The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-12-04
NETTIE'S WORTH.
BY W. BELLE.

NETT1E'S WORTH.
BY W. BELLE.
Eyes, she is coming tomorrow, An
drew"
"Confound it!'
"AndreWw
"Pray excuse me, mother; but really
you have no idea how much I dread
the arrival Of the young lady. had
planned to enjoy this summer, and it
seems a pity to be denied the enjoy
ment."
:'Andrew," said his mother, with a
tone and voice full of surprise aud pain,
''the mother of our expected guest has
been true friend to your dear father,
as well as a faithful comforter to his
companion in life; hence if she wished
her daughter to visit us for the restora-
ton of her health, we should welcome
her kindly"
sAh, yes; but, mother, we men re-
gard things differently from what you
Women-folk do, you know. Besides, I
had planned to enjoy boating and fish
ing during my vacation, and what can
a fellow do with lady always at his
heels? But, + say, mother, is this Miss
Nettie Chester good looking? You know
we men admire beauty"
"She was called beauty from child.
I have not seen her SINCE" replied Mrs.
Carpenter, quietly. "However, An
drew, you will not be troubled with the
care Of this young lady. will ask Aus
tin to assume that great responsibility"
"Austin!"
And Andrew laughed aloud at the
bare thought of Austin, his farm bred
brother, playing the agreeable to an
heiress like Nettie Chester.
"Beg pardon, mother, but really l
could not help smiling, for Austin is SO
very oashfu], and women cannot put
up with that, you know. By the way,
nv brother ought to 60 to the city with
me. He is just good for nothing, mop
ing here on the farm"
II could not spare both my lads at
once," replied Mrs. Carpenter tenderly,
yet half rebukingly, as the saucy eyes
again looked into hers.
And, nodding gayly, the handsome
face took its departure.
"Well, Austin, what does she look
like, eh!' Or were you too shy to take
a peep at her? You went to the sta
ton for her, didn't your
Austin Carpenter rose from his seat
under the old apple tree, and threw
aside his book as his brother spoke,
while bright flush mounted his pale
brow.
"No, no." he stammered, hurriedly;
"that is, father went"
"Father! Well, well, that is good
Why, Austin, what a dolt you are!"
"But, Andrew, am not myself when
in ladies' society, you know" said Aus
tin.
Andrew smiled as he stuck one of the
apple blossoms into his button-hole.
"Come on. Austin, let us 60 and re
ceive the criticisms of this fair lady
What, afraid? She is only a woman
after ALL"
Miss Nettie Chester rose gracefully
as the two brothers came in-Andrev
cool and collected, Austin perfectly shy
with his tall, awkward figure and pail
face, and received their greeting kindly
''How do you do? Ali is this Austin
I am glad to see you. and trust w
shall soon be good friends, for nav
heard much about you." Austin blush
ed, stammered out something as the lit
tie hand laid itself within his, then re
treated behind his elder brother. Sh
was scarcely II, as pretty as pink
with her brown eyes, red lips, and hal
of FURNISHED gold, and as fragile as
snow drop, with her white, open brow
and softly dainty hands, now fingerin
the chain at her belt, Andrew Carper
ter rather liked the looks Of the youn
girl who had come to spendsthe summe
at his house. After all, he was rattle
glad she had come; but, to tell the trut
Miss Nettie proved rather trouble
some visitor to the naughty Andrew
Sugar was sprinkled upon his meat, an
salt in his coffee. His private paper
were displaced. His slippers were file
with prickly burs, and the clean sheet
upon his bed were rendered uncomfor
able with cats. In short, everything
was done to torment him; and Andre
cried vengeance, while at the sam
time he could not keep away from tn
youne lady. AS for poor Austin, b
, looked on smilingly, and studied har'
er than ever, while, as his shyness VOL
away, many an hour found Nettie Che
ter beside him, helping and encoura
ing him, till he grew at last to look upe
her as q friend interested in his welfar
and quietly said, when put upon by b
handsome brother:
"Don't be jealous, Andrew. I a
only q poor farmer, after all, and yc
are agentleman, you know"