The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1885-06-25
Mother Nawkins's Daughter.in.laW
by MATTE DYER BRITTS

with her apron.
oval, mebbe twill" sighed the good
ady. "But it don't seem so now Sit
-D, Mis- Jones; the cream biscuitll
pile with waitin'. Poor Will he was
so fond O them biscuits! I'll bet she
can't make 'em! "Taint his marryin' I
mind so much," she went on, as she
poured the fragrant tea into the thin,
old, china cups. IF he'd a-married a
decent country gal, an let her come
here to live long O. me, wouldn't
a-cared. But no! he must go taggin'
after one O them fnifed city gals!
Nothin' else nd do him! Mis- Jones,
do have another lump O sugar in your
tea?"
mo, Mis-. Hawkins, the tea is jest
right now"
."Wal, take slice more O. this briled
ham, then! It's our own home-cured
pork"
"Thankye, don't care eff do take a
Dito L1OIo. L uOl4 c1O AAuCA Ill S0A0AaA
but your vittles is so good, they kind o
give ono al appetite"
oval, yes" said Mother Hawkins,
with another sigh. "Will always lowed
I was fair cook. And he was that
fond O. good eatin'! And I low he'll
git none O it now"
"Mebbe he will, Mis- Hawkins. I've
knowed some O. them city folks what
was fust race cooks, an liked the
- country, too"
"Oh, yes! they all like to come out
fur q week or so while the berries IS
ripe. But YOU fetch 'em out an set 'em
to cookin' fur harvest hands when it's
right hot, an you'd see!"
"Wills wife may not be one O. that
kind, Nancy"
"Be ct she is! He found her boardin'
in one of them big hotels, where they
go to bed at midnight, and eat break
fast next day after decent folks has
cleared up dinner. I know 'em. An,
amt going to have anything to do
with 'em, that's flat! And told Will
so, when he writ for me to come and
see 'em married"
"Lu, Mis- Hawkins didn't you go?"
"No, didn't. Here, have another
spoonful O this honey, Mis- Jones-do!
It's made O white clover, and as clear
as can be. There! No, l didn't 60,
and writ to Will he needn't fetch her
here. neither"
"Now, Mis- Hawkins! you didn,t
really?"
ayes, did," said the old lady dog
gedly. II know the hull lot O. them
city switchin' an a-dragglin'
their long tailed gowns, an, a-bangin'
their hair when they ought to have
their heads banged, an a-humpin'
themselves up with bustles, to look like a
camel, an the Lord knows what all
fur don't. But set my face agin 'em
Will is a-makin' money there, and there
tell stay till she spends it all. Then
u want to come back to his old
my. But he can't do it. He left
Their an took up with her, an now
jest stick to her, an make the
o'his bad bargain! faint any use
ak to me!'
Jones knew the stubborn old
Il enough to believe that. Sc
no moro. But after she got
:, said to her own family:
had as likely son as Will
aims, I wouldn't go back on him fur
% gal that ever drawed breath; and
I'll bet pretty penny Nancy Hawkins
ives to WISH she hadn't!'
Meantime, in his cosy home IN the
city, Will had been gloomily reading his
old mothers last curt letter.
Don't let it worry you, WILL" said
his bride, soothingly.
II can't help it, lily" was his reply
"She has always been such good moth
er to me that it hurts me to have he1
be 50 wrong and obstinate"
"Go out and see her, and talk it over,
suggested Lily.
"Never" answered Will, firmly,
s'Unless business takes me, shall never
enter my old home, unless you 60, TOO.
If nv mother cannot receive my wife,
I she cannot receive me. It is no use
talbing to me about it. p"
There was touch Of the old lady
stubborn spirit in the son, you see!
Mother Hawkins was stout, heshy
old lady: but she did all her own work,
except for a few waeks in summer.
when haying and harvesting came on.
This season, right in the midst OF
/, having, Mary Jane. the hired girl, fell
out of the haymow. where she was
hunting for eggs, and broke her arm.
Of course, she had to go home. Not
! another girl could be got for love or
money, and so Mother Hawkins had to
do Ill herself.
The two hired men could get the
wood, aud do the milking and churn1ng.
But Mrs. Hawkins had to sweat over
the stove, and the weather growing
hotter every dny.
And one morning Mother Hawkins
couldn't get up. The hired men got
the best breakfast they could, and then
MRS. Hawkins sent one of them after
The doctor, bidding him stop on the
way home and see if Lucy Jones
<wouldn't come and stay until she could
find girl.
= Now it so happened that important
:. business brought Will Hawkins out te
Downport that very morning, He die
not intend to visit his mother; but ht
cav John coming ont of the doctors
office, and he stopped him and learnes
how sick his mother was.
Then he felt in duty bound to call or
her. He went, and the old lady was
greatly surprised, and, as he could see
y somewhat pleased to see him.
But not once did she ask for or ever
allude to his wife.
"Mother, you ought to have girl,
said Will. -
"Well, goodness, so ought" groanet
. the old lady. II told John to get Luc.
Jones few days. if he could, But sh,
) amt no manner O count, if she. comes
i And where to get anybody the nero.
knows-l don't I've tried everywhere.
j., :, II think perhaps I could send 20,
Out one," said Will. GOOD girls Cal
F! ~, co,,~1 town -