Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-27
BEND THE TWIG WHEN GREEN,

BEND THE TWIa WHEN GREEN.
There was once upon times old
wives used to say-a husband and wife,
who had brought up three daughters,
respectively named Karen, Maren and
Metty. .H..i J. IA. a.>
They might certainly have been reck-
oned very pretty had people not known
them to be all three quite as stubborn
and contradictory, and desirous Of hav-
ing the last word. Metty was far the
most disagreeable. By dint of time
there came two wooers for the two eldest
daughters, who finished by marrying.
But it was years before anybody ven
tured to make up to Metty. At last,
however, even she had a sweetheart. 1t
is true that he came from long dis
tance. The banns were to be published
three times, and on the third day after
such publication, which had been fixed
at an ont -of-the-way hour by the bride
groom, he and Metty met in church in
order to be married. When these par
ticulars were settled the man, who was
an odd fellow, at once took his depar-
ture.
On the wedding day, the old parents
had made their appearance at church
with their daughter. But they had a
long time to wait for the bridegroom.
At last he appeared, mounted on an old
gray horse, with o musket slung across
his breast, pair of worsted gloves on
his hands, and large dog at his heels.
Mo sooner was the marriage ceremony
over than he said to his bride: "Jump
on that horse, and place yourself before
me, that we may return home"
She done so, although her father
raised number of objections. Hecould
have wished that the newly-made pair
had entered his house first of all, to eat
something. But the new husband
would not hear of any such thing, and
they went their ways. ~ s
When they had gone tolerably far the
husband let fall one Of his gloves.
;:a"s Pick it up, said he to the dog; but
the animal let it lie, for anything he
cared. 20,
"Pick it up, instantly !" repeated he ;
but again the dog did not stir.
After having commanded him third
time to do what he had bid him, but
with no better success, and without the
dogs seeming to care farthing for his
| commands, the man took up his gun
and shot him dead on the spot.
They then went their ways, and
reached wood, where the husband had
| mind to. take some rest. Our travel
ers, accordingly, got off their horses, and
put the bride on his neck. When the
man thought they were sufficiently rest
ed, he called his horse three times but
the animal took no notice of his masters
voice, and went on grazing. On seeing
this, The husband took up, his gun once
more and Killed the disobedient horse.
On witnessing this sight the wife felt
strangely uneasy and while continuing
her road, determined, come what might,
never to contradict her husband.
Shortly after, he took up green
twig, and folded it so that the two ends
would meet, and presented it to his
wife, bidding her keep it, till he asked
to have it back. The newly married
pair then followed their road on foot
and arrived without further accident at
tlieM farmhouse. .
Here they lived very happily, for
Metty had not forgotten the resolution
she had taken In the woods never to con-
tradiet her husband. She always ap-
peared so gentle and docile that nobody
could have suspected that she was the
untractable Metty. Now this is what
her husband said to her one day !:
s'Should we not 60 and see your father,
Metty, to ascertain how he and your
good old mother are by this time 2"
The wife declared that nothing could
please her better; accordingly, the hus-
band ordered the horses to be harness
ed, and off they went. Towards evening
they had overtaken flock of storks, all
journeying together.
"Whata quantity OF crows J! said the
man. .','f...r.s ....t .. .-
!" They are not crows, but storks, /"
said the woman. n .s .a..-..
"Turn the chaise round and take us
back home" was the order the husband
=. They accordingly returned from
whence they came. .n
Some time after the husband again
asked bis wife if she did not long to see
her aged parents. r.
OF course Metty wished it heartily.
On the road they met flock OF aheep.
"What large flock of wolves, cried
the husband. " "a
"They are not wolves" observed the
wife, "but sheep"
"Turn round the cart and take US
home, p ordered the husband of the ser
want. And this was accordingly done.
"A third time the farmer asked his wife
if they ought not to pay a visit to her
old parents, and as she acquiesed eager
ly, the old horses were once more har.
messed. They had gone over a deal OF
ground, when they met a flock OF hens.
= "What a quantity OF crows, said
the husband. ....
"Quite true," said the wife. =,
This time they did not turn back, and
when they reached the dwelling of the
old folks there were great rejoicings.
Karen and Maren likewise came with
their husbands. The mother took her
three daughters into the room, for she
was very curious to question Metty as to
her mode of living, and to know whether
she was satisfied with her husband.
During this interval, the father kept I'LL