Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-12-23
Selefteo altscellanp.
RACHEL'S WAR.
BY AUGUSTA LARNED.


was over, whether Rachel intended to use
her preserving kettle on the following
week But there was an admirable indi-
rectness about the good woman's mode of
proceeding; so she settled down in a COM
Portable rockiDC-chair, which creaked with
her weight, ard took off her sun-bonnet
and smoothed out the folds of her gown
Rachel was making pumpkin-pies; and
the etiquette of the country did not oblige
ner to forego her occupation ON account of
her visitor. There was pan of sifted
pumpkins upon the table, and pan of
golden milk, showing the richness of fall
pasturage, and eggs, and butter. and whiffs
of cinnamon perfume were coming and 60
ing, Rachel held up blue pie plate upon
her hand, and slitted the crust from about
the edge with dexterity.
At the moment, in that not unpictur-
esque attitude, with the plump barred arm
and well-poised head, Rachel was q fit re-
preventative of the genuine Yankee girl
Nature had put no Journey-work upon her.
The clear, positive lines of her face told
that If she was not strictly handsome,
there certainly was no other girl in Basset
with the spirit and courage of Rachel Hen
derson.
Have you got acquainted with the Bray
tons, Rschel?' Mrs Pettigrew was inquir-
ing. as a sort of roundabout introduction
to ounce s'sass" and the preserving-kettl
"You know that family that has bought the
old Shorter place?"
s'No, l haven't" returned Rachel. with
q slight JERK in her tone, which showed her
disposition was not unmitigated sweetness;
''but know their pigs and chickens too
we'll" she added They have been over
running the garden for month past, and
father is so easy he won tsay boo to neigh
Dor whatever happens; but, at last, have
taken matter into my own hands and de-
clared war. We keep our animals at home,
and expect other folks to do the same, or
else take the consequence"
al know what you can do, Rachel, when
you get your dander up; but it seems to me
you have got a breachy COW of your own, i"
remarked Mrs. Pettigrew, who took pecu-
liar comfort in touching up her friends on
their weak points
''Oh, yes" returned Rachel, carelessly;
"old Bess was trying in that respect last
summer. But we always paid damages, and
now father keeps board on her head, and
looks well to the fences.
Wal and Mrs. Pettigrew sighed. II
don't why the Lord put such propensities
into critters; bat l s'pose roofing and
scratching is the way pigs and chickens
have of arning a living, though some of 'em
do seem to be totally depraved. And if
wanted to prove total depravity, I'd pint to
them shotes we had year ago come next
spring"
LAS a general thing, if pigs and chickens
have enough 10 eat at home, they won't
trouble the public, remarked Rachel with
q little asperity, as she opened the oven
door and tried the temperature with her
hand.
1.-The Braytons haven't he'd time to get
things ship-shape. Old Eli Shorter was
dreadful shiffless. and let the place run
down at the heel Besides, Rachel, don't
spile your market. There's likely young
man over there. Everybody has a good
word for Herman Brayton. Folks say he
has been through College, aud knows q
sight; but he don't put on any airs. and has
chosen to be farmer rather than go into
awing or doctoring"
81 am not acquainted with the young
man." said Rachel, col1ly; 'but l can tel
him one thing-lt takes more than coll .ge
learning to teach some people to observe
the rights of o hers.
Look out, Rachel" and old Mrs. Petit
grew screwed her eyes into an odious wink.
..Pve heard girls talk jest as you do afore
now; but there's no knowing what may
happen. must tell you OF a remark Phi
lander made last night, Just as be was blow
ing out the candle. 1t seemed to strike
him suddenly; and, says he, .Huldy, says
he, 4 shouldn't be bit surprised if one OF
these times Rachel and Herman Brsyton
struck up match. For you see the farms
jine; and it would look. as We might, say.
providential-
Folks needn't trouble themselves abeu,
making matches for re" broke in Rachel
with her face IN fame Il can attend to
my own affairs without anybody's interfer
ence; and Herman Brayton is the last man
/ should ever look at :"
Come Rachel, don't get rid" the old
lady made haste TO say, in purring tone.
1T was al a joke, and PhilaRder says, says
he, Rachel Henderson 10 as smart as q
whip, and any man who gets her will be
doing plsguey we'll; but she'll be awful
pertickerler, know she will. Deary me,
how late it is. How late it is. / must be
going. Now I think Of it, Rachel. could
you lend me your big dripping pan? Sister
Blake is coming over with her family to
morrow, and mine won't take in an extra
sized roast"
The negotiation for the preserving kettl,
also accomplished, Mrs. Pettigrew went off
swinging the dripping-pan Justify; ant
Rachel Henderson, In the interval of watch
ing her pies, stood at the window to COO
her flushed face. Constitutionally sh.
hated the gossip of little country neigh
borhood; and il nettled her to know he
name had so soon been joined with Her
man Brayton's-
Now, with positive feeling of dislike
she looked across the pleasant fields-witl
broideries of red and purple and gold hum
upon the fringe of forest trees, and corr
lands ready for the sickle undulating upo1
the little knobs until their russet touchet
the blue of the sky-to where the chimney
stacks of the old Shorter place came on
from amidst their nest of trees.
Rachel Rachelr' called out "a balf-grow,
boy, running at that moment round thecor
ner of the house, and holding up the life
less form of fine cock. ''You told me t
let fly if see eny of Mr.. Brayton's hen
on the place; so, when / ketched this tai
strut at the cabbsges, 1 just chucked hin
stone, and he pumped as dead as a door
nail"
THAT was right, Jack; but upon M
word, you have killed the Shanghae roosi
er." And Rachel felt little twinge of re
morse, knowing the expense and rarity G
the dead specimen before her. However
lam not bit sorry" she said, after me
ment's reflection. Experience costs deal
as the copybook says; and Iguess, in rims
our neighbors viii find out that we are nc
70 be imposed upon. Take the rooste
home, Jack, and throw it over the door
yard fence. 1t will be declaration
war;
..H father should find it out" said Jach
refectively, che might scold like Sam Hill
Then s'pose you could bear the bruni
Rachel, eh2'
'.Did you ever know me to shlrk respor
sihilifv9s innnired RACHEL Hand ,rcon 1of