The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-09-22

That 0Z GOOD Chance eZ yours! Lousy
Ann works ez hard ez any woman
cookin', an cleanin', and grubbin',-
an never he'd the fust scrap O. hired
help, 'cept for eleven days, when Cisyy
was baby-an' she never gifts
ride in a bran-new buggy, nuther!".
casting . keen glance toward the
| wagon-shed.
Cyrus mopped his beaded brow with
a red cotton handkerchief. and took up
his hoe with . determined air, as if to
end the conference.
II hain't ben harf as hard on him ez
some folks would ha' ben. I've gin
him time, an gin him time, till my
patience is clean tuckered eout, an he
keeps a-fallin' behind instid O. gittin'
forrard. He's younger'n be. he kin
20 West!'
Miss Mahala took off her s'shaker."
and shook out the cape, Strengthened
out the bow, and set it on her head
again. then said, in slow, measured
tones:
"May the Lord hev mercy on your
soul, Cyrus Deane! Eff He measured 1t
eout to you ez you do to other folks,
you'd hev precious little to be thankful
1
She walked slowly down the road,
and Cyrus went on with his hoeing. He
didn't consider himself o hard man.
Honest. outwardly he was, as Jerry
had said, but "war to the knife to get
his own" In two short weeks he could
foreclose the mortgage, and Jerry's
little place would be his own. Would
he do it? Miss Mahala's words were
ve1juice to his conscience-for brief
minute nobler feelings strove with his
greed of gain, then. dashing down the
hoe
mo! Gosh .durn it! Jerry's got to
look eout fer himself. He's grown
man not a baby! Why can't tibet
cussid old vinegar-face mind her own
business?'
In the afternoon he drove to the next
town in his new buggy. A little flossy-
haired girl ran out from q neck in the
woods, and cried:
"Man-man-take me little ride,
do please"
He reined up the horse, and helped
the little creaturein. Cyrus Deane had
one soft spot in his HEARTH was for
little tiny children. No prattling lips
had ever called him "father." 1t
would have been better for those he
had to deal with had it been otherwise.
"And whose little gal be you, pray.
out here in the woods alOne?" he
| asked.
Pm Cissv Deane, and mamma lets
me 60 to the big rock by myself, cause
know the way She looked up and
gave a little howl. "Let me out! Oh.
| Lot n,rt1 hnl -
man! You're the man that made my
papa cryr'
She scrambled down, and, shaking her
tiny fist at the buggy, stamped her
foot, and ran away.
A bitter look came into Cyrus Deane's
face. "My own brothers youngster-
an never would ha' knowed her eff
she hadn't told me her name. She'll
hate me, too, like as notr'
He whipped up his horse, and drove
on rapidly. Fate seemed determined to
thrust the mortgage business in his face
at every turn. He had two weeks be-
fore him. He could change his mind
whenever he chose. Should he do it?
Cyrus Deane and his wife were eating
their early breakfast next morning,
when Miss Mahala gave a short knock
at the kitchen-do then, according to
the prevailing custom, opened it and
walked in. With rather grim s.good
morning" to Cyrus, and a stiffish nod
to Mrs. Deane Number Two, who
handed her a chair, she proceeded at
once to the business that had brought
her there.
Heow much ill you give fer that big
blackberry lot o. mine. Cyrus Deane,
south of Anthony Woods placer"
Cyrus looked surprised. 'sWhv, what
be you wantin' to sell that blackb' nv lot
fer?'
That's jest the identikil question.
Sposin' dew want to sell it, what will
sell it for9 In other words, what ill
you buy it for?''
Cyrus Deane's little gray eyes
twinkled. His vulpine instinct scented
a bargain. He hemmed and hawed:
"Waal-now-come to think ont,
h'aint much good in blackb'ry lot.
You carnt keep the pesky boys off of it
to save yer life"
LEI you couldn't scare 'em off, /
don't know who could" said Miss Ma
haia, with a snap. "lt's splendid land.
You could plow 'em under, and raise
most anythin' on it. I hain't had much
time to bother with it, lately, so it's
laid there, and laid there. Thurs one
or two ben askin' me bout it."
"Yaas-yaasr' said Cyrus, and
hitched in his chair.
Miss Mahala sat silent. She felt sure
of her man.
Cyrus pushed away his plate, and
moved back from the table. His wife
began to clear off the dishes.
"Sposin' you struck a party tibet
wanted it. heow much 'ud you take fer
it, did you say?
II didn't say. 1 asked how much
you'd give me for it,
Cyrus reached out his horny hand.
and pulled splinter from the broom
that hung near. 80
"Waai-nowe' picking his teeth,
"'taint likely anybuddy 'ud give you
more'n hundred dollars fer it. Would
you sell for that?"
"Of course not" said Miss Mahala,
promptly, Its worth jest double
every cent of it. .,a+-.-.
Thun-' began Cyrus, and knit his
brows. '''
1t will be building lot some day.
when the village grows. Then who
ever owned it could git $500 fer it,
easy" said Miss Mahala.
"Why don't you hold on tew it,
then?" asked Cyrus, quickly.
Because I'd ruther sell it now"
and Miss Mahala snapped the clasp of
her old-fashioned reticule hanging on
her arm.
II couldn't give 5000 fer it, no way
at all. Would you take $l5O7''
"Cau it $175, and it's bargain.
John Haley 'ud jump at it eff he could
git it at that price,
Cyrus threw down the broom splin-
ter and reached for another.
Remember, in few years you may
git $500 for it!''
II mought--and then agin thought
ent," said Cyrus, then, suddenly slap
ninV his knQQ WQa1.-co11 r. a <ro1o