Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1870-09-29
around the edges, besides preserved quin.

around the edges, besides preserved quln
ces and plums in abundance
Mike came in and stood looking t,
see what chair Mr.. Smith would take
Mar didn't seem to know what he was
there for, and says she-sSet by and help
| yourself, Mr.. Smith. Make yourself a
/ home while you are here
I'VE sat down to the table, all but Lou
lisa, and she went up stairs and had {
good crying spell, I dare say.
The minute Mr.. Smith sat Down, Mike
took bis plate and heaped great pile of
fish Oh ii, and then hq6At an esg through
the middle and left Gan over the fish,
while he took the same knife and sliced
off the largest end Of the pudding. Their
was not room enough on the plate. SO he
laid the pudding on the fish and filled t be
eggs with preserves. Then he sat thee
plate down before Mr.. Smith took up the
knife and fork, and wb lie he was crossing
then looked at me and winked one eye,
as much as to say
I rather think that double-bladed
knife is safe this time, any how
| Then be put both hands on the back
)oft the visitors chair, and stood up behind
him, just bending forward little, while he
watched Mr.. Smith as he put the pudding
one side, and tried to push the pile Of
fish away from the preserves My face
was In blaze, for could see that cous-
in Smith had as much az he could do to
keep from laughing right out-mar she
helped herself as if n thing was the mat
ter. I trod on her foot and made
a sign to Mike that he must help US, but
she spoke right out
Good gracious, says she, 'how have you
hurt my FOOT and Mike, instead of help
ing us, thought thatT wanted him to do
something more for Mr. Smith so he
snatched the knife and fork from his hand,
and began to mince up the fish right
and left, with both elbows squared, as if
he we're raking flower bed.
Mike says mar, why on earth don't
you get chair and set to 2 For she
couldn't tell what to think of his stand
ing that way. so she moved along to make
room. Mike shook his head, and made
faces at her, while he minced away at the
fish more furicnsly than ever. AT last he
pushed the plate back to Mr.. Smith and
gave another triumphant look. I really
thought I should have died on the spot,
and it was as much as I could manage to
keep from bursting right out crying.
Nike says I, at last as we'll as could
speak, will you help nae to some fish 2
WELL saws Mik4, putting his hand in
to his pocket, and celebrating half min
ute-,'it wasn't exactly in the bargain to
that [ should wait on the women folks
too, but if you will agree to throw in
hand full Of tobacco with the knife, I
Vent be particular this once
1t really was too bad. burst out a
crying in good earnest, left the table and
ran up stairs, feeling as if I mover could
speak to cousin Smith again.
Towards night par came home with
all the work hands. Mike told him who
had arrived as he came through the barn
yard, and in he ran without his coat and
in his home-sp clothes. [ went down
stairs to tell him to FIX up little; but
Mr.. Smith was standing at the back door,
and there were all the workmen round the
well. close by, washing together out Of
the tin wash-basin, and par il the midst
he came up to the stoop, wiped himself
on the brown towel; and going up to the
door shook hands full minute with Mr..
Smith. and would you believe it, he went
right in to supper with the workmen, and
set down to a'dish of cold pork and beans,
just as if the table hadn't been set out for
US in the spare roam; I declare it hur,
my feelings. It was too much for just
then Louisa came down to supper with the
lands, and he made room for her between
him and par, ana helped her to every
thing as genteely as if she had been a
YoIk Lady, I rather guess l didn't
speak to Miss Louisa that night again.
sWell, at last milking time came on =
I had always helped Louisa and mar do
I'D the chorse, but this time got my
sewing work and sat down by the window,
as if [ had never seen cheese-tub IN my
| life. Mr.. Smith sat close by me, looking
out of the window, when he saw Louisa
and mar 90 down the yard with their pals.
He smiled and said as if to himself, how
fresh aid pretty.' I thought he was
thinking aloud about ms !; the color burn
ed up 10 my face, and | began to srem-
BILE, for we we're all alone ia the room.
I What fine COWS you have ne said at
last, leaning over the window-sill--, do
you 90 out and milk with your mother?'
oh, certai1 not says |, we leave
that to our help.
I am sorry, says he, taking up his hat
'the air is SO sweet aud everything looks
so lovely, I must run away.
Out he ran through the door yard, and
when they came back he had Louisa's
pail, foaming over with milk IN one hand
and. her stool on the other. | thought
should have dropped down.. | felt SO dread
fully.
The next morning mar went up to the
kitchen. chamber, where the loom anc
wheel were kept. She had piece IN the
gears and wanted me to go up and wind
auills for her, but l just took her ont
side and told her not to think of such
thing, aud made her promise that while
cousin Smith staid she would never men
I ton household to me in his hearing.
She took Louisa up to help her, and
sewed a pattern to piece of muslin, ant
sat down in the out-room with my hai
curled. aud silver thimble on, as hat
never done anything but work cuffs II
/ NV life. Mr.. Smith came Into the room
walked up and down awhile, then took a
paper and read little; but he seemed
restless all the time, and at last went VI
to his room pretending to want Something
/ Il IL s4..l all thnu nht he INNS