The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-10-07
And the weeks grew into montbs, an,

And the weeks grew into months, and
the red leaves eddied down in little
swirls from the elm trees, and "pig-
killing time" came, and with the aid of
a lame, one-eyed man, Mr.. Chesney laid
down his own stock of pork and saus-
ages for the winter with Il sense of be-
ing triumphantly economical.
The family had lett off complaining
now. Apparently they were resigned to
their doom, But there were some
things that Mr.. Chesney could not ex-
plain at all.
A new rug frightened up the dismal
hues of the parlor carpet; Rosie had a
crimson merino dress, trimmed with
black velvet bars: Elma's autumn Jacket
was edged with substantial black fur;
and-grand climax of extravaganza
Mrs. Chesney had new shawl, in
place of the old 6rOche garment which
had been her mothers before her?
He looked over the housekeeping
books with renewed vigilance; he con-
suited the stubs of his check-book with
glance that nothing could escape.
"I-don't-know-n Ow-they-man-
age-it," said, he. scratching his nose
with the lead pencil that he always car
ried. II hate mysteries, and mean to
be at the bottom of this before am an
hour older"
He took his account-book under his
arm and marched into the kitchen,
where his wife was clearing away the
late supper.
Abigail" said he, show is thisP
I've given you no money. You've long
left off asking for money. How have
you managed to smarten yourself and
the children up so? Iwon't be cheated
by my own wife!''
Elma set down the pitcher which she
was wiping, and came and stood before
| her father with glittering eyes and
, cheeks stained with crimson, like flag
| of battle.
Papa" she said, '.you must not
speak to mamma so. Mamma would
not cheat you nor anybody else. It's
money that we have earned ourselves.
| Therei NoUr'
Mr.. Chesney stared at the girl with
incredulous eyes.
'.And if you don't believe it, come
and see how" said Elma, flinging down
her towel. MARY Penn showed us.
She told us everything, and gave us the
first swarm of bees. There are fourteen
| hives down under the south wall
Spencer sold the honey for us; and we
| planted all the nice flowers that grow
down in the meadow, that you said was
too stony and barren even for the sheer
to pasture upon; and Will dug and hoeC
around them after the work was al
done, and we sent boxes and bouquet.
of lilies and verbenas 10 the city every
day by Mr.. Penn's wagon. And WI
gathered wild strawberries before the
sun was up. and got cherries out of the
old lane, and the money is all ours
every farthing of it!''
Honey. eh?" said Mr.. Chesnev,
staring at the row of hives, for Elma hat
dragged him out into the November
moonlight to the scene of action
well, I've seen these many a time. bu
1 always s'posed they belonged t.
Squire Penn's folks. And flowers
and wild berries! Didn't think ther,
was so much money in 'em. Believ'
I'll try the business mpself next year
Queer that the women-folk should hav,
got the start of mer'
| And after that he regarded his famil,
with more respect. The mere fact tina
they could earn money had elevate'
|
when spring came he lost his ablest co
adjutor.
Miss Eima incidentally announced t
him one day that she was going to b
married to Walter Penn the next week
And mamma is coming to live witt
US, added Elma. '.She can't stand tn,
damp house and this hard work an
longer"
But Mrs. Chesney did not 60 to tn
Penn Farm. Mr.. Chesney hired stou
serving-maid, and laid drain-pipe
under the kitchen floor.
If his wife really understood her busi
ness so well, it was worth while to kee
her well and active, he considered.
Il couldn't we'll leave papa, yol
know" said Mrs. Chesney to Elms
He means well, and now that Rebecc
Beckel is coming here. and the kitchel
Is dry, We shall get along nicely.
wouldn't 60 back to the city for any
thing new"
Nor /, either" said Elma. 'An
oh. mamma, shall always love thos
bee-hives under the hollyhocks. for
was there that Walter asked me to b
his wife!"
And Mrs. Chesney tearfIlly kissed he
daughter. She, too, had been happ
once, and had her dreams.
1t was to be hoped that Walter PEN
was made Of different metal from Georg
Chesney.
To Elma, however, all the world wa
cotielr de rose. Had she not the eteI
nal talismans of Youth and Love?