Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-09-26
THE OLD CHERRY FARM,


''Sech reedikls thing to do "declared
Aunt Lurainey Mdlford. 81 sh'u'd say
Hazel wasn't in her. sane senses :"
The Mulford connection, far and near,
were terribly exercised over the fact that
this Hazel IIeathton had invested six
hundred dollars for the Cherry Farm.
a worn out old place that amt wuth
shucks :" they asserted.
When Uncle He2ckiah MulfOrd died,
leaving a thousand dollars apiece to each
of his unmarried nieccs, the two girls
were looked upon as heiresses by the nu-
merous kin-folks living in and around the
little village of Dripping Springs.
But when Hazel, in spite of all opposi-
tion, persisted in investing six hundred
dollars of her legacy in the farm, rs al
ready stated, and invited Aunt Comfort
to live with her, their discomfort knew no
bounds.
''Shc might have invested her money
safe with me" complained Uncle Zeke,
''an' I'd of give her five per cent intrust
on it. She could of live good on that;
but no, she must go an spend her money
fust thing fore Uncle Hezekiah was fully
cold In his grave.
"That old place won't grow notllin' but
pursley and cockle-burrs, - groaned Aunt
Lurainey, "sllc'll starve to death on it
sure"
"It'll be a Judgment on her if she
does, " declared Uncle Zeke, grimly shak-
ing his head as he lighted his cob-pipe
with Il coal from the Fireplace. And the
rest OF the kin-folks agreed with him, and
prophesied all manner Of i'll fortunes for
Hazel. Al that is, with the exception Of
Cousin John Milford and his wife Arvilla.
They upheld her in her unpopular pro-
ceedngs. Cousin John even went ard
mcnded the roof OF The lcaky but pictur-
esque little cottage, which stood on a
grassy hillside, sheltered by the sweeping
branches of half dozen or more black
heart cherry trees which had given the
place lis name.
''lt's a pretty place." averred Cousin
John, can Hazel will have home there
if she amt got nothin' else. Her an
Comfort1l live as happily as COWS in 4
clover field"
But the other relatives shook their
heads and drew long faces over Hazel's
future prospects.
'She might have bought lot in town,
if she must have property" they grum-
bled.
But Hazel only laughed at their fore
bodings.
81 never had 4 home of my own," She
said, 81 guess tho old place will support
me and Aunt Comfort as we'll as the rob-
ihs that live up in tic cherry trees"
And when the three tiny rooms Of the
little cottage were secured as clean as
soap and water could make them, the
walls newly whitened, and the rooms
filled with the pretty household furniture
Hazel had bought, and which Uncle John
brought with his OK team, the young mis-
tress of Cherry Farm felta serene content
in her possession that all the ill-natured
forebodings Of the Milford clan failed to
disturb.
''Ihar you air-snug as n bug in rug."
said Uncle John, mopping his red cotton
handkerchief, IS lie started the numbering
oxen on their homeward way. cam when
you get your plumber all put to rights, me
an Arvilly'll come and make you visit"
''Be sure you do" cried Hazel, bright
ly. "And when the cherries are ripe,
Aryilla can have all she wants to put up"
MelzeDa Mulford, Uncle Hezekiah's
other lcgatee, was no less loud in her de-
nunciatiOns Of IIazel's investment.
''IIow does size ever expect to get mar
ried, I'd like to know" she commented,
"away off in that lonely place, with no
body bat poky Aunt Comfort for COM
pany? But don't care, I'm sure, if she
wants % make an old maid OF herself I'm
a-goin' TO have tie good Of my money
while I'm young"
She accordingly indulged herself in the
purchase OF numerous aHd expensive
dresses and gew-gaws; banged and frizzed
her hair in the latest style, carried 4 scar
let parasol in her village walks, and after
enjoying the triumph of exhibiting her
self ard her new possessions to the inhab-
itaHts Of Dripping Springs she announced
her Intention Of going to the seasliore for
the summer.
'Goiug a husband hunting" declared
the gossips. There amt nobody good
enough for her in Dripping Springs"
But If MeZena heard them she paid no