Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-01-13
RaCHEL'S WAR.
Try AIIHINTA LARNED.

Mrs. Pettigrew had come in 0stenslbly
do borrow Rachel's large dripping-pan
aud she meant to inquire, before the call
was over, whether Rachel intended to
use her preserving kettle on the following
week. But there was an admirable in
directness about the good woman's mode
of proceeding so she settled down in a
comfortable rocking chair, which creaked
with her weight, and took off her sun
ssennet, and smoothed out the folds CT her
go~n. W
Rachel was making pumpkin pies and
the etiquette Of the country did not oblige
her to torego 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 We're coming and
going. Rachel held up a blue ie-plate
upon her hand, and shtted the crust from
about the edge with dextcrity.
At the moment, in that not unpictur-
eaque attitude, with the plump barred arm
and well poised head, Rachel was fit
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 strictly
handsome, there certainly was no other
girl in Basset with the spirit and courage
of Rachel Henderson.
Have you cot acquainted with the
Brayton's, Rachelg' Mrs, Pettigrew was
cnuuiring, as source of roundabout in
PRODUCTION to ounce sass and the pre-
serving kettle "You know that family
hat has bought the old Shorter placer
"No, | haven't returned Rachel, with
slight jerk in her tone, which showed
der disposition wasnot unmitigated sweet,
ness; "but know their pigs and chickens
600 well,' she added. "They have been
over running the garden for month past,
and father is so easy he won't say boo TO a
neighbor whatever happens; but, at last,
! have taken matters into my own hands
and declared war. We keep our animals
&C home, and expect other folks to do the
sme, or else take the consequences
81 know what you can do, Rachel when
you get your dander up but it seems to
me you have got q breachy COW Of your
own" remarked Mrs Pettigrew, who took
peculiar comfort in touching up her friends
nn their weak points"
ooh, 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 ftnces,' aN
oval" and Mrs Pc tigrew sighed 81
dHn't know why the Lord put such pro-
pcusities into critters; but s'pose roofing
aud scratching is the way pigs and chick
eos have of arning a living though some
IT EN- do seem to be totally depraved
Aud if | wanted TO prove total depravity,
I'd pint 20 them shotes we had year ago
come next spring" I NJ.
"As general thing, il pigs and chick
cnS have enough to eat at home, they
won't trouble the public" remarked Ra
chCl, with a little asperitv, rs she opened
the oven door and tried the temperature
with her hand.
THE Braytons haven't had time to get
things ship.shape Old Eli Shorter was
dreadful shiflless, and let the place run
down at the heel Besides, Rachel, don't
spile your market, There's u likely young
man over there Everybody has good
word for Herman Brayton. Folks say he
has been through college, and knows a
sight; but he don't put on any airs, and
has chosen TO be a farmer rather than &C
into having or doctoring"
" am not acquainted with the young
man, said Rachel, coldly; "but can tel
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. Petit
Grew screwed her eyes into an odou,
wink. i've heard girls talk Jest as you
do afore now but there's no knowing
what may happen. must tell you of ,
remark Philander made last night, Just Il,
he was blowing out the candle 1t seemed
10 strike him suddenly; and, says he
Hubby says he, / shouldn't be a Bit sur
prised If one Of these times Rachel anC
Herman Brayton struck up a match. Fo
YOU see the farms jine; and it would look
IS we might say, proyidential'
"Folks needn't trouble themselves abou
making matches for me, broke in Rachel
with her face in a flame. g can attenl