The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-06-17
Don't Tell Kelsey Jane.

"And for your life, don't tell Bstsey janet"
Mr.. Nicodemus Harding, having uttered this
caution in low, earnest tone of voice, alightod
from Concord wagon in front OF his own farm.
house door, and stood there few minutes IN q
brown study, Watching the figure of his brother.
in-law and the lawyer, as ne drove back towards
the village Of W, whence the two men
had Just come.
"Don't tell Betsey Jaue."
Now, Betsey Jane was Mr.. Nicodemus Hard.
ing's wife, stirring, notable soul. who made
more butter and cheese, aud took more eggs and
fowls to market in the course of season, than
any other woman for miles around. Strong,
healthy aud hearty, she made the homework fly,
to use her own energetic expression; and II
Nicodemus Harding owned his farm that day,
aud was welltO.do, in fact rich man to boot, it
was owing in no small measure to the skill and
energy, and general go.a-Leada'iveuess Vt his
Betsey Jane. What was it, then, taat the ua.
greatful man Was not about 10 tell her!
1T would never do, never !" thought Nioode-
mus to himself, shaking his head. Shed be
wanting new carpet, or new silk gown, or the
house all painted over, or some such nonsense.
No. the woman is the weaker vessel; it won't DO
to trust one too far. Their heads won't bear It,
So Mr. Nlcudeuus passed through the house
| and out toward the "arn with the pre.occupiet
air of hen who nus an egg to lay, and don't
know where she Can hide it from the eyes OF
mankind to the best advantage. The kitchen
was empty aud silent rs he went through it,
| But oh ! if he could have seen the buxom, good.
looking female who stole out Of the pantry, and
as silently followed him On his way toward the
| barn.
Mrs. Harding came back in about twenty
minutes or so, with face red from suppressed
laughter.
Don't tell Betsey jane she said, gigglng
into her gingham apron. "You are very smart
man, Nicodemus, aud my brother, Tom Noyes
is another, aud lawyer in the bargain. DOM
tell Bstsey Jane, indeed Two wretches, you
deserve all you'll get, pretty seon!'
Betsey Jane said no more, but bided her time
A week passed away, and then brother Tom,
wagon drove up again to the door, and Nioode'
mus stepped into it, and was off to the city once
more Betsey Jane had asked to 20 in vain.
Nicodemus was bound on Observation-Disclosures
which woman could not understand" he lofti
ly exclsined He, lord and master. well out o.
sight, Betsey Jane went about that business Z
women could not understand with u merry
twinkle in her bright black eyes,
At 4 y. NJ, NiCodemus returned home again
looking quite AS important as before. lie tip
toed along through the kitchen, Betsey Jan'
watching him from the corner Of her eye oil tn
while. He passed out into the shed. A fra
grant smell Of smoke came forward to greet hin
an odor of burning corn COBB gradually curing
ham. Nicodemus turned deathly pale, and ra'
frantically forward to u large fire smsldering II
the ash house, aud large ham or two covered
over by blankets, hanging placidly there TIT
Yell he gave brought Betsey Jane from the hons
lnstanter, to find Nicodcmus grovelling bcor
the ash-houso door, weeping and wailing AM
tearing his hair, and utterng yell 9ftor yell O
despair.
why, bless mo what's the natter Ar
YOU in fit? Let INC run for the camphor,
sl.rieksd Betsey jane.
"Camphor Firing arsenic! Bring poison Q
some kind--poison" yelled Nicodemus irauti
cally.
"Woman, you've ruined mo Twelve thou