Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-06-15
The Widows Pumpkins.

'ANNS waving thoi icu JcWclcu hIHls
to the sunshine. and Eliakim Ellis was
driving serenely down Hay Hill.
"a ain a poet" thought he. but if
! was could write lot of rhymes
about this Why. it's poetry all the
way through. And-ehP how?--whatP
Who's ihat?'
1t was the Widow Hepsy Hall. stand
ing at the door of her little one-storied
house and reckoning with her long.
lean arms toward him. The farmer
drew his re n.
Hold on, Sorrelr' he apostrophized
his steed. You amt never in hurry
when | want You to be, so calkerlate
YOU can stand still bit now. Wal,
Mis- Hall. what can dew for We this
morning."
i've got some pumpkins that
want to sell. said the Widow Hepsy.
"Drcful Likely ones. "
"Pumpkins?" echoed Eliakim.
"Why. bless your soul. Mis- Hall.
pumpkins is a dreg in the market just
now. The pumpkin crop has turned
out powerful good. thank Providence.
and our folks is feedn' 'em to the
caows
A shadow of dire disappointment
crept over the Old woman face. as she
stood there, uncOnsciously picturesque,
against The curly hop-tendrils and
crimson woodbine leaves that garland
Ell the doorway. The tears came into
her dim ewes.
Then | may as well give it up."
said she. in accents of despair. "For
| hain't nothing else to sell; and Be-
Indy hal set such store on NV comm
down this autumn afore cold weather
sci in.
"Eh - sad Mr.. Ellis, good-natured-
~. You was goin' down to Belin-
dy's, ELI ?'
Il can't 90 without no money" said
the Widow Hepsy Hall. And | was
sort OF calculatn' on them pumpkins.
The corn hasn' I amounted TO nothin'
and the wcases has tax all the poul-
try. and the dried berries widowed
that last dog days weather. and the
carpet weavn' business is awful dull 1;
SO what be 10 do ?'
Can We put OF Your visit ?" sa d
Eliakim, thoughtfully Ticking the top
of cluster of saucy oX-eyed daisies
that grew close to his wagon wheels.
Belndy'S little boys got the
Group said Mrs. Hall, lugubriously.
And her husband has fell off II scafrold
and broke his leg. And if ever I'm
wanted there. It's now. ="
81 GUAM ~ o;oouIotoJ ho,.et Il;o
kim, as lie realized what the double
meaning Of poverty and misfortune
was. Fetch me them pumpkins ; I'll
buy ,em, anyhow"
III let Won have the lot for dol
lar. " said the Widow Hepsy. wistfully.
They jest out in the corner lot.
"Ain't gathered. ell Pr
Bless me ! who've | got to gather
'em p reproachfully retorted Mrs.
liall-''and not soul about the place,
and rue with that crick in nv back.
Eliakim Ellis heart smote him
Who was he. to complain of a little
extra trouble. when tho Widow Hepsy
was so much worse OFT than himself2
So he alighted and led Sorrel la
bOriouslv down the stony cart track
toward the corn field, where. amid the
harvested shocks. cleaned the rudy
gold Of pumpkins innumerable.
Pumpkins ~ screamed Mrs. Ellis
when her hus band drove into the door.
yard at noon. Pumpkins Why
Eliakim Ellis, what on earth are YOU
bringing pumpkins here for ? Amt
we got the barn chambers full, and the
lots full. and the very cattle won't eat
'em? BE you clean gone crazy ?"
Mrs. Ellis was high. checked boncd
female. with projecting front teeth and
hard greeniSh eyes, Ike badly colored
marbles. She was one OF those who
worshipped gain as the fireworshippers
fell down before the sun. Money is
none ~ was her favorite axiom. And
Eliakim felt his heart sink within him
rs he faced her stern, uncompromising
gaze.
They re jest few" he began.
"A few!' shrillv echoed his wife.
THE Vaughn is heaped full! And we
a-throwing of 'em away every day!
That's Jest man $ calculatin'p'
jest few" said Eliakim. hitching
desperately on the first section of his
speech. "that I've brung down here to
sell for Mrs. Hall There amt much
market up that.a-way. you know
Loisy."
And" he added to himself.
goodness knows how glad I'd be ia
sell 'em il l had the chance! 1 ain'l
| lynn. nohow!'
'Mrs. Ellis gave a prodigious sniff
Don't You fetch that there truck
inside of the dooryard, 'Liakimv' said
she. jest dump 'em on the roadside
and let the neighbors' hogs eat 'em up
rs quick as they CAM
But Mr.. Ellis took advantage of q
tin-psddler coming along on the other
side of the street and engaging his
helpmate attention. TO smuggle in
the load OF pumpkins.
II won't waste 'em anyway" said
he. If anybody's hogs is TO eat 'em.
il may as well be mine.
That afternoon. when he came into
cupper. thing happened VIII Oh had
never before befallen him in his mar
ried life.