The Ordway new era., 1914-05-15
CHAPTER VII.
Uncle Jefferson.

A red rose, while ever a thing Of
beauty, is not invariably a Joy for
ever. The white bulldog. as he
plodded along the sunny highway. was
sunk in depression. Being trammeled
by the limitations of q canine horizon.
he could not understand the whims of
Adorable Ones met by the way. who
seemed SO glad to see him that they
threw both arms about him. and then
tied to his neck irksome colored weeds
that prickled and scratched ard would
not be dislodged. SO 1t was chas-
tened and shamed Chum who at length
wriggled stealthily into the seat of the
stranded automobile beside his master
and thrust dirty pipk nose into his
palm.
John Valiant lifted his hand to
stroke the shapely head. then drew it
had pricked his thumb. He looked
down and saw the draggled flower
thrust through the twist Of grass. "Oh.
pup of wonders!" he exclaimed.
Where did you get that rose?'
Chum sat up and wagged his tail. for
his masters tone, instead OF ridicule.
held a dawning delight. Perhaps the
thing had not been Intended as q dis.
grace, after all!
With the first sight of the decora-
ton Valiant had had . sudden memory
of a splotch Of vivid red against the
belted gray-blue Of a gown. He
grinned appreciatively. And warned
her" he chuckled. "Told her not to be
afraid" He busted the blossom pains
takingly with his handkerchief and
held 1t to his face-a live brilliant
thing. breathing musk-odors Of the
mfd-moon of paradise.
A long time he sat. while the dog
dozed and yawned on the shiny cush.
ion beside him. OF sudden Chum sat
up and barked In earnest.
Turning his head. his master saw ap-
preaching q dilapidated hack with
side lanterns like great goggles and
decrepit and palsied curtains. 1t was
and on its front sat . colored man OF
uncertain age, whose hunched verte'
brae and outward-crooked arms gave
him a curious expression OF replete
and bulbous inquiry. Abreast Of the
car he removed q moth-eaten cap.
"Evenin'. suh." no tsaid.-"evenin'
evenin'."
"Howdy do." returned the othel
amiably.
"Ah reck'n yo.n done had er breck
down wild dat machine-thing dar. Yo'
been hyuh bout er hour. ain yo'!"
Nearer three" said Valiant cheer
t,A. ., -vln
A hoarse litter came from the con
veyance. which gave forth sundry
creakinss of leather. "Auyh! Huyh!
OATS 80, sub. OATS 30! Hmm
Reckn Ah'L bs sittin' erIons back. .
He clucked to the mule and proceeded
to turn the vehicle round.
Hold on" cried John Valiant. Il
thought you were bound in the other
direction"
mo, sub. Ah'm swins back whah
come rom. All jus druv out hyuh
case Miss Shirley done met me. en-
she say, 'Unc' Jeffe'son. 20 go 'treckly
out de Red Road. case er gemman
done got st,lled-ed.'
"Oh-Miss Shirley She told you,
did she? What did you say her first
name wasr'
Oats huh fust name. Miss Shirley.
Yas, sub! Miss Shirley done said Z
me ter come en- git de gemman whut
-whut kinder dawg Is 20 got dar?'
Its q bulldog. Can you give me
lift? I've got that small trunk and
Oats q right nne dawg. Miss Shir'
ley she moghty fond OBJ dawgs. too"
Fond Of dogs. is she?" said Valiant,
II might have known It 1t was nice
Of her to send you here, Uncle Jeffer'
son. You can take me and my traps
supposef"