The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-05-01
HIS SISTER.
ny MARY A. DExrsox.

Robert, found the barn unfastened
again tonight, and the rails in the corner
pasture down. ! declare, you deserve to
be fiogged for your carelessness."
You won't fog me, sir r. said the boy
in a low voice. HIS face flushed hotly.
He had been reading, his hands on either
side OF his chin; now he pushed his
book away, and sat down doggedly be-
fore him.
Mercy on mep murmured Grand
mother Macy, who sat ner the table
knitting. Il do wish Jabez wouldn't
speak that way~
Aunt Mary, visitor from the West,
pushed her chair with an impatient
movement further from the fire, frowning
a little; but Bertha, Farmer Macy's only
daughter, girl of sixteen, looked from
her father to Robert, her cheeks scarlet,
her eyes full of tears.
i didn't say would fog you p said
the farmer harshly. said you desery-
ed 10 be flogged fer your carelessness and
so you do. Ever since that money was
left to you, you've seemed 70 want to go.
your own way"
q / lriH 90 my own way, too" muttered
the boy between his teeth.
Bertha's quick ear caught the words,
and she ventured to speak
Father, Robert didn't lock the barn,
because John told him not TO, till he got
home.n
oh, John told you not TO, did he =?
How long since john took it upon him
self to issue his orders think | am the
one TO be obeyed on these premises" was
the quick rejoinder, and then the girl
was silenced.
suppose John told him not to put
up the rails?" the farmer added, as fun
willing TO end the controversy.
John said nothing to me about that /
simply forgot it, said Robert, very sui
lenly
"0f course you forgot it You're al
ways forgetting! II rubber could be tied
on to your memory to stretch it little,
it would be better for you / don't for
get If 1 did, wonder where you would
be?s
Aunt Mary looked at her brother over
her spectacles. Her usually mild face
quiyered with excitement.
Brother " she said, in tone of dis
may.
OF course you'd take sides against me
The boy has always been excused. His
mother made foolof him, and his sister
ditto. By and by shan't be allowed to
speak in my own house"
Robert threw down the book which he
had taken up again withan angry gesture
and stalked out of the room. lie was a
tall, good-looking boy of eighteen, large
of his age and clumsy in his movements
The farmer made as if he would call
him back, but settled himself in his chair
again and frowned.
The fact is, since his uncle left him
that FIVE thousand dollars" said Farmer
Macy, the boy hasn't been worth his
salt to mep
o, father, you"
Silence :" said the old man, testify.
q / tell you he is doing nothing but long
ing for the time when he is twenty-one,
and can put his hands on that money.
Castle-building and reading, that's what
he gives his time to, and me shaving like
a dog~
"It's great pity" said Aunt Mary,
and she spoke in her slow, sweet way, so
that one could hardly imagine there was
the least touch Of sarcasm in what she
said, that George didn't leave the mon
ey to your
Eh, you think so, do you?" said the
farmer. his heavy features lighting up.
4" Look what l could ha' done with five
thousand dollars-and the place needing
improvement 80 much les, even one
thousand would set me up. And to think
Of all'that money lying idle, for Robert to
come into. and spend as be pleases, He
viii 90 off as soon as he gets it,
"That depends upon how you treat
him. my son. said Grandma Macy, look
ing up and resting her needles.
Treat himl" and the farmer leaned
glaring at them all Don't /
give him a roof, and clothes, and food?
Would you have me knuckle TO the boy,
10 m, own son, because ne is coming
into possession Of little paltry money?
A pretty father should be /"
Grandma Macy's needles clicked OF,
and Aunt Mary looked thoughtfully at
the Gre The old-fashioned clock that
had licked in Its ancient corner for over
seventy years struck nine
Bertha bad slipped oEt of the room,
gone through the kitchen, and up the !
back stairs The wind was rising, and /
Ihe rain, which had Just begun to fall, /
iFoye heavily against the window panes !