Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-11

Interference. and Herman Brayton is the
last man l should ever look at"
''Come, Rachel, don't get riled." the
old lady made haste 10 say in purring
tone. 1T was all joke, and Philander
says, says he. Rachel Henderson is as
smart as whip, and any man who gets
her will be doing plagucy well but she'll
be awful particular. know she will
Deary me! how late it is. | must be 60
ing. Now think Of it, Rachel, could
you lend me your drippen panP Sister
Blake is coming over with her family to.
morrow, and mine won't take an extra
size roast
The negotiation for the preserving ket
tie also accomplished, Mrs. Peitigrew
went off, swinging the dripping pan lusii'
! ly; and Rachel, in the interval of watch
ing her pies. stood at the window to cool
her flushed face Constitutionally she
hated the gossip of little country neigh
borhood and it nettled her to know her
name had so soon been joined with
Herman Brayton's. Now, with a posi-
tive feeling OF dislike. she looked across
the pleasan, fields broideries of red
and purple and gold hung upon the
fringe of forest trees. and com lands
ready for the sickle, undulating upon the
little knolls until their rusSet touched the
blue sky-to where the chimney stacks OF
the old Shoiter place came from amidst
their nest oi trees.
Rachel Rachelm called out half
grown boy. running at that moment round
the corner Of the house and holding up
the lifeless form of fine cock. You
told me TO let it fly if see any OF Bray
tons hens on the place; so when | ketch-
ed this tall strut at the cabbages just
chucked him stone and he pumped as
dead as door nail"
That was right. Jack; but upon my
word you have killed the Shanghe roos'
ter. And Rachel felt little twinge OF
remorsc, knowing the expense and rarity
of the dead specimen before her. "llow.
ever, I am not bit sorry" she said, after
moments reflection. Experience costs
dear, as the copy book says; and guess
in time. our neighbors will find out that
We are not to be imposed upon. Take
the rooster home Jack, and throw it over
the dooryard fence. twill be n declara-
ton of war"
"If father should find it out" said Jack
rcflectively, "he might scold like Sam
Hill. Then, spose you couli bear the
brunt, Rache, eh9"
"Did you ever know me to shirk re-
sponsihilities inquired Rachel. loftily.
"Go along. Jack. and don't be coward.
When Jack came in with the men folks
at dinner time he looked sulky and out OF
sorts, and kept ,elegraghing indumb show
10 Rachel across the table, until at last
when she got up to cut the pie he follow
ed her into the buttery and shut the door.
II tell you what it is. Rache," he broke
out, ''that was a sneaky piece Of business
and don't mean to doany more such jobs.
threw the rooster into Brayton's yard
and then got behind tree; and pretty
soon one of the girls came out and found
it, and began boohooing like baby. As
near as | could make out it was present
to her. and she had raised it in baske;
and felt jus, as if l had been stealing a
sheep"
LET them boohoo, replied Rachel will
severe dignity. "Thcy ought to think
enough of their choice fowls to keep
them at home"
Alter the dinner dishes were out OF the
way and the chores were all done up Ra'
chel replenished her fire and put on an
extra sized kettle OF water TO heat. Then
she went up stairs and changed her dress
and when she came down again there
was bit of lace collar with transferred
work, and a cherry bow at the throat o.
her delane dress, over which she wore
iaunty black silk apron with braided
pockets.
She seated herself with her work bask
ct at The sitting room window, almost a'
if looking for company, and let her gaze
wander down a visible stretch OF road
where golden rod and asters bloomed
and the sumach bushes beside the ole
stone walls appeared to dip with scarle
color. and the pokeberry was turning Wv
id purple. Presently her eyes lit up witt
CLEAN oftriumph. There were the Bray
ton pigs nosing along through the dns
of the road, and for once she was glad Il
see the pests. They were long shouted
slab sided animals. with plentiful marx
OF the slough upon their coats, and unap
peasablc appetites. Rachel waited witt
a grim species of amusement to see then
turn in fiom habit toward the Henderson
side gate, which was shaded by huge
black cherry tree, and begin The process
of roofing under. They dug with tn
nozzle, bent the fore legs inclined the dor
sal column and lifted powerfully, unit
the gatewas Unattached, d.thc whole bris
tly tribe poured into the yard with grnnt
Of satisfaction.
Under one of the kitchen windows la.
tempting pile of potato parng', prev
ously prepared for bait. which vicious
, old female, and mother of numerous dis
| L. ah;lLrar ;n,rnnl;atalr Scnntnd