The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-05-10
BARBARA'S DIFFICULTY.


and the arrival Of the youthful and WIN
ming stranger who had been somehow
persuaded BY Squire Hawkins to "cOme
and take keer of his little darter."
The history of the next five years, in
which she herself had grown from girl
hood to womanhood. including all the
genuine sunshine Of Barbara's life, and
She knew to whom that change, and a
good many other excellent things, were
due.
Then, since the squire had been gather
ed to his fathers, what Il notable man
ager had Widow Hawkins proved herself
for the very moderate property he had
left behind him.
1t was just there that the difficulty
was now coming in, for that which, with
such good management, had kept the two
women very nicely 50 long a. they lived
together, could continue to do so only
under Just that state of affairs. The
widows share, if set apart by itself
would be only another name for poverty
True, and yet what sutton or at least
which one of the two now nearest to a
proper condition for consideration, would
care to marry q mOther-in-law," and a
step-mother at that as we'll a. a wife?
And She understands it, said Bar
bara to herself that September after
noon, as well as | do. She's a. polite
to both Of them as if they were counting
her instead of me- | must say its been
very convenient once or twice, for they
both like her. In fact, everybody likes
her, and that's what makes my position
so very peculiar"
A very pretty girl was Barbara Haw-
kins; even prettier than her step-moth-
er, and that was saying something, in
spite Of the widows thirty years.
A bit Of a belle, too, was the squire :
"heiress' i'll that unambitious rural com
munity, and by no means without some
characteristics which put the village Cos
sips at times in mind of Squire Hawk
ms fust wife"
AT the present juncture, however, the
public opinion of the Dorcas Society was
more than usually perplexed. The best
Judges OF such matters were inclined to
guess Bill Emmons was a leetle ahead, y
although this was sure to be followed by
the remark: But then, you know,
Dan Growers got ten dollars to Bill's
one, and he's a mighty sight stiddier'
And Barbara was in Il worse quandary
about it than the Dorcas Society knew
how to be, for at times she almost slIs-
pected her heart of threatening an I'M
pertinent interference before her head
could have fair chance.
:" She'd be entitled to third, | sup
pose, soIiloquized the fair maiden, land
she's a wonderful hand with her needle.
There's no danger of her starving.
There's lots of folks'd be glad enough to
have her come and live with them.
And Barbara did not know it, but Il
train Of thought very nearly related to
her own was at that moment passing
through the mind of the widow, as she
stepped lightly to and fro among the
household duties, of which she kindly
relieved her step-daughter
Il don't hear the piano." murmured
the soft, low voice of the widow, land
yet know she wanted to practice that
new piece. Young Emmonsll be here
this evening, | ought not to say word
in such matter She's old enough to
decide for herself, but why can't she see
that Dan Growers worth five hundred
of him?-not to mention his big farm,
and that's something nowadays. won't
put that in her head, however-not for
the world. I've paid dearly enough for
making just that sort of Il mistake. Bet
ter have gone out to service or taken in
sewing. That's what may have to do
when Barbara's married.
The neat, tidy figure paused in the
kitchen doorway as she said that, and a
shade of darkness swept across her face
Live in the house with Bill Emmons
for the master of it?' she exclaimed.
after a paused. Not |, indeed. She
won't have sense enough TO settle on
Dan Grover, I'm afraid Would stay,
then. if she did? Not SO long a. | could
earn or beg any other sheltern'
The last exclamation came out with
unnecessary energy, and the widow
caught up a broom and made an imme-
diate assault on the kitchen floor
The sweeping was very unnecessary in
deed
Barbara had clearly misunderstood
her step mother, and the widow had also
failed to penetrate the mind of the
squires pretty and sensible representa-
tive.
That was only too good Il reason why
the sheet of music forwarded bv Mr. En-
mons had received 50 little attention that
afternoon,
Barbara ; morning walk had carried her
past the fine old homestead of the Grov-
ers, now the sole property of the present
family representative, and she had noted
only too precisely the renOvating and
identifying process on which Dan was
expending half the proceeds of that years
liberal wheat crop
Carpenters, GLACIERS, painters, and all
the Dorcas Society was in arms, she knew.
about the eXtrayagant waste with which
the old-faShioned interior was transform
ing.
More than one village critic had added
to his other charitable thoughts the sur
mise: Looks kinder bad for Bill En-
mons" and Barbara herself could have
assured them of the correctness of their
reasoning.
She was too Sind hearted. however.
not TO add to herself: $50 much the
better, too, for Mrs. Hawkins. Neither
Dan nor | would object 10 her living al
the old place till we could find a buyer.
only wish she could raise the money
and buy it herself"
1t was, therefore. rs the mistress nj
the renovated mansion behind the
naples at the turn of the road that
Barbara Hawkins WAS considering her
self when tea came. and She was quite
willing to hurry back into the parlor
while her ready handed step-mother
supervised their solitary "help in mt
ting away the tea things
By the time poor Bill Emmons made
his afrar Ia.
drudgery in the one law office of the
village, where he was the Junior. and
and therefore perhaps the working,
partner-by that time Barbara was
ready, eivilly rs she received him. to
wish he would postpone his call until