The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-12-28
young Arnold, and ! felt sorry about II, bu

jist have TO turn cf somebody else II tool
Arnold back, !" he said to Mrs. Wall. sThere'a
John Long with wife and six children;
there wouldn't be much Justice In turnin'
him OF, to take such i young fellar, tina,
II don't think It would hurt you hny tt
keep both Of 'em," said Fanny, 'rich as you
arc. should think you'd bo ashamed ot
yourself"
Eleazer arose; his face looked a. II carved
out of iron, but the smile remained; and his
voice was urbane. "Well, guess I'll be
goin'," said no. 1--WE don't seem to be git
tim any nearer bargain. Good mornin,
ladies. May be Fanny will think better Of
1t when she comes to think it over, Mis-
WALL"
As soon as tho door had closed upon Ell
eazcr, Mrs. Wall urned to Fanny. Fanny,
what possessed you to talk so to himsn said
she.
81 don't care" replied Fanny, II meant
to; it served him right" She went back tt
her seat and began on her sewing
''He's an old man, an you were dreadful
sassy" said her mother.
II don't care" said Fanny again.
The grandmother was trying on her pur
pie calico apron. ~ tell you he's a-scentin
out money!" said she. "Hc can't fool me-
b'lieve he's found out that goose lays goli
eggs, the old coot. Don't blame Fanny 6
mite. Gals hadn't ought to be sassy to ole
folks, but it makes difference who the ole
folks air. 'Leazcr West is q miser'ble ole
coot, an he'd ought to bc told ont"
''You've jist made matters worse" Mrs
vNn11c cuS1 t<,T H. 11.-SA
surprised if he never took Jimmy back a,
alln
II can't help it if he don't. I've said my
say once"
~ wish you'd kept STILL"
II don't"
"Well, don't see, for my part, what he il
so crazy to git that goose for. It's nice
goose enough, but it amt no better than ht
can get somewhere else, an never heard o.
| such thing as his havin' fowl for dinner
anyhow. / dunno what Mrs. Pendar'd do
dunno but she'd eat enough to kill her"
II tell you, Lyddy, he scents money!" sale
the old woman; "You'll see. He'll hey tina
goose yit. He'll take Jimmy back, if h,
can't git it no other way"
81 guess he won't" returned Mrs. Wall
But that afternoon it transpired that sh,
was mistaken, and the old woman was tri
umpllant Fanny had to 20 to the store fo
some dress braid, and when she returned sh,
had an exultant and bewildcrcd air. s'What
| do YOU think now!" said she. ..I've sole
him tho goose, and-he's taken Jimmy
back"
"Fanny Wall, you don't mean it!"
"Yes, do.'
IIyVLo% Il I 500,
mother.
"He called me into tho shop when wa,
going by" said Fanny, land lie tried tt
talk me out of it. He offered me s. for tho
goose, but wouldn't bulge an inch, and fin
ally he gave inn
"How do YOU know he won't turn him of
in a weck." asked her mother with q shrewi
air.
Fanny held up apaper. 81 guess knew
enough to look out for that" said she, "Ivt
got it in writing; he's going to keep him a.
long as he wants to stay, and his name.
signed, and a witncss-look at that!"
| "Well, ncver!"
II asked him for it, and he didn't want t.
give it, but he had tor
The grandmother made IN exclamation
"Husll, he's comm artcr tho gooso now.'
shc whispered.
"Hc must have followed me straigh
home," said Fanny, she's perfectly crazy t.
get it. 1 cant't see through it." She ant
her mother stood behind tho old woman ant
peered out. Suddenly there came success
sion of shrill cries, and Eleazer was see,
bearing tho goose through tho yard, it.
wings tapping in his face.
ttIt'S tho u,1cprest fhinr ovor hoor} ~ !,
said Mrs. Wall.
Twas not very long before Mrs Pcndal
came through the yard. She came with s
sidcwisc waver to her body. She held hcl
little shawl well over her face, which sh,
kept turned warily toward the West house
II was dreadful afraid he'd see me, an
stop me,' she painted, when she entered 81
did't know but what he'd suspect wa.
comm over to talk it over; but 1 had L
come. I'D like to know what 1t means
There he's got your goose, an he's killed it
an he's pckin' it, and cleanin it, as if ht
was possessed. We amt had a fowl before
since I've been in the house. / believe he's
crazy"
Mrs. Pcndar dropped into chair and list
cncd while Fanny and mother explained tho
sale of the goose. 81 believe he's crazy,''
she said again. II declare I'm afraid to &c
back"
Suddenly old Mrs. Wall faced about OF,
them; her old eyes seemed to wax like blue
| moons; she shifted "You don't mean ia
say there can't none Of you see through
that!' said she. II kin. He's lost some
money out in our yard, an'-hc thinks that
goose has-a it,"
Ihe other women looked at each other.
'You don't s'pose that is it," cried Mrs.
Wall. Mrs. Pendar started up. "I'ln go,
in right home this minute" said she, .an'
Pm a-goin to see if that's it. I'm a-goin' to
| stay right round there while he's cleanin'
it," Mrs. Pcndar drew her shawl over her
head and scuttled out "Come back an let
us know" the others called after her.
1t twas dark, after SUPPER when she came
back. She poled her heud in at the door,
but would not enter. II can't como in,''
said she; she's gone down street, an ex-
pect him back every minute; he said he
want goin' to stay. AM he's been flingin'
at inc cause came over this afternoon.
But tell you one thing, he amt found moth.
in. He wouldn't let me stay round whilst
he was clcanin' it, an couldn't see nothin'.
But know he didn't find q thing, for he's
dreadful down in the mouth. He didn't cat
mite of supper l never see him act SO.
declare thought he was goin' to bust out
cryin', once or twice"
Old Mrs. Wall had pressed to tho door
with the others. She stood there shaking
violently in the cold draught, and listening
eagerly. She would hardly lot Mrs. Pendar
close the door and go.
That evening Fanny's lover came again.
He had just been notified to begin work the
next day, and he was jubilant. Fanny did
not kindle the fire in the parlor; they all sat
together in tho kitchen and talked over
Elcazcr West, and tho goose, and their
changed prospects. When Jimmy took leave
Fanny stood u long time with him out In the
cold entry. II am dreadful afraid you will
get cold, Fanny" her mother said when she
came in.
But Fanny was above the consideration of
colds. II mean to get up early in the morn
ing," said she, 'and make some fruit cake.
I'm going to have little wedding cake any
how, If can't have new dress to come out
in and have got to wear my old garnet cash
mere. I've always said I'd have wedding
cake, come what would"
Tho next morning Fanny was up very
early. Her mother and grandmother had not
come out when she went about starting the
kitchen fire, and took the basket into the
shed to fill with wood.
She was gone quite little time When
she returned she did not hayo the basket