The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-01-26


"Mr. Dalrymple's rule is past and
own interests. Had he been more alive
to them. his death would not have left
his family In the helpless condition that
it did"
"You mean Mr.. Charles death and
your succession, SIR" boldly returned
the farmer, though its tone lost none OF
its respect '.When Squire Dalrymple
died and Mr.. Charles succeeded, the
family still lived on in comfort at the
| Grange here. as they had done before.
And as they would have done after.
had he lived, generous young fellow"
"A squandcring young profiigater'
scornfully retorted Oscar Dalrymple.
well, he's gone, poor soul, and it
will answer no end to speak for or
| against him. but he was q favorite on
every road throughout the estate. And
his death brought yon to rule over us,
and am sorry to have to say, sir, that
your rules very hard one"
1T will not be made easier" CURLY
rejoined Mr.. Dalrymple. Il told Bum
ford and Watkins SO yesterday. The
terms proposed to you by Jones you
must accept, or leave the farm"
The farmer took out his pocket-book;
be got in or got out without damage to
the pockets entrance.
'.Then have got bit of document
here, sir, which needn't have shown,
If you would have listened to reason
without it. Somewhat better than six
years ago. SIR" he proceeded to ex-
plain, "when / was hesitating about
laying out SO much money upon the
farm. knowing that my lease had en-
tered on its last seven years, / put the
question. right off-hand, to the squire:
II / continued to lay out money on my
land, and to build stables and else, as
wished to do. should have the lease
renewed on the same terms? And
that's what he wrote me in reply. His
end followed soon upon it. !"
Oscar Dalrymple took the note. gel
low with lying BY. from the farmer
and cast his eyes over it:
| "DEAR LEE-Put what money you like upon
the farm. for hereby pass you my word that
q the expiration Of the present lease fresh
one shall b granted son on the same terms
III DALRYxPLx.
HE thought Of me and Of this prom
Use on his deathbed, the squire did,"
resumed the farmer, ''and charged his
son to fulfill it. Mr.. Charles told me
SO himself, and that it should be all
right"
''Charles and his father are gone,
repeated Oscar Dalrymple. tossing
back the letter with gesture of con.
tempt at Farmer Lees simplicity.
THAT paper is not worth farthing."
mot in law; am aware of that, sir; |
but thought you need only look at it |
to act upon it. The squire was almost |
like father to you, Mr.. Dalrymple,
and l never supposed but you would
wish to carry out his wishes. have
felt as secure, having tina. document
by me, as if it was fresh lease"
Mr.. Dalrymple rose. Il will not de-
tain you longer, Mr.. Lee; your time
is valuable"
"And what's my answer. sir?"
That you pay the additional rent
or give up the farm"
Farmer Lee was . quiet man, little |
given to bursts Of anger, but he could |
not control some harsh epithets, direct
ed to Oscar Dalrymple, as he walked |
toward his own land. In turning
sharply out of field, he came upon
two ladies, ono young and very NICE
looking. the other getting in years, Of
thin, white feature and gray hair.
Law. ma'am," cried he, touching
his hat to the elder. ..rm glad to see
you out again."
"Ay," she said, II have had long
bout Of it, the longest illness ever had
in my life. l am getting better, but
slowly; and this fine spring day tempt
ed me forth"
''And what is it that has been the
matterp asked the farmer. I've
never could learn the rights OF it. Old
Reuben told my daughter Judith that
it was as much weakness as any thing"
"Reuben was right" said Mrs. Dali
rymple. weakness and grief, that
has been chiefly the matter with me.
Try as will. Mr.. Lee. I can not over
get my poor sons dreadful death.
have been ailing ever since. though it
never told seriously upon my health
till this last winter. And l have Q
great deal Of trouble in many WAYS"
Trouble, ma am, there's nothing
but trouble for all of u.s." spoke the
farmer.
"You don t remember me, Mr.. Lee"
cried the young lady.
"Well. yes l do, miss: I remember
your face. think had used to see
you with poor Master Charles and the
young ladies'"
IL am Isabel Lynn; you remember
now" she said, holding out her hand.
Ay, do" answered he, heartily
shaking it. 'And if what we used to
think was true. we should have had
you amongst us for good, had Master
Charles lived"
She turned away her face blushing
deeply, almost to tears, with her un-
happy membranes.
And lucky thing il it had been
you and Master Charles to reign at the
Grange, instead of what is now. I
don't mean any disrespect to Miss Sc
lima, ma'am," he added to Mrs. Dali
rymplc. lyon are not afraid do; but
her husband is hard master"
"You need not tell me he u.s." re-
turned Mrs. Dalrymple, her eye kind
ling. Il know it too WELL"
"A good many of our leases are out
this year, and he is raising us all-rais-
ing us shamefully. Mine a pound an
acre."
"A pound an acre!' echoed Mrs.
Dalrymple.
mot shilling less, ma'am. Jones
sent me the notice yesterday, SO / just
put on my Sunday (, at this morning.
and have been up to The Grange, and
all the answer have got is that may
pay it or leave the farm. l showed
him that letter of your husbands,
ma am, promising to renew the lease
to me on the same terms to justify my
laying out money on the land and
homesteads. 1t was just as II had
shown him bit Of waste paper"
"Unjustr' murmured MrA Dali
rymple.
''1t's worse than unjust. mas am. it's
robbery. ! laid out my hard savings
under that specific promise, and /
might just as well have chucked the
money naked into the earth. There is
nothin a hnf nnnraseinn Oo;nr an from