Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1926-10-28
The Lord Helps
Those go.
- ~AN~ 49,
Bv CORONA REMINGTON


with disgust.
"Uncle Eph! I'd be ASHAMED! You
can't tell me you don't know how to
sweep even If you are man. why
the dirt in this places enough to bring
the rats and reaches. And nearly
broke nv neck through that hole In
porch Surely you don't expect me to
live here +
"Seems TO me like II it's good
enough for your uncle it's good enough
for you. Besides, orphans can't al
WAYS be choOsers. I'm poor and ]
know It. Fore Emmy died we was
poor, hut things has gone from bad to
worse since she went. Seems like !
amt got a chance. Everything and
everybody's agin me. but the Lord Will
provide. I've still got my faith In my
religion left and that's all that keeps
me alive!"
"Well. ] haven't much faith in your
kind Of religion anyway. It's wrecked
more lives and excused more laZiness
than any other doctrine in the world
DO you suppose IL you sit there IN ''''
middle Of a work day plying yourself
and smoking that dreadful old corncob
pipe that the Lords going to send
mama out Of the heavens as He did
In the days Of the Tsraelltes2 There's
one thing certain. Uncle Eph. I don't
have to stay here and unless you get
up and get to work I'm leavin'. Good,
smart orphans can find plenty Of
places to 60. Don't you worry about
that. Now, It's high time the garden
was planted. You'd better go hitch
up and start pl0win'. I'll get this
mess cleaned up and cook some sup
per-"
"It's too late to commence today.
It's most two o'clock" he protested.
"Never too late to mend" she cor
rected "And remember one thing
II you want any supper you'd better
pillow. The Lord helps those who help
themselves p s<Fs ~ r.. r5
She nodded significantly at him and
moved toward the kitchen door on a
tour of inspection. Dirt and disorder
greeted her everywhere. BY night the
little house was different place. 1t
fairly reeked with the pleasant OdOrs
of fresh. clean air and soapy water.
and when Uncle Eph came I'm from his
labors a tempting supper greeted him.
At SIX the next morning she called
him.
"Tf you aren't down by $50. no
breakfast" she warned.
At 6:28 he came downstairs with
I'm. agility surprising in middle-aged
man.
"Kinder sore and stiff." he COM
planned. Don't reckon I'll be able to
do nothin' today"
"Oh, yes, little more plowingll
soon timber you up again. It's just
beca use you aren't accustomed to
He glared at her across the table.
swell. by Heck, / amt goin' to hit
q lick today. Y'understandT he
reared at her.
"That's all right" she answered
coolly. "No lick, no dinner"
He took the hint and fairly stuffed
himself of sausage and pancakes and
the noon hour passed without too
much discomfort, but when five O'Clock
came and Helen showed no signs Of
cooking supper a feeling of terror
gripped him. His own unpalatable
cooking was scarcely eatable, and in
less than twenty-four hours Helen's
deIectable meals had completely killed
his appetite for his own efforts.
Weeks passed In this way--back
and forth-outbreaks of rebellion fol-
lowed by starvation and then silent
acGuiescence to Helen's wishes. It
was Hike working with balky mule,
but balky mule Is better than no
mule and by summer time the place
had almost an air Of prosperity. The
garden flourished, the porch was
mended, the roof patched, coat Of
white paint put on the house and
flowers blossomed everywhere. And
IL was the flower beds that had caused
the worst rebellion. To take his re-
cious strength and time to dig beds to
stick whole 'passel" Of seeds IN that
didn't do no one any good when they
did come up! But he knew that hun
ger was his alternative, so he dug the
flower beds.
The neighbors passing by stopped
to gaze at the neat little place and
often wondered how Helen had
brought about the reform.
"Your place is sure lookin' good"
said John Alton one day. "Now. MOTH
in l got amt doin' no good. Pears
like everything's agin me-"
''The Lord helps those that help
themselves" called Uncle Eph.
That's my religion every time. Now,
you go on home an try 1t an see II It
don't work." he added significantly.
And Helen, back in the kitchen.
heard and chuckled with glee.
HE stole my thunder. but he's well
come to It so long as he keeps on
using II, she laughed. 'fGuess he's n
q good humor now, ana Mr.. Alton'a
gone. guess I'll 60 and break the
news"
"Uncle Eph," she said casually q
moment later. been wanting to tell
you something for a week or two
Harry Smith and are engaged"
The old man showed no signs OF
surprise. Been KNOWN 1t was comm
a long time." he answered. "ReckoT
that's one reason you come bach
here-so's to git chance to work or
him agin," he grlnned
"Not entirely, Uncle Eph. but some
times the Lord helps those who helI
Others" she laughed.