Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1880-08-14


ter all. There's pile of knotty stunps
under the the shed; you may split lew
for my cookingstove."
"But ma an"
II knew just how it would be-" shrilly |
interrupted Miss Fydget. You're a |
deal too lazy TO work. you'd rather starve
than do an honest days work any time.
81 beg Your pardon" said the old man,
mildly. "It's u good many years since
split pile OF wood. !"
an 60 bail it is, said Miss Fydget,
satirically.
s"But if you will get ,ne the axe, I will
try and do my best" he added neekly.
"The axe is hanging up in,the wood
shed, at the left-hand side of the door,"
said Miss Fydget, and she went into the
house, leaving her venerable visitor to
do as he pleased about accepting her
offer.
After she was within the four yellow
washed walls of her own kitchen, how
ever, it occurred to her that she had done
rather foolish thing
I suppose he'd as soon split my head
open as the sticks Of wood" she thought
| to herself
"And of course he knows that I'm
alone in the worli Il mean in the house;
but it's pretty much the same thing"
with a deep sigh. "And who knows but
that may be murdered within the next
FIVE minutes7'
"Thud!" came the sound of the axe de-
scendiLg with slow, regular strokes upon
the knotty stu,nps of yellow pine, and
Miss Fy d .et listened with g sort of ter.
ribie fascinati, ., wondering as she did
so, what sort Of relation in the matter
of sound the human tympanun Nigh.
beai to the pine stumps
And with noiseless movements she
went across the kitchen floor and took
down rusty musket which had huns
suspended over the old brick Gimme,
ever since she was child.
II don't know as could fire it off,
said she, "but I'll try if see any sign
of mischief.
It was unnecessary, however. Sh,
poured out a howl OF milk, first thriftil,
pausing to skim it, and then cut goo,
thick slice Of rye b~ead, taking care t.
secrete the bread knife when she wa
through. And then, seating herself b
the window, her thoughts wandered bac
to the question OF the missing brood q
turkeys.
HE knows where they are, I'll be
anything, and he shall tell me- Old ma
old man, say"
The venerable wood splitter paused q
the sound of her summons.
"Ccme here !" she called
The old man obeyed.
Il you've done enough" said Mis-
j. Fydgete, inwardly rtjoiced that he ba
left the ak sticking in the last pine kne
instead Of coming toward her brantisi
% ing it in the air, Powhatan fashion.
That is just what / was thinkir
8 myself" observed the old man, wipir
his streaming forehead.
"And now," said Miss Fydget sharp
and suddenly, rs if she fain would tai
% him BY surprise, "Where are my tur
d eysq'
II "Eh" uttered the old man.
a. "My turkeys! shrilly rnunciated Mi
, Fydget; "my brood of sixteen whi
turkey chicks !''
'e II am sure / cannot say" said the o
p man with puzzled countenance. Is
ID THAT is false !" said Miss Fydgett i
ID periously. "If yeu don't know, 70
- gang does, and I insist on ha.ing n
% turkeys back again"
The old man looked bewildered. Nj
e. Fydget eyed him with a gaze ealculat
In to strike disnay into the most ebdura
heart.
,. Madam" he began, but NJ
~, Fydget interrupted him.
OF There's your bread and milk.
you can eat and drink with good &C
science, knowing that my turkeys g
gone, do So"
l.. Apparently Miss Fydget's turke
rested but llghtIy upon the conscience
the wavfarer, for he ate and drank
the very last mouthful.
er Madam" he SAID, as he placed
-. empty bowl within the window sill
~ Miss Fydget had taken the precuuti
to bolt and bar the door.
ng Co said the lady.
ig- "But wish to say to you"
- By way of answer, Miss Fydget te
~ up the rusty gun, placed it to her she
- der, and pointed the barrel full at hi
IF you don't take yourself off, III fir
iss said Miss Fydset, reso!utely.
X And upon this unmistakable hint,
,ur old man took up his cane AMI rrudl
..a away as fast as he could.
"0 'The woman must be a maniac" S
he to himself, while Miss Fydget M
on haste t. take dose of valerian to gel
her pertrrbed sensss.