The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-05-11
RACuEL's WAN.
BY AUGUSTA IARNEp.

Mrs Pcttigrcw had come in ostcnsibly
to borrow Rachel's large dripping pan /;
and she meant to inquire before the cali
was over, whether Rachel intended to usc
her preserving kettle on the following
week. But there was an admirable iHdi-
recluess about the good voman's mode Of
proceeding; so she settledidown in com
Portable rocking chair, which creakcd
with her weight, and took Off her sun
bonnet and smoothcd out the folds Of her
gown.
Rachel was making pumpkin pies !;
and the etiquette Of the country did not
oblige her to lorego her occupation on ac-
count OF her visitor. There was pan Of
silted pumpkin upon the table, and pan
OF golden milk. showing the richness Of
fall pasturage, and eggs, and butter, and
whitls of cinnamon perfume were COM
ing aud going Rachel held up a blue
pie plate upon her hand, slitled the crust
from about the edge with deXterity. At
the moment, in that not unpicturesque
attire, with the plump barred arm and
wcll-poised hand, Rachel was fit repre-
sentative Of a genuine Yankee girl. Ma
ture had put no jOumey-work upon her
The clear positive lines of her face told
that She was not strictly handsome, there
certainly was no other girl IN Basset with
the spirit and courage OF Rachel ilendcr-
son.
llave you got acquainted with the
Braytons, Rachel? Mrs. Pcttigrew was
Dquiring, as sort Of a roundabout in
PRODUCTION to ounce sass and the preserv-
ing kettle. You know, that family that
has bought the old Shorter place.
No, haven't, returned Rachel, with a
slight jerk in her tone, which showed
her disposition was not uumitigaled
sweetness; but / know their pigs and
chickens too wcll, she added. They have
been oyer-running the garden for Il
month past, aud father is so easy he
won't say boo to q ncighbOr, whatever
happens; but at last, have taken mat
tcrs into my own hands and declared
war. We keep our animals at home
and expect other people to do the same,
or else take the consequences.
know what YOU caH do, Rachel. when
you get your tandcr up: but seems to
me you have gota breachy coN Of your
own, remarked Mrs. PettIarew who took
peculiar comfort in touching up her
friends on their weak points.
On, yes, rctuucd Rachel caclcssly
old Bcss was trying in that respect last
summer. But We always paid damages.
and now tmher keeps "A board on her
head. and looks well to the fcuccs.
Wal, aud Mrs. pettigreW sighed. /
don't know why the Lord put such pro-
pensitics into critters but spose roofing
and scratching is the way pigs aud chick
Gus have ofarHing living, though some Of
'em do seem to be totally dcpraycd. Aud
If wanted 10 prove total deprayity, I'd
pint to them sh0tcs we bad a year ago
come next spring.
Asa general lIing If pigs and chick
ems have enough 10 eat az home, they
won't trouble the public, remarked
Rachel, with q little asperiiy, as she
opened the oven door and tricd the ten.
peralure with her band.
The Brayt0ns haven't had time to get
things ship-sH8rc. Ola Eii Shorter was
dreadful siiGiess, and Ice the place ran
down at tie heel Besides Rachel. dou't
.pllc your market. There's iiEeN
young man Over thore. Everybody has
a good word for Herman Br1}ton Folks
ray hc has been through college, uHd
know a sight; but he don't put on any
airs, and has chosen to be a farmer, rather
7 than TO 40 into lawing or doctoriug.
am not acquainted with the Young
man, said Rachel, cJlltg; bat | can tell
oHc lhing--H takes more than college
learning 10 teach some people % observe
/ the rights 0f0ihcrs.
{ Igak cut, Rachel, and Old Mrs. Petit.
grew screwed her eyes into au odious
wink, I've heard girls talk lcst as y0u du
af0ra now; but t.eres 10 knowing what
may l8ppCn. must ten yOa Of ue.
mark pltmudcr made last night, jast "a.
he was blowing ont the candle III seemed
. 10 strike him suddenly, auf, s8ys be-,
lIa.dy, sass b., ] Shouldn't be q Jit sur.
pfsed if one 8t taesa tIHH kt#Aci aHd
Herman Bmytga struck Up a match
+ For faa see tbo farms j.nc; aad IL would
iegE, as we might saE pr9F.aengiah
Folks needn't trouble themselves ab9n.
making matelc. FOR rae, broke m Rachel
with Ter faee iH fame. ! can tend ia
nav omn ST 4ir wiilaHt anybody. inter.
ference. aud Herman B8FtgB is lh1 Iarl
man / should ever look 81
Come. Rachel. don't ael uicd thc Oh
adY made hsste 10 say.in a purr.Bg tGHc
Il was al i joke. ard PHlaHdlf safs.
saws Ee. Ra1isl iieuderEyu Il "a suarI
sanhlp. aHl ans man who gets hsg Wit
be doing p.agHey wei. boz saeil be Az.
( faI pcriickerfr, know she sill. Dcav