The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-12
neuben too we'll to give a single thought

Reuben too we'll to give single thought
to marrying any other man.
And being. in spite Of her gentle man.
ners and loving disposition to her moth
or. young lady who knew her own
mind and was strong willed enough not
to DO turned from 1t, Rachel continued
to meet her lover in spite Of the wrath
and chagrin Of Mrs, Appleby. who APP
pealed In vain to her daughters sense
Of decorum.
"The whole neighborhood will be
talking about you, next" the mother
said.
"rve grown indifferent to what the
people of this neighborhood say, moth
or" answered Rachel. "They can
talk as they choose. 1t is too warm to
sit In doors, these summer evenings,
even II you would let Reuben visit US
here. which you won't, And those
woods were made to stroll in."
''StrOll away, Them said Mrs Apple
by. But you shan't marry Reuben
Hayes If l can help it! Why, he vast
ed all last Sunday, poking around the
Three-Acre lot with spade. He must
have carried away barrOw-load OF
stones in his bag"
Rachel said nothing in reply to this,
but peculiar smile. which her mother
could not understand. stole over her face.
Early one morning a fow days later,
Reuben Hayes walked into the dairy,
where Mrs. Appleby was skimming
milk preparatory to churning.
'Do you want 10 sell the farm, Mrs.
Appleby?" no asked, abruptly. II
know somebody who will give you two
thousand pounds for it. Five hundred
cash down, and a mortgage on the
place for the rest, due in two years. with
interest at six per cen"
Mrs. Appleby stared. The thought
Of parting with her old home had never
before entered her head. but the price
offered her SO suddenly was tempting
enough. and she was not long making
up her mind.
"It's a bargain" said the widow.
where's the manp"
Here" said Reuben.
Your said the widow. II didn't
know You had five hundred pence"
I've got the cash ready for YOU"
said Reuben; land il you'll let ME drive
you into Doncaster this afternoon. we'll
have Lawyer Saunders make out the
deed"
II suppose I'll have to hold by my
word" said Mrs. Appleby, little be-
wildered by the suddenness of the af-
fair. "But you'll never be able to pay
me fifteen hundred pounds and interest
within two years"
That's my look out" said Reuben,
eoolly. "You have the farm as secu-
rity. and you can live on it till all is
paid. have no use for the house. you
know-unless ! get wife to put in it."
Folks can't say he amt clever"
said Mrs Appleby, in telling her daugh-
ter, q little later. of this offer. I'D
have hated o'leave the house right off.
But what puzzles me Is his having that
i've hundred pounds put by"
Rachel smiled. but said nothing. She
might have enlightened her mother on
the subject, had she so chosen.
A week later. Reuben paid a second
visit to tho dairy.
you said / couldn't marry Rachel
until had a home to offer her as good
rs the one she's had with you," he
said. '.Now, you can't say I'm not
able to do So. She needn't make any
change ut all. you see."
II see," said the widow, tersely.
$50 you'll consent to our engage
ment?" said Reuben.
IL suppose so. since you are both so
set on it, said Mrs. Appleby. on
whom Reuben's five hundred pounds
had produced marked impression.
"Rachers So stubborn-headed she
wouldn't think Of changing her mind
IL I preached and argued all night; and
l don't want her talked about"
Neither do ]" said Reuben; land
am glad to have the matter settled. I'll
go up and tell Rachel about it now, if
you have no objection"
go, if you want to-" said the wild
ow. Like as not she is looking for
YOU"
The wedding was arranged for the
middle of October; but, to her mothers
surprise. Rachel began no preparations
for it.
"Why don't you begin your shop
ping?" asked the widow, who had
natural longing for q cruise among the
drapers' and milliners' shops Of Don
caster. There's no time to be lost"
There's no hurry" said Rachel,
quietly.
THAT money you've got in the bank
will come in useful enough. now" said
her mother" Three hundred pounds
will buy you a good outfit, and leave
nest-egg as we'll" .,
Better than need" said Rachel.
ut would be sheer extravaganza for
mo to spend that much"
..But you've got to have some finery,"
said her mother.
II shan't want much. I'm pretty
well supplied"
THERE'S no occasion for you to be
'tingy. Your uncle left you the money
for this very purpose. Don't you re-
to see you we'll set out. Girls don't
get married more than once as a rule,
and you'd best make the most OF the
chance"
"rll see," said Rachel. There's
time enough yet 10 mako and buy doub-
10 what Ill get"
And though her mother fretted and
scolded about the delay, and began to
think her daughter had grown parsi-
monious, Rachel continued to put of
going to Doncaster to buy her wedding
trousseau.
who were those msn prowling
about with you in the Three Acre lot,
this morning, Reubenp" asked Mrs
Appleby, as she met her future son-in-
law one evening coming up the garden
path, with Rachel, whose face looked
unusually bright.
"They were men from = large New
castle firm of mining engineer" ans
wered Reuben. II sent for them to de.
eide as TO the quality of coal on this
land"
Goal on my farmr' exclaimed Mrs
Appleby. IL never suspected it."
MY farm, you mean," said Reuben.
II knew long ago that there was coal
on it."
Then you've played me a very dis
honest trick" said the widow. angrily,
while her grey eyes flashed. you got
from me, for two thousand pounds, a
bed of coal that you're likely to make
yield as much every year, perhaps
more"
Calls fair in love and war. you
know" said Reuben. II had to get
Rachel by fair means or foul"
"And she upholds you in this swim
die. dare say, said the widow, glazing
at her daughter.
Eyes, she upholds me-" said Reuben.
with peculiar laugh and a queer look