The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-07
The children turned as many colors as


tional nervous, got behind his stepmoth-
er; Simeon edged little nearer to the
poker; Marion swallowed her last morsel
of cake with so much precipitation as to
nearly choke herself; Adelina began to
sob and snivel under her breath.
"Mrs. Blidge6eld," said the irate far.
mer, twill you be so good as to explain
yourself?"
"Oh, certainly said the late Miss
Nancy Bloom. GAS long as am mis-.
tress here I intend to consult my own
inclinations. shall undertake to give
you good food, and to keep yourself and
your children comfortably clothed, but l
shall choose my own method of doing
it."
"Madam," said Mr. Blidge6eld, loos-
ening the folds of his cravat, as if there
came an apoplecic pressure there, you
will obey me, or you will leave my
house!'
"Oh, no; I guess not I" said Nancy,
serenely. , sits my house now. You put
it in my name, the day after we we're mar
ried to escape taxation. But you were
mistaken then, I intend to pay the tax
es regularly on itmyself. 1t is no part
of my policy to evade my just debts
And I've money enough, saved from
school teaching, to run the farm very
nicely, with the help Of Leroy and
George" sa 80
AThey shau't stay herep shouted Mr..
Blidgefeld, the veins starting out on his
temples like ragged whip cord.
"Of course they are at liberty to take
their own choice about that" said Nan
cy, calmly.
"1ll stay with you, stepmother," said
George and Leroy, in one breath Of chiv-
alric eagerness. =
"so'll Ir' squeaked Simeon.
And the three girls clupg, with asser-
yations of the fondest affection, around
Nancy. @ 49,
Mr.. Blidgefeld eyed the ta6leau with
impotent rage. Mrs Blidge6eld smiled
superior.
aNow, Ben," said she, in the coazing
tone with. which one cajoles little child,
.sdon't besa fool You know. perfectly
we'll that you are in the minority. II
you choose to stay here and conduct
yourself as decent Christian man
should, I'll do my very best to make
your home pleasant. If not"
aWelliY shouted Mr.. Blidgefeld, still
tugging at his cravat folds.
"Well, madam, and what then?"
"Why, then," said Nancy, composedly,
you can go about your business"
Mr.. Blidgefeld remained to contest
the matter no longer. BE strobe out OF
the house, banging the door behind him,
by way of parting benediction.
ePll consult lawyer" said he, "I'll
get a divorce. I never, never was so
treated before in the whole course Of my
life p
He consulted a lawyer, but the verdict
was not favorably to his side of the mat.
ter. He remained outside of the fortress
for week, vainly hoping that Mrs.
Blidgeield and the garrison would capi-
tulate.
But they didn't. And then he lower
ed bis own colors. Nancy had been too
much for him.
But she never twitted him with his
lack Of success. She only smiled gra-
cious welcome. -
"And 1 must confess" he aftesward
added, "that 1 never was so comfortable
afore as Nancy makes me-"
TIE children-poor souls l-said the
same thing. Their stepmother had
brought q new sunshine in the dreary old
farm house. She had even civilized their
father, in some degree.
And the neighbors all wondered how
it vas that Nancy Bloom got along SO
nicely with that old crab Of husband of