National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-01-14
RdcheI's Wdr.
RY AUGUSTA LARNED.


before the call was over, whether
Rachel intended to use her preserv-
ing kettle, on the following week.
But there was an admirable Indirect
ness 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 bonnet aud smoothed out
the folds of her gown.
Rachel was making pumpkin pies ;
and the etiquette of the country
did not Ob!ige her to forego her &C.
cupation on account of her visitor.
There was pan of sifted pumpkin
upon the table, aud pan of golden
milk, showing the richness of fall
pasfurage, aud eggs, and butter, land
w4iitfs of cinnamon perfume were
coming and going. Rachel held up
blue pie-plate upon her hand, and
slitted the crust from about the
edge with deXterity. AT the mo-
meat, in that not unpicturcsque at.
tidue, with the plump barred arm
and ell.poiSed head, Rache! was a
fit representative of the genuine
Yankee girl. Nature had put nc
journey work upon her. The cleal
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 got acquainted with
the Braytons Rachel Z Mrs. Petit
grew was inquirng, as II sort OF
roundabout introduction to ounce
'saS' and the preserving kettle. You
know that family that has bought the
old Shor,el place
NO, ! haven't, returned Reche
with slight jerk in her tone, which
showed her disposition was not un
mitigate d sweetness; 'but | know
their pigs aud chickens, too well, SHE
added. 'rhcy have been over run
ming the garden Tor IA month past
and father is so easy he wont say
boo to IA neighhor, whatever hap
pens; but,at last, have taken mat
tiers into my own hands, and de-
clared war. We keep our animal,
at homeland expect other folks to dc
the same, or else take the couscquen
ceS.'
Il know what you can do, Rachel
when You get your dander up; but
seems to me You have got il breachN
COW of your own,' remarked Mrs
Pettigrew, who took peculiar comfort
i'll touching up her friends veal
points.
oh, yes,' returned Rachel care
lessly; 'oid BeSs was trying III thai
respect last summer. But we al
ways paid damages. and now faith
er keeps "a board on her head, an,
looks well to the fences
Wal and Mrs. Pettigrew sighe,
! Il don't know why the Lord pu
such propcnsties into critters; bu
| sposc roofing and scratching il
the way pigs and chickens have o
arnlng a living, though ,ome of 'en
do seem to be totally dcpraved.-
And if | wanted prove total de
pravity, I'd pint 20 them shOtcs w
had year ago come next spring
AS "A general thing, ii pigs an,
chickens have enough to eat u
home, they won't trouble the public
remarked Rachel, with little as
pcrsiiy, as she opened the oven doc
and tried the temperature with he
hand.
The Braytous haven't had tim
to get things ship shape. Old El
Shorter WAS dreadful shitlleSs. an,
let the place run down at the lIce
Besides Rachel don't spile your maj
ket. There is a likely young ma
over there. Everybody has Il goo,
word for Herman Brayton. Folk
says he has been through collcg,
aud knows a sight; but he don,
put on any airs, and has chosen I
he u farmer. rather than 20 int
lawing or dOcteling.
Il am not acquainted with tli
young man. said Rachel col,lly =
but | can tell him one thing
takes more than college learning (
teach some people to observe tn
rights OF others
look ont, Rachel and old Mr.,
Pettiglew screwed her eyes into II
Cdious wink. 'l've heard girls tai
jest as you do aiore now; but there
no knowing what may happen.
must tell you of remark Philal
der made last night, just as he wa
blowing ont the candle. IL SCENE
to strike him suddenly; and say
he, 'Huddy,' says he, Il shouldn't b
bit surprised II one of these time
Rachel and Herman Rrayton struc
up II match For you see the farm,
join; aud 1t would look ,as we nigh
say, providential.'
Folks neeGn't trouble themsclvr
about making matches for me, ID. ok
, in Rachel, her face all in u fame
I can attend to my own affair
without anybody's interference; an
Herman Brayton is the last man
should ever look at
Come Rachel don't get rlled,' tn
old lady made haste to say, in
purring tone. 1T was nll u jokc,an
Philander says he, Rachel hendei
son is as smart as u whip, and an
man who gets her will be doin
plaguy well; but she'll be avn
periickeler, | know she will Dear
mo! how late 10 In. must be gOin,