The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1914-09-25

Abe Was Fumlng and Indignant
yer hair? She'll feel real hurt eff she
don't smell 1t on yer when yew go
down stairs"
Abe made a wry face, took up tho
tiny bottle OF Jockey Club" and
rubbed few drops on his hands. His
hands would wash, and so he could
find some way OF removing the odor
before he reached the station and
the men.
"I'll be some glad ter git away from
these here fussy old hens fer a spell,
he grumbled, as he slammed the vial
back on the bureau: but Angy looked
so reproachful and grieved that he
felt ashamed OF his ingratltude, and
asked with more Eentlencss;
"Ycw goin ter miss me, mother?"
Then tho old wife was ashamed to
find herself shaking of n sudden, and
grown wrctchcdly afraid--afraid of
the separation, afraid of the harden.
ing" process. afraid OF she knew not
what
I'm glad faint goin' ter DO fer all
winter this time" she said simply;
then arose TO open the door in order
that he might not see the rush Of tcare
to her foolish old eyes.
According to the arrangement. Cap
tain Darby was to drive over from
Twin Coyes with his hired man, and
Ezra. after taking the two old men to
the bay, was TO return to the Home
for Angy and her little trunk.
When Samuel drove up to tho front
door, he found Abe pacing the porch,
his coat collar turned up about his
neck his shabby fur cap pulled over
his brow. his carpetbag on the step,
and, piled on the bench at the side Of
the door, an assortment OF wooden
articles fully six feet high, which aft
erward developed to be shawls, cupes,
hoods, conlforters wrlstlets. leggings,
nubias. fasclnators. Euernseys, blank
cts and coats.
Abe was Tuning and indignant,
scornful of tho contributions. and vow.
Ing that. though the sisters might re,
gard a scooter as n freight ocean
liner he would carry nothing with him
but what he wore and his carpetbag,
AN right yer be" pronounced
Samuel, with a glance at the laden
bench and shake OF his head which
said as plainly as words, Brother
from what am | not delivering thee?'
The sisters came busting out OF the
door, Mrs. Holman in the lead, Angy
submerged In the crowd, and from
that moment there was such fuss. sc
much excitement, 80 many instruc
lions and directions for the two ad
venturers, that Abraham found him
self In the carriage before he had
kissed Angy goodby.
He had shaken hands. perhaps moi
altogether graciously, with every one
else, even with the deaf.and.dumb gar
dener. who came out OF his hiding
place to witness the setting-out. Be
ing dared to by all the younger sisters
he had waggishly brushed his beGrt
against Aunt Nancy Smiths cheek
and then he had taken his place be
eide Samuel without touch or wore
of parting to his wife.
He turned in his seat to wave t.
the group on the porch, his eyes rest
ing In a sudden hunger upon Ange
lines frail slender figure, as he re
membered. She knew that he hat
forgotten In the furry of his leave
taking, and she would have hastenet
down the steps to stop the carriage
but all the old ladies' were there t
see, and she simply stood, and gaset
after the vehicle as II rolled away
slowly behind the jog trot of Samuers
safe old calico horse. She stood and
looked, holding her chin very high
and trying to check It's unsteadiness
sense OF loneliness and desolatior
fell over the Home. Piece by piec'
the sisters put away all the clothing
they had offered in vain to Abe. They
said that the house was already dul
without his presence. Miss Abigail
began to plan what she should hav'
for dinner the day OF his return.
No one seemed to notice Angy. Sh'
felt that her own departure woui'
create scarcely n stir; for, withou
Abraham, she was only one OF grou
Of poor old women in semi.charit
home.
Slowly sho started up the stairs TO
her bonnet and the old broche shaw
When she reached the landing, wher
lay the knitted mat of the three-sta
pattern, the matron called up to he
In tragic tones
"Angy Rose, Jest thought OF !
He never kissed yew good.byw- -