The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-04-07

universal exclamation how car
we?n
"Oh, don't like her." said Ned
gruffiy "she is so horribly proud.
"Oh. mother" | said, "do you re
ally think we ought? Isn't there
some other way?'
Never mind" said mother pleas
antly; I'VE will say no more about
! it. Perhaps it wouldn't be best.
shall not ask her unless you are all
willing"
But the next day there were signs
of capitulation among US. Strange
to say, our big boy, Ned, was the
first one to surrender.
See here, mother" he said,
don't want to be mean. Let hel
come. can stand it if the rest can.
Will said quietly, Poor old thing
don't care, if Ned doesn't"
When keturah heard of it she ex-
claimed, The Lord love US ! Comm
here? Not if | know it, Now, Mis-
Allen, do be reasonablel I've lived
with ye more'n fifteen year-nussed
most all the children-helped fetch
! 'em through the whoopin' cough,
measles and etcetery, but as for
hayin' that mean old creetor,-"
Keturah p said mother, warning
ly-then the kitchen door was shut,
aud only the occasional sound OF
mothers pleading voice and ketu-
rsh's angry shifts came to US from
the scene of battle.
When mother came out of the
kitchen some half an hour later, we
knew By the quiet smile on her face,
and the subdued rattle Of dishes
from Keturah's domain, that the lat
ter was vanquished.s
So the very next day Miss Bashby
came. We gave her the south bed
room, and had an open fire, and a
cosy arm chair beside it. ready to
welcome her. But if an idea that
she would show any gratitude had
crept into our minds, we were DOOM
ed to disappointment. Hoping that
she would say that she was pleased
with her room, | walked softly by
the door and glanced in. She was
standing by the dainty bed, closely
examining the sheets and pillow
cases.
HIM, him. | heard her mutter
cotton, all of 'em. Gentlefolks used
linen in my day." and then she sigh
ed heavily.
The autumn days went swiftly
by, and the cold, snowy days of win
ter came. Miss Bashby had been
with US two months, and we got on
very well. Keturah was most pa
tient of US all, and won golden opin-
ions from mother.
The boys were courteous and re-
spectful, but said very little to Miss
Bashby. l think they we're half
afraid of her. Little Joey we tried
to keep out of Der way altogether,
as the only time she ever visited her
room she SAID she din't like little
boys But the gaze of her large.
round spectacles, and the sharp click
of her knitting needles, had a curl
ous fascination for the little man.
often when he was unusually quiet,
on hunting him up he was found
Just outside Miss Bashby's open
door. Once, on coming to take him
away, heard him ask solemnly,
with his brown eyes fixed on her
wrinkled face
What makes you look so, Miss
You is all wizzled up. Is
your skin too big for you?'
One day in January, a cold, clear,
frosty morning, there came letter
saying Aunt Mary was very i'll.
After a hurried consultation, IL
was decided that mother should
start at once for Brunswick, where
Aunt Mary lived, and that father
-IoGAl d1AOAA idbs htA
After many hasty directions to
Keturah and me, they started to
Catch the early train. Mothers las,
words were, BE kind to Miss Bash
by"
For few days things went very
we'll. The boys were less unruly
Lhan usual Miss Bashby was quite
imiable for her, and Keturah was as
rs sunny as May morning. But
llas ! the peace was of short dura-
ion.
One morning, in going down the |
,ellar stairs. Keturah slipped and |
'prained her ankle. 1t was very
and poor Keturah, with |
many gasps and groans, could do
nothing but lie helpless on the kitch-
N lounge and give directions about
he work.
Keturah," | would question, as,
With sleeves solled up and a long
lpron on, | went resolutely to work,
how much molasses do you pct in
he gingerbread ?"
"Oh, Miss Sadie" Keturah would |
.roan, ''only to think of me lyin'
iere like log, and you, such little
pindlin' ereeter, doin' my work.
>h, dearl'
But Keturah, do tell me how
much Holasses, or | shall never get
his gingerbread done"
"Oh land. Bring me the Jug, and
III measure it for you. Goodness,
hid, not that two quart bowl. What
re you thinking Of? 1t only takes
! cupful. Oh, Lord To think of
Aeturah Skinner ever comm to this
,ass and so on during the entire
lay.
Miss Bashby was particularly dis
greeable just at this crisis. No won-
Ter she complained of the cooking
Poor Keturah, lying helpless on the
OUNCE, couldn't see to everything,
md so the bread was heavy, the pie
rust like dough, and the coffee
'ery unsettled beverage.
The boys. good fellows. laughed
md joked about it; said they never
njoyed anything so much in their
ives. But Miss Bashby-she said
but the gesture of disgust
With which she pushed her plate
way at table, and gathering her !
hawl about her, marched majestic
lily to her room and shut the door,
Fas worse than all we had to bear.