Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-01-18
Rachel's War.
BY AUGUSTA LARNED.

OClOlC UiIO Odll hdo OfCI, nAOVhS'
Rachel intended to use her preserv
ingkettle, on the following week.
But there was an admirable indirect
ness about the good woman's mode
Of proceeding; so she settled dowr
in comfortable rockingham, which
creaked with her weight, and tool
off her sun bonnet and smoothed ouI
the folds of her gown.
Rachel was making pumpkin
pies; and the etiquette of the coun
try did not oblige her to forego hel
occupation on account of her visitor
There was pan of sifted pumpkin
upon the table, and a pan Of COLDER
milk, showing the richness of fall
pa8turage, and eggs, and butter, and
whiffs Of cinnamon perfume were
coming and going. Rachel held up
a blue pie-plate upon her hand, and
slitted the crust from about the edge
with deXterity. At the moment, in
that not unpicturesque attitude, with
the plump barred arm and well-poised
head, Rachel was a fit representa-
/ tive 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 certain
ly was no other girl in Basset
with the spirit and courage of
Rachel Henderson.
" Have you 60. acquainted with the
Braytons, Rachel ?" Mrs. Pettigrew
was inquiring, as a sort Of round
about introduction to ounce sass
and the preserving kettle.
You know that family that has
bought the old Shorter place
" No, l haven't" returned Rachel
with slight jerk in her tone, which
showed her disposition was not un-
mitigated sweetness; but ! know
their pigs and chickens, too well, -
she added. They have been over
running the garden for a month past,
and father is so easy he won't say
boo to neighbor, whatever happens !;
but. at last, | have taken matters
into my own hands, and declared
war. We keep our animals at home,
and expect other folks to do the
| same, or else take the consequences" "
Il know what you can do, Rachel,
when you get your dander up; but
seems to me you have got a breachy
COW Of your own" remarked Mrs.
Pettigrew, who took peculiar comfort
IN touching up her friends weak
/ points.
Oh, yes" returned Rachel care
lesSly; old Bess was trying in that
respect last summer. But we always
paid damages, and now father keeps
a board on her head, and looks we'll
to the fences"
Wal, and Mrs. Pettigrew sighed.
Il don't know why the Lord put
such propensitieS into critters; but
| spose roofing and scratching is the
way pigs and chickens have of arning
q living, some of EN- do seem to be
totally depraved. And if l wanted
to prove total deprayity, I'd pint to
them shotes we had a year ago next
spring"
As a general thing, if pigs and
chickens have enough to eat at home,
they won't trouble the public" re-
marked Rachel, with a little asperity,
as she opened the oven door and
tried the temperature with her hand.
The Bray;onS haven't had time
to get things ship-shape. Old Eli
Shorter was dreadful shiftless, and
let the place run down at the heel.
Besides, Rachel, don't spile your mar
ket. There is a likely young man
over there. Everybody has a good
word for Herman Brayton. Folks
says he has been through college,
and knows a sight; but he don't put
on airs, and has chosen to be a
farmer, rather than go into Iawiug or
doctoriDg."
Il am not acquainted with the
young man, said Rachel coldly: "but
| can tell him one thing-it takes
more than college learning to teach
some people to observe the rights of
others
Look out, Rachel" and old Mrs.
Pettgrew screwed her eyes into an
odious wink. 1--we heard girls talk
jest as you do afore now; but there's
no knowing what may happen. |
must tell you of a remark Philander
made last night, just as he was blow
ing out the candle. 1t seemed to strike
him suddenly; and says he, Hubby
says he, i shouldn't be bit surprised
if one of these times Rachel and Her.
man Brayton struck up a match
For you see the farms join; and ii
would look, as we might say, prov
idcntial."
Folks needn't trouble themselves
about making matches for me-" broke
in Rachel, her face in a fame. car
attend to my own affairs without any
body'S interference; and Herman
Brayton is the last man | should ever
look at"
'eCome Rachel, don't get riled, ,
the old lady made haste to say, in ;
purring tone" 1t was all a Joke
and Philander says, says he, Rache
Henderson is as smart as a whip
and any man who gets her will bt
doing plaguey well; but she'll b.
awful pertikeler, | know she will.
Deary me :! how late it is. l must be
going. Now | think of it, Rachel
could you lend me your big drippin!
, pan? Sister Blake is coming owe.
with her family to morrow, and min,
, won't take in an extra sized roast"
The negotiation for the preserving
kettle also accomplished, Mrs. Petit
grew went of, swinging the drippin,
pan Justify and Rachel,in the interval
watching her pies, stood at the win
, dow to cool her flushed face. Con
stitutionally she hated the gossip o
a little country neighborhood; an,
J it nettled her to know her name hac
so soon been joined with Herman
! Brayton's. Now, with a positive feel
ing of dislike, she looked across tn
| pleasant felds-with broideries Q
} red and purple and gold hung upor
: the fringe of forest trees, and cor