Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-04-24
Miseellaneous. g
Sans Judgment.

"Her-e-ry Hen-e-ry Say, Hen-c-ry
Pine. where be ye,"
AImira Commonly called MIry Calklns)
shrieked this summons from he back door
Of the farm house. The month was April
the weather for that day vernal. Crocuses
gilded the posy bed here and there; a few
red buds decked the maple branches. A
robin or two hoped wi,tfully about the
chip yard, keeping an eye out Tor aggres-
siye hens; but a. IL was morning. those
danes OF price were busy with domestic
cares IN fragrant hoilows of the haymaw
or cayernous barrels half full OF clean shay
ings. n ade ready for such exigences. while
the cock was far atield picking up the early
worm. so the robins were undlsturbed.
Miry was embodied in spring herself, as
she stood on that rough stone. her shining
hair kuoited 10 a golden bunch behind her
head. her face rosy As a peach, her eyes
bright and cool as gold gray eyes can be.
aud her trim little figure clad In a clean
calico gown. with striped bIb-spron. while
rolled up sleeves displayed to the elbow a
pair OF stardy arms. and her strong short
hands grasped the broom handle.
What do We wantf" a CHEEKY voice re.
sponded, as handsome young fellow lifted
his dark head from behind the wood pile.
and smiled at the girl, with glitter OF mis-
chief In his eyes.
II didn't know as your name was
Henry" said Mary, with a sniff.
When We can't get what ye want. It's
sorter policy 10 take what ye can git." re-
turned Sam Peters. with a smile. "Mebbs
ef ye hollered q mite louder, Hen would
hear ye."
"Hen-e-ry!" screamed the girl again :;
and as the word left her lips, q sheepish-
looking fellow came stumbling out OF the
barn with = hatful OF eggs.
Ben a-layin' on EN-, Hen-fashion.' put
In sam, IN a stage aside. Miry wanted to
laugh at this rustic joke, but she was yexed
with Sam. SO she Bit her lips; but her eyes
would glitter.
ambling up TO the door.
"Yes, was; don't ye know your name
vet, Hen Pine!"
% the NOW. / heerd ye; but ef I'd q hol.
Tered back, I'd a skeert the old hen outer
her wits"
maybe you'd have picked 'em up" dry
" remarked Sam, shouldering bis axe aud
going of to the wood shed with an afmiul
OF kindlings.
Mira threw an indignant glance At him,
and proceeded 10 do her errand TO Henry.
Sam was out OF her good graces just now.
He had talked too much to Emily Snow at
last nights quilting. And who was going
TO believe all his nonsense, when he could
talk whole hour to another girl: II did
not occur to Mira that she had refused his
escort to the aforesaid quilting. and be had
been obliged to 60 with Emily in conse-
Quence. If consistency 10 jewel, accord
ing to the much vexed quotation. ii is not
one tina, women wear; perhaps II is reserv-
ed for collar button and scarf pins.
Now Sam Peters and Henry Pine, though
they were both "hired out" TO old Jehiel
Caikins> were also his daughters lovers
q state OF things neither anomalous or un-
common iu old New England, where many
jacob served his time for Rachel, and
grew up into patriarch with fiocks and
herds Of his own.
But neither Almira nor her lovers knew
vet who would succeed In this service, nor
whether. indeed, some third man might
step In and distance them both. Henry had
one powerful ally In the well-known fact
that his father had means as Yankee
dom phrases 1t, and Mira had a keen eye
Tor the goods and gauds OF this present
world. Good hard common sense lined
that low square forehead, and the firm chin.
almost too prominent tor symmetry, told
its story of resolute will and stern deter.
Iplnati0n. She uu not unueTfAte that Dlg
farmhouse OF Sol Pines with its stretch OF
level meadows lying TO the south. shelf
cred by great hills wooded to their SUM-
mits, and on their lower terrace bearing
orchards full Of pink and white promise
and golden performance. She liked Il snug
prospect for the future, q garnished and
well-stored home; but Henry was SO stu
Did such an utter lout.-kind-hesI ted
dull -witted, with no resource and no ener-
gy; while sam was Intelligent, alert. quick
witted, and full Of courage-and so hand
some, In her secret soul Mira admir- ed
Sam mig htily. but he was only one OF sever
children; aud his widowed mothers sole
possession lay IN a wild mountain farm
| partially cleared as yet. and the other siz
were girls.
II she married him the world lay before
her, and only their four hands wherewiti
to open its shell; but then there were grea
possibilities. and these are fascinating. A
future with Henry was determined and sc
cure; but there was only peace and plenty
! and Mira WAS ambitious.
But Sam also was determined. Mature
| had not given him those keen dark eye
and that strong development Of sinew ant