Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-10-02

that 'ud fetch him. 'Ras amt the fell
low to get over that kind of n thing In
a hurry, and know he loved her des-
prit, an IL seems no more'n fair that
she should take the first step towards
maxim up, under the circumstances. "
His manner of saying this showed
that ho intended u TO be an argument
too strong for his wife to rcbut. show
ing reason why Lucy could, and should,
let Erastus know that she had changed
her mind and was ready to marry him
II he still desired it.
When ho paused he felt that he had
not made the case rs strong rs IL should
be, but not knowing exactly how to
make IL stronger he waited for reply
from his wife, still keeping his back
towards her and his hoe going vigor-
ously.
But Mrs. Parsons knew that her hus-
band had not fin shed what he wished
to say, and she remained SLEPT Pretty
soon he began again:
"You sec, Marty, it holds to reason
that Lucy should be the one to speak
first 'Rastus loved her, an she knew
1t; leastwsc he thought she did; an
knowing it she went an engaged her.
self to that or fellow from New York
an so gave 'Ras to think she wouldn't
have him no way it could bo fixed. So
he went off to git away from the sight
of en-. An now, though KNOWN that
Annclscy's got his walkin' papers, he
don't know as Lucy'd have him no
moro'n she would aforc; an 'Ras amt
the kind as goes spoonin' round beg
GIN for what folks don't want to give
him. IL amt right, an it amt fair,
when know the girl 'ud give every
thing she's got in the world to have
MIN back, that they should be kept
apart Jest because it's customary for the
man TO speak first. He has spoke first
once an now it's her turn"
All the time John was speaking
Martha Parsons was thinking. She be-
lieved that Lucy loved Erastus and was
secretly in hopes that he would yet
she saw the delicacy of the situation
more clearly than did her husband, who
had never been able to discover ny
necessity for the concealmnn3 of nc
true feelings of either party to love
affair.
When her husband had ceased speak
ing she was silent for moment and
then said simply:
"Arc you sure Erastus knows that
Lucy has broken with Mr.. Annelseyp"
John Parsons suddenly stopped hoe
ing and turned quickly around facing
his wife.
"Didn't you write him that, when
the girls first come home?" he asked
in surprise.
"No, did not; / was not certain
that she cared for him and feared to
awaken anew hopes that, after all,
might be useless. 1t was not certain
that Lucy's engagement with Annelsey
might not be renewed, or that because
she dismissed him she loved Erastus,
and / thought it best to let him learn
of it by accident supposed he would
find it out through Jennie or some one
else, but do not think he has"
Her husband made no reply but re-
sumed his hoeing and the subject was
not referred to again. Indeed very lit
tie further conversation occurred be-
tween them during the entire afternoon,
both appearing busy with their own
thoughts.
AT the supper table that evening Mr..
Parsons proposed that the two women
should go to Town the next day with
some butter and eggs and such other
articles as they could spare, and make
an exchange for family supplies.
johnny and nell keep house while
you're gone" he said; we're capital
at keepin' house, amt we, johnny
And mother'll bring you some candy or
somethin'."
There was nothing very unusual in
this proposition. Mrs. Parsons and
Lucy had made similar trips on several
occasions, leaving Johnny and his
father at home.
John Parsons hated to 'peddle," as
he called it, and his wife always got
better prices for the butter and eggs
and chickens than did he; besides which
she knew better how to invest the pro-
ceeds economically in necessities for
the family, and there was need of
economy now. And as neither of the
women liked either to go to town alone,
or 10 stay clone with Johnny while the
other went with the husband or father,
it had become the rule for both to go
and leave Johnny to the care of his
father, and so they decided to do now.
Accordingly such veg tables as they
were 10 take were gathered and placed
in the spring wagon. A hunt was made
for eggs which were carefully packed,
small end down, in oats, to prevent
their breaking. and the bit of butter
which they had saved was taken from
the well where it hung by rope, and
rewrapped in white cloths.
When it became dark they went with
a lantern and caught two dozen chick
ems and put them in crate, previously
made and kept in which to take fowls
to market; and bright and early thu
next morning the horses were hitchet
up and they started.
When they were gone John Parson
washed the dishes, which the womei
had not stopped to do, tidbed up til,
house the best he knew how, talking tt
Johnny all the time, and then wen
into the garden to work, taking tn,
boy with him, rs was his almost invari
able custom when the weather wa
fine, and placing him, in his wheeled
cot, where they could talk together a
the father worked.
The fresh air and sunshine did tn
child good and he amused himself il
many ways. The chickens and turkey
learned to regard him as n friend an,
would come around him, often jumpin,
upon his cot for some bit of food whicl
he had brought. some of them beconl
ing SO tame as TO permit him to handl
them.
When noon came the man and bo
returned to the house, where the fathe
prepared and they ate dinner. Then
when the dishes had been washed an
Johnny had dropped off to sleep, as h
always did after dinner in the lon
days, John. Sr, went to the bureau an
rummaged around until he found som
writing paper and finally pen and
bottle of ink.
These he brought to the table, DIRE,
up chair and sat down.
I'll jest give 'Rastus hint" he wa
| 20 ~ I.b III