Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-11
selttt storp.
RACHEL'S WAR.
BY AUGUSTA LARNEp,

Mrs, Pettigrew had come in ostensibly
10 borrow Racbels large dripping.pan
and she meant to enquire, before the call
WAS over. whether Rachel intended to use
her preserving kettle on the following
week. But there was an admirable indi
rectneSs about the woman's mode of pro-
ceeding; so she settled down in COM
Portable rocking-chair, which creaked with
her weight. and 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
her TO forego her occupation on account
/ Of her visitor-rhere was a pan OF siited
pumpkin on the table and pan of golden
milk, showing the richness OF full pas
turage. and eggs. and whiffs OF cinnamon
were coming and going. Rachel held up
a blue pie-plaie upon her hand, and Slitted
/ the crust from about the edge with deN-
terity. AT the moment, in that not un-
picturesque attitude. with the plnmp bare
arm and well,poised head, Rachel was
ft representative of the genuine Yankee
girl. Nature had put no journey-work
upon her The clear. positive lines OF
her face told that. II she was not strict.
4 " handsome, there certainly was no other
girl in BasSet with the spirit and courage
of Rachel Henderson.
Have you got acquainted with the
Braytons. Rachel?" Mrs. Pettigrew was
/ inQuiring. as sor; of roundabout intro
duction TO ounce 'sass" and the preserr
ing kettle. You know. that family that
has bought the old Shorter place"
NO. haven't" returned Rachel, with
slight jerk in her tone, which showed
her disposition was not unmitgated sweet
ness; "but l know their pigs and chick
ems too well" she added.-"They have
been overrunning the garden for a month
past, and father is SO easy he won't say
boo to u 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 con
sequences"
Il know what you can do, Rachel.
when you get your dander up but seems
to me you have got breachy COW of your
own,~ remarked Mrs. Pettigrew, who
took peculiar comfort in touching up hel
friend on her weak points.
"Oh, yes" returned Rachel, carelessly
old BeSs was trying in that respect las
summer. But we always pay damages
and now father keeps board on her heaC
and looks well 70 the fences"
Wal" and Mrs. Pet,igrew sighed, 81
don't know why the Lord put such pro
pensities into critters but l suppose loot
ing and scratching is the way pigs anC
chickens have of arning living, though
some of'em do seem to be totally deprav
ed. And il wanted TO prove total de
prayity, I'd pint TO them shotes we had ;
year ago come next spring"
"As a general thing, if pigs and chick
ems have enough to eat at home, the!
won't trouble the public" remarked Ra
chel, with little asperity, as she opened
the oven door and tried the temperature
with her hand.
The Braytons haven't had time to &c
things ship-shape. Old Eli Shorter wa
dreadful shiftless, and let the plac,
run down at the heel. Besides, Rachel
don't spoil your market. There's likel,
young man over there. Every body has
word for Herman Brayton. Folks say h
has been through college, and knows
sight, but he don't put on airs, and ha
chosen to be farmer, rather than TO g,
into lawing or dOctoring."
Il am not acquainted with the youn,
man." said Rachel coIdIy; but I can tel
= him one thing-it takes more than colleg
learning to teach some people to observ
the rights of others"
Look out. Rachel" and Mrs Pettigre,
screwed her eyes into an odious win
'.rve heard girls talk jest as you do afor
= now; but there's no knowing what ma
= happen. must tell You OF remark Phi
lander made last night, just as he wa
blowing out the candle. Ii seemed
strike him suddenly; and says he 'Hudd.
= says he Il shouldn't be bit surprise
if one of these times Rachel and HERNIA
Brayton struck up match. For you Sc
the farms jine; and it would look, as W
might say, providential."
II Folks needn't trouble themselvt