIII be mad. These here's bran-snankin,
new trousers what amt never wore
tel today. Amt you got a needle an
thread SOS you can fix 'em. Sam?"
Nary er needle" said Sam Lamb
Is my union suit tore. too?" asked
Billy again turning his back for in.
spection.
His friend made a close exanipa.
ton.
"Yo' unions is injured plum scan
erious,' was his discouraging decision
and hit pears ter me dat va, hide
uone suffer. too; you's got er turribIe
scratch" ''''
The child sighed. The injury to the
uesh was of small importance-be
could hide that from his aunt-but the
rent in his trousers was a serious
matter.
! wish l could get 'em mended fore
goes home" he said wistfully.
l tell you what do" suggested
Sam, L low Miss Cecilia1l holp yeh:
Jest go by her house an she'll darn
EN- up fer yeh."
Billy hesitated.
Wen, you see, Sam, me an Miss
Cecilia's engaged an we's fixin' TO
marry Jes' S soon's 1 put on long
pants, an / shame to ask her. An
l don't believe young 'omans patches
me breeches of young mans what
they's goin' to marry nohow. Do vou9
] Aunt Minerva ain never patched no
breeches for the major And then"
with a modest blush, my unions Is
tore, too, an l amt got on nothin' else
to hide my skin"
Again he turned his back to his
friend and, his clouded little face look.
ing over his shoulder, he asked: DO
my meat show, Sam?"
"She am visible ter the naked eve"
and Sam Lamb laughed loudly at his
own wit.
Il don't believe God pays me much
attention nOhow," said the little boy
dolefully; "ev'y day gets put to bed
cause sumpin's ali time a-happenin'.
If he'd had eye on me like he ought
er they wouldn't a been no snaggin'.
Aunt Minerals goin' to be mad th'oo
an th'oo."
May be my oil oman can fix EN-.
SOS dey won't be so turrible bad
suggested the negro, faint fer, so
you jes' run down ter my cabin an tell
Sukey 1 say fix dem breeches."
The child needed no second bidding
he fairly flew. Sans wife was cook
ing, but she cheerfully stopped her
work to help the little boy. She sew
ed up the union suit and put 4 bright
blue patch on his brown linen
| brooches.
Billy felt a little more cheerful.
though he still dreaded confessing to
his aunt, and he loitered along the
way till it was nearly dark. Supper
was ready when he got home and he
walked into the dining room with his
customary ease and grace. But he took
his seat uneasily, and he was so quiet
during the meal and ate so little that
his aunt asked him if he was sick.
He was planning in his mind how to
break the news of the days disaster
to her.
You are improving, William" she
remarked presently, you haven't got
into any mischief today. You have
been a mighty good little boy now for
two days"
Billy flushed at the compliment and
shifted uneasily in his seat. That
patch seemed to burn him.
'If God'd jest do his part" he said
| darkly, Il wouldn't never git in no
meanness."
After supper Miss Minerva washed
the dishes in the kitchen sink and
Billy carried them back to the dining
room. His aunt caught him several
times prancing sideways in the most
idiotic manner. He was making a
valiant effort to keep from exposing his
rear elevation to her; ouce he had to
walk backward
William" she said, sharply, 'you
will break my plates. What is the
matter with you tonight?"
A little later they were sitting qui-
city in Miss Minerva's room. She was
reading. ''The Christian at Home" and
ne was absently looking at a picture
book P'0'uA
sam Lambs wife Sukey sho' is a
DeautiIui patcher," he remarked, feel.
ing his way.
She made no answering comment
and the discouraged little boy was si.
lent for few minutes. He had worn
aunt enjoys many-colored patches too
oiten TO be ashamed of this one for
himself but he felt that he would like
10 draw his aunt out and find how she
STOOD on the subject of patches.
Aunt Minerva" he presently ask
cd what sorter patches'd you ruther
wear on yo' pants, blue patches or
brown?"
(To BE CoNTNUEn.)