The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-04-28
BARBARA'S DIFFICULTY.

That barbara Hawkins owed good deal
to her stepnOtlICr was fact that she could
not have concealed from herself il she had
tried.
Her fathers house had been very home
OF discomfort during the dull interim be-
tween her own mothers death and the arri.
val OF he youthful and winning stranger
who had been somehow persuaded by Squire
Hawkins To "come and take kccr OF his lit.
tie Ilartcr."
The history OF the next five years, in
which she herself had grown from girlhood
10 wOmanhoUd, included all the genuine
sunshine Of liarhNras life, and she knew to
whom that change, and n good many other
excellent things, were due.
Then, SincG the squire hnd been gathered
to his fathers, what notable manager had
Widow Hawkins proved herself for the
very moderate property he had left behind
him!
TWAS Just there that the difficulty was
now coming in, for that which, with such
good management, had kept the two women
very nicely 10 long MS they lived together,
NDWlu GNlltlllNE W NO NlhGA lusk Nlht
state Of affairs. The widows share, II set
apart by itscIf, would be only another name
for poverty. True, md yet what suitor, or
at least which one Of the two now nearest
to proper condition for consideration,
would care to "uiarry notlicr-in.law,"
and stcp-mOtlcr ut that, as we'll as wife?
"And she understands it," said Barbara
to hers'lf that September afternoon, "aS
well "a do. She's as polite 10 both Of them
as il they were courtimg her Instead Of nc.
must say it's been very convenient once or
twice, for they both likc her. In fact,
everybody likes her, and that's what makes
my position SO very peculiar"
4 very pretty girl was Barbara Hawkins; Z;
even prctticr than her step.mother, and that
was suying. something, in spite Of the
widows thirty ycurs.
x bit Of belle, too was the squirc's
"hcircIs" in that unambitiOus rural com.
munily, and By no mcans without some
characteristics which put the village goS-
sips nj times in mind OF Squire Hawkins
illst wife,"
At the present juncturc, however, the
public opinion Of the D0rcas Society WIS
more than usually perplexed, The best
judges OF such mattcts were inclined TO
"guess Bill Emmons is n lcctle ahead"
although this was slIrcto be followed by the
remark: "But then, you know, Dan Gro.
vers got ten dollars TO Bills one, and he's IL
mighty sight Stidtlier,"
And Barbara was in wOrsc Quandary
about it than the DOrcas Society knew how
to be, for ut times she almost suspected her
heart OF threatening an impcrtinent inter
ference before her head could have Il fair
chance.
"She'd be entitled to n third, sup
pose, soliIoquized the fair maiden, "and
she's a wonderful hand with her needle.
There'sno danger Of her starving. There's
lots Of folksd he glad enough TO have her
come md live with them"
And Barbara did not know il, but 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 StCp-daugh.
ter.
ar don't hear the piano" murmurcd the
soft, low voice OF the widow, "Nnd yet
know she wanted to practice that new piece.
Young Emmons'll be here this evening. ]
ought not 10 say Il word IN such n matter.
She's old cuOugh 10 decide for herself, but
why can't slle sec 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 mistake. Better
have gone out to service or taken in sew
ing. That's what may have to do when
Barbnra's married"
The neat, tidy figure paused in the
kitchen doorway as she said that, and q
shade Of darkness swept across her face.
alive in the houss with Bill Emmons for
the master OF it?" size exclaimed, after II
paused. "Not 7, indeed! She won't have
sense enough to settle on Dan Grover, Pm
afraid. Would | stay, then, ii she did?
Not SO long rs l could earn or beg any
other shcltGrw
The last exclamation came out with un-
necessary energy, and the widow caught up
broom and made an immediate assault on
the kitchen floor.
The sweeping was very unnecessary in
deed.
Barbara had clearly misunderstood her
EtCp.mothcr, and the widow had also failed
10 penetrate the mind Of the squirc's pretty
and sensible representative.
That was only too good reason why the
sheet Of music forwarded by Mr.. EmmOns
had received 10 little attention that after
noon.
Barbaras morning walk had carried her
past the fine old homestead Of the Grover,
now the sole property Of the present family
representative, Ind she had noted only too
precisely the rcnovating and beautitying
process on which Dan was cxpcnding hall
the proceeds Of that years liberal whea,
crop.
Carpenters, glnAeri, painters; and ali
the DOrcas Society was in arms, she knew
abOnt the extravagant waste with whicl,
the old.lashioned interior was transforming
More than one village clitic had added
10 his other charitable thoughts the sur
misc: "Looks, kinder bad ior Bill En-
niouS;" and Barbara herself could have M
, Surcd them Of the correctness Of their rea
SOning. ..r
She was too kind hearted, however, moi
TO add 10 herself; 50 much the better, TOO