The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-07
and It gave me . pain in tho side to lift
the tub"
.'You do look rather SLIM" observed

kAuN WuCAo 0Eo Vu UOuuu 1Ots
II don't knost, said Meta. 'Ican't
60 back to the wore because my place
is filled up; and it's very hard to get
work anywhere ut this time of year.
The doctor said ought to stay a year
at least in the country; but Mrs. Briggs
has got another girl and"
Here John Perkins suddenly arrested
the course of the roan.cob, and began
turning him scientifically around.
''Dear dear!' said Meta, shave We
got into the wrong roadp"
NO" said John Perkins. "Not as
know of. But II the doctor said you
ought to stay year. then year you
stay"
"But wheroe" said Meta.
with u.s." said John Perkins, "I've
took notion to you, Meta. The first
timc | ever set ewes on you, 1 said to
myself. Here's tho gal Tor me!' And
il you'll marry mo, Meta, Ill do NV
best 10 take care of you and be good
husband to you"
".narry your repeated Meta, and
she looked timidly into John Perkins
''fcs. Mir. Perkins. will!'
"Shall wc 60 right to the parsons P"
said John.
I'll suppose so" said Meta.
Its the best way" said John, "If
begin Job, l generally like to go
on with it."
So they wcro married. Meta went
back to Mr.. Briggs house. until her
young husband could break the news
to his unclo. Mrs. Eriggs received the
bride with some faint semblanco of
welcome.
John Perkins is likely fellow"
said she, land the deacon is tho richest
man in Yellow Pines. l will allow,
Meta. that you haven't done badly for
yourself. If you'd told me what YOU
was calculatin' for
"But l was not calculating" said
Meta. Indignantly. II never thought
to be his wife,
THAT II do to toll, said Mrs. Briggs
with dry chuchlc.
Meanwhile, John went bravcly to
his uncle.
"Cncle." said he, Il guess you'll
have to spare mo o bigger room artcr
this"
Deacon Perkins, n dried-up with.
ered old man, with strong likeness to
tho chimpanlco tribe, looked up from
his account book with 81 snarl, which
revealed y set Of ragged, yellow teeth
IA bigger room?" said he. ..What
for?'
"rhcrc's ut lcasta dozen rooms in
the house You don't use," said John
''and they'd be all tho better for being
occupied: and besides rs if this was a
mere incidental fact--..l'vo been get
ting marriedm
The deacon dropped his spectacle
case. and rs John picked it up and
handed it back to him, he added:
''Io Meta Milton
The dcacon's little eyes elttcred like
very small gas-lamps, seen through
November fog"
you've married her, have youy"
said ho.
''Yes. SIR" said John.
'Wcll, thcn," said tho deacon, '.you
can take her somewhere else and sup.
port her, for Ill never SEQ nor speak
to either of you again as long as
livc."
DO you really mean it, unclol" said
John.
IAN | in the habit Of jokings" said
MIR. Perkins, with an ugly grin. that
made him more ch:mpanzce like than
ever If you're so very independent,
you can 60 and hang out your flag of
freedom ut your leisure!''
This was rather hard on John, who
had always been taught 10 regard him
self Us his uncle's adopted child.
Bat he was too proud to sue for
rich mans favor.
''Just as You please, SIR" said he.
'But won't you let me bring Meta to
sec you?'
''No, l WON'T" said tho deacon.
"Gh John, l have ruined you.' said
Meta, when he came back to tell the
tale.
"Ruined me, puss?" said he cheer
fully-.'not BIT of it! You've been
the making of me. 1t amt good for
nobody to hang on the coat skirts of a
rich man. I'm more independent now
than ! have been for ten years. If
Mrs. Briggs will let us stay hero for a
few days"
~ couldn't rossiblyr' said Mrs.
Briggs, freezing visibly. If your
good. pious uncle discountenances
you, it amt for De to set myself up
ag'in his judgment.
Ivory wcll," said John; "Farmcr
Drake wants hand to held clear up
the maple hills this winter-Tlle engage
with him. My Meta shall have a good
home somcwhoro!''
Whom Mrs. Briggs heard that John
Perkins had rented the little one. stored
cabin by tho railroad, and furnished it
for his bride, she shook her head fore-
bodingl,.
''f Meta can put up with hole like
that, she hain't no proper PRIDE" said
she.
But Meta was AZ happy as a lark.
1t was q humble home, but it was
hor own. And John came home to it
every night, with face as cheerful a.
the dawn.
II wish it was a palace. puss. for
your sake" said no.
IL couldn't be happier, John, if it
was" Meta brightly answered.
"And you don't mind your Cousin
Briggs passing You IN the street, with
ous opSbeAuS w yOuT
mot in the least, if you don't mind
Deacon Perkins returning your letters
unopened"
HE is an ill-tcmpered old crab,"
said John, with hearty laugh.
''And shc," merrily rctortcd Meta,
''is q venomous old gossip"
While the public opinion of Yellow
Plains unanimously condemed Mr..
and Mrs. Perkins to tho poor-houso in
the course of brief time.
'.Hc hasn't cent of capital. said
one neighbor.
"And she amt no management and
never had," said another.
''Buys bakers bread and makes her
pic crusts with butter instead O. drip
pins" said Mrs. Briggs. "Did any
one ever hear of such shiftlessness? I
for one. wash my hands of them.''
Until, one day. Deacon Perkins died
sitting in his chair. with his spcctacles
on his nose.
.'Wo'n 60 to tho funeral, Meta" said