Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-11-20
threw on log and shower Of sparks

CnTeW on d log ana a shower OF sparks
flew up the chimney.
How do yer feel now, Sammy
hon?" she asked as she again turnet
to the mirror on the wall.
Don't feel so we'll, kinder feel chill
ly an hot both, but l spec Pm al
right" He smiled wanly as he drew
the ragged patched quilt closer abou
himself. "Heered Their doctor talking
ter Aunt Lizzie, an he said he didnt
think I'd live much longer. Lever
years seems a mighty short time, but
maybe I'll git all right though"
Mary rushed to the pallet, sat down
kissed the little fellow and patted his
hand. ~
"Do yer want ter hear story?" she
asked.
The little fellow nodded assent, and
the girl began one Of the cid fairy
tales. Darkness had fallen, but red
glow from the burning log frightened
the gloomy cabin room. AS Mary told
the wonderful story of love and hope
she smiled. But she did not forget to
stroke her face many times as she
went on with the tale.
From the other room Aunt Lizzie
called, "Supper's ready in here"
Mary put her arms around Sammie's
neck, and together they went into the
kitchen.
Supper was quickly finished. Sam
my falteringly went back to his pallet.
Mary and Aunt Liz cleared up the re-
mains of the meal, after which they
took the lamps from the kitchen into
the bedroom.
Aunt Lizzie went to a corner of the
room and from underneath a pile of
dirty clothes, pulled out bottle of
moonshine whisky. Throwing back
her head she placed the wicked bottle
to her thin lips, and her long skinny
neck curved as the fiery liquid gurgled
down her throat. Then she put the
bottle down, corked it and smacked her
lips. Going to rocker she sat down
in front of the fire. After this there
were minutes and minutes of silence
in the cabin, but all at once a knock
sounded on the door.
"Come in," called Aunt Liz.
A man with satchel in hand entered,
pulling off warm muffler.
"Pull up cheer, doctor, an git yer
hands warmed up. Kinder chilly out
liant it?"
"Well, yes, rather" the doctor said
as he warmed his knuckles by the fire.
"How is the boy getting along to-
night? Feeling better I hope?"
He got up from his chair by the fire,
rubbing his hands together. He awak-
ened the boy, placed thermometer in
his mouth and held a watch, counting
the boys pulse. Aunt Liz grumbled
to herself as she rocked. Mary, seat
ed with her back to the three, counted
silver and coppers in her lap.
"Five twenty seven," she finished
her counting and smiled. Gus
enough ter buy it with" She put the
money back in the box.
The doctor removed the thermome
ter and readfit. He felt the boys few
cred forehead. For few moments he
reflected, an anxious expression on his
face. He went into the kitchen, beck
oning Aunt Lizzie, who rose and fol-
lowe dhim. The boy on the pallet,
with the emanciated little figure,
4 hectic flush on the cheeks Of his
drawn little face, had fallen into q |
restless doze again.
Mary was at the mirror on the wall.
She stroked her face. "Soon it'll be
she thought, picture Of
herself as she would look in a few
weeks rising again in her mind. mo
me would be so lovely. The artist
lad told her so again and again. How
Aunt Lizzie came back into the
DOM, the doctor having gone. She
ooked down at the pallet as she whis-
'ered to Mary:
"Mary, ther doctor ses that thar's