The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-04-08

the bed that Tuesday morning. the
sight that met her eyes struck terror
to her heart. The bedclothes were
scattered III wild confusion half over
the room. The WashboWl, with two
long singing books across it, she dis
covered to her horror was serving as
prison for a small green shake. The
| Bible and the remaining HYMN books
topped by "BaXter's Saints Rest.
lay in Notwithstanding pile on the
floor. Under these Miss Wetherby die
not look. After her experience Will
the snake and the wash bowl, hel
nerves were not strong enough. She
recoiled III dismay, also, from the
sight of two yellow, paper-covered
books on the table, Haunting shame
lessly the titles: Jack the Pirate oi
Red Island" and Haunted by a
Headiess Ghost"
Ann Wetherby never forgot that
| Fourth of July, nor for that matter
the days that Immediately followed
| She went about with both ears stuffed
| with cotton, and eyes that were ever
| on the alert for all manner of creep
ing, crawling things in which Bobby )
soul delighted
The boy, reinforced by the children
of the entire neighbOrhood, held a cir
Gus in Miss Wetherby's woodShed, and
Instituted Wild Indian camp in her
attic The poor woman was cutie
powerless, and demonstrated all in
vain. The boy was so cheerfulIy good
tempered under her sharpeSt words
that the victory was easily his.
But on Saturday when Miss Wether-
! by, returning from a neighbours, found
two cats, four dogs, and two tCads
tied to her parlor chairs, together
with three cages containing reSpec-
lively a canary, parrot, and I. SPUR
rel COLLECTED from obliging house
holds) She rebelled in earnest and
summoned Bobby t. her side.
Robert, I've stood all I'm a-goin'
ter You've got to 60 home Monday.
Do you hear?"
"Oh, come eff, Miss Wetherby, faint
only menag'ry, an you don't use
the room none"
Miss Wetherby's mouth worked con-
vulSively.
''Robert" she gasped, as soon as
she could find her voice, Il never, new
er heard of such dreadful goin son
You certainly can't stay here no long
err" she continued sternly, resolutely
trying to combat the fatal weakness
that always Overcame her when the
boy lifted those soulful eyes to her
face. "Now take them horrid critters
out Of the parlor tc.s minute. You go
home Monday-now mind what l say Z"
An hour later, Miss Wetherby had
caller. 1t was the chorister of her
church choir. The man sat down gin
gerly on one of the slippery haircloth
chairs, and proceeded at once to state
his business.
II understand, Miss Wetherby, that
you have an-er-yOung singer with
you"
Miss Wetherby choked, and STAN
mered yes"
HE sings-er-very well, doesn't
he?"
The woman was still more visibly
embarrassed.
Il don't know" she murmured;
then in stronger tones, "The one that
looked like him did"
Are there two?" he asked in stupid
amazement.
Miss Wetherby laughed uneasily,
then she sighed.
"Well, ter tell the truth, Mr.. Wig
gins, | s-pOse there amt: but some
times l think there must be. I'll send
Robert down ter the rehearsal tonight
and you can see what We can do with
him" And with this Mr.. Virgins was
forced to be content.
Bobby sang on Sunday. The little
church was full to the doors. Bobby
was already famous in the village
The witchery of the glorious voice
entered again into the woman'S soul,
and indeed, sent the entire congrega-
ton home in an awed silence that
was the height of admiring homage.
AT breakfast time Monday morning,
Bobby came downstairs with his
brown paper parcel under his arm
Ann glanced at his woeful face, then
went out into the kitchen and slammed
the oven door sharply.
"Well, marin, I've had q bully time
.sures a gum" said the boy wistfully,
her
Robert" she began with assumed
sternless, trying to hide her depth of
feeling, you amt a-goin' home ter
day-now mind what I say! Take
them things upstairs. Quick-break
fast's all ready!''
A great light TRANSPORTED Bobbys
face. He tossed his bundle into cor
ner and fell upon Miss Wetherby with
a bearlike hug.
"Gee-whiZ! marm-but yer brick !
m I'll run yer errands an split yer
wood, an l won't take no dogs an |
cats in the parlor, an I'll do ev'rythin'
We want me to! Oh, golly |
-golly Pm goin' ter stay-Im goin'
Ter stay-Fm goin' ter stay!" And |
Bobby danced out of the house into |
he yard there to turn somersault after |
in hilarious glee.
A queer choking feeling came into |
Ann Wetherby's throat. She seemed
still to feel the loving clasp of those
small young arms.
"WelI. he-he's part angel, anyhow"