South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-12-14

is as crooked as our pump handle. She'c
no more like my Sarah than crab
apples like mellow pippin.
fhere ~ Is again, cried his mother
pretty and homely, homely an pretty
that the way with young folks now.a-
days; choose girl for her character
that's what Isay--uot for a pretty face.
That's just what | have done. said
Ezekiel, triumphantly. and I've got
beauty thrown in into the bargain. for
there amt finer looking gal in the
State than her.
wall. do rs YOU like, Zeke. said Mrs.
Greenbnsh, and we'll see what comes
OF lt-that's ALL
Ezekiel then withdrew, greatly pleas.
ed that he had encountered so little ap-
position To his plans. for lie had really
expected mach more.
few weeks after This he was married in e
very quiet way, ut his adored ones home, after
which he escorted his bride TO his parent
house, which was TO c their future residence
The old gentleman was sitting by the FIRE.
smoking bis pips, and he extended cordial vel
come 10 his sons wife so she fel. there was one
AT least. who wouldu turn their back on he r,
but the old lady had Ietii ed earlier than usual
Tor hint had been given her of what was go
ing on aud she determined not to he present
when the obnoxious young lady should arrive
80 the coast was clear, aud the happy couple
spent u pleasant eveuing-tbe fret under the
roof of their home.
Perhaps yon VIII Grd mother rather awkward
ri first, Ezekiel said TO his wife she's Got
some queer n otions bout matters and ,hings
bat ! guess she'll come round all RICH, in =
few days
%, think eau get along nicely with her.
said the hopeful young bride, for love made
bright the prospect before her, and dispelled
the gathering clouds
You will if anybody can, said Ezekiel ten
DERBY.
Bright and early next morning Mrs Green
bush. es was her usual custom, came down
stairs to begin the duties Of the day. She had
hardly reached the kitchen, however, before she
heard light footsteps behind her and the next
moment Ezekiel s Hiie kissed her alfeotiDnately
on the cheek, ant said liz a gentle, CHEEKY voice :
Good morning, mOher-whal can | do to
/ assist you?
The old lady looked al her ia amszement
/ Gould this be the finely dressed lady she had
seen at meeting. Yes, il was indeed she, ell
though now she wore plain calico dress and
10 Cked as II she was ready To do anything ex.
cepl playing on the 'pisny and working dogs &
cats Ia woisied. ia fact, she looked like one who
was cut out Tor work, as Mrs Greenbush re-
marked afterwards.
Her mother did not reply to Sarahs
question 1T first. but at length she said
somewhat snappiShly, w al, there's buck
wheat cakes TO bake and ham to fry. and
coffee to make.
We'll, mother, suppose l make the
cakes; they tell me at home I'm pretty
good hand ay maGiug cakes Forthwith
she rolled up her sleeves and proceeded
to make up The batter.
When Ezekiel came down stairs he
had made roaring fire in he old FASH
ioned baudboX stove which stood out
on one side OF the fireplace, and which
was used exclusively for cooking pur-
poses; so all was in readiness foe a dis
play OF her skill. The Old lady cast
furtivc gauces at her from time to time
rs she proceeded with her work, while
she thought to herself, Wall, she knows
how to work anyhow, if she does wear
Enc clothes 10 mectin.'
why Deborah said Mr.. Greenbush,
after they were seated ut the table. these
are the best cakes you've made for m any
day
i didn't make en-, said his wife.
shortly; 'Zckiels wife made en-
'Ieliers wife =" said the old man. smil-
ing and looking at Sarah; Wall, thew
are capital and no mistake.
After the breakfast things were all
washed away the old lady cot up, say
ing now | must 90 mp stairs and make
tile beds and sweep up;' hut before she
could take a step Sarah took hold Of her
arm and pushed her gently back in her
chair.
no mother She said, you must be
more OF lady, now | am here. You
know I'm young and strong, and YOU are
not rs strong IS you once were so Won
must let me do the hard work, and YOU
can do the easy.
This was too much for tho mother
inlaw. The tears started Into her eyes.
and she threw her arms around Sarah's
neck. Il didn't think YOU were like this.
she cried; u thought you were proud
and lazy
Not quito so bad rs that mother said
her daughter, laughing.
After This her mother BEGAN 90 appre.
cjalc Ezekjcrs wife fOr.as We have seen.
10 did not take her long 10 discover That
zoo her she possessed treasure indeed.
and Sarah's heart was gladstone by tho
affection which her mother eyinced for
her. IT, was 20 nice Che old lady thought
TO DE able, now that the mornings were
7o cold and her limbs were getting stT.
20 lic in bed little longer, while she
could listen 90 her daughter. busily cn-
gagged below, iu preparing The morning
meal. ~ was go nice TO have n great
part Of the labor aud agrest deal Of the
care taken OF her, and % was so pleas
ant, now that tho evenings were getting
longer and her sight was getting dim. to
hear Sarah read In her clear voice. from
the old family bible, or from some other
instructive o, entertaining book. Above
an, j.. was so pleasant 20 have Ezekiel
40 home in The evenings instead Of 20
ing sparkling az had been the case
lattcrjy So the young wife fonnl her.
self not only tolerated. but appreciated
and beloved ri tell You what" said
NTr1 Il-rrui,uI q, fsr Ir-Ir-1 49,.