Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-06-28


that it was because they were so unlikely,
"both inclined to be cranky, and Miss Lu-
cy, the younger of the two, of a dreadful
spunky disposition" which, in common
par lance. means that she had bad temper
Hiram was no longer farm hand, but had
a good farm of his own and bank stock be.
sides. and was not be looked down upon
by the two spinsters, though they began
life under so much more favorable circum.
stances than he did. Why should he not
drive over to Brimport and play cards with
them occasionally The roads were not
bad between Pride's Corner and that place,
and Dolly, his old white mare, though not
very nimble, was sure and steady, and was
good for such journey any pleasant even
ing. when she had not been working much
during the day. Tomorrow would be a leis
urely day, as the early planting was fin
ished, and he would just go over and make
call to see how the land lay in the direc-
ton of his desires.
Miss Lucy as prim and polite as ever,
opened the door in answer to his ring,
greeting him with gratifying cOrdiality,
and inviting him into the same room where
he had spent such delectable evenings
twenty years before. Everything seemed
unchanged there with the exception of
Miss Lucy herself, who had grown old and
sallow.
$50 glad to see you, Mr.. Leadbetter!
smoothing down her black silk apron with
both hands, as if to emphasize her speech
in this way ~ knew you was somebody
l knew the minute saw you coming up
the walk. Now don't say a-word, N see
if Jane IL know you; she's coming in now. .
But Jane did not exactly remember. She
''reckoDed he was somebody she used to
be acquainted with, but there, he had the
advantage of her anyhow
Cant you call to mind card party
that used ter play consid' able in this very
room the year the cars begun to run here
N the packet was took off that used tel
land down ter the wharf below, n ysul
father N, ole Capn Turner had their mead
ows set out ter cranbry vinesf"
Miss Jane, who was several years oldel
than her sister, and not nearly as (what
the Brimport people called) "genteel and
pretty spoken as she was, though credit
ed with being less iery-tempered, reflect
ed moment.
"There, go 'long!" she exclaimed; '.you'rt
Hiram Leadbetter. Well! well! who'd "a
thought iti It's been long spell since
we sot eyes on you, an we was speakin
about you not long ago. We saw your
wife's death in the county paper"
Hiram did not care to be reminded OF
poor Maria just then; he was afraid they
would think he had come counting. He
was sure Cynthy and all his neighbOr'
would be absolutely certain that such was
the case when they found out that he had
called on the Slater girls-they were still
called girls, though Jane was more thar
sixty-and they would find it out in some
way before the week was over. Pride'S
Corner and Brimport had nothing to dc
with each other, but gossip of that kint
seemed to go on the wings of the wind.
Mriar wouldn't care nothin' about it,
he reflected; "but there, it don't seem re
spectful to her mem'ry to have folks sayin
such things"
Miss Jane would not be satisfied, howev
er, without hearing hearing all the details
| of her illness, listening with kind of sol
emn pleasure, and eager to know if The
poor lady's countenance looked natural af
| ter her demise.
Don't you never have game O. whist
or ole sledge now'dayss" Hiram hastenet
to inquire, when these mournful prelimina
ries were over.
ooh yes, whenever we get chance,
said Miss Lucy; ''but that amt very fire
| quent, unless we play three-handed, OF
whist with dummy, and that amt very
| interesting. Cap'n Bowers, that's bull
| that new house you see across the street
likes to play as wells we do, but his wife
don't know one card from another, and Il
| she tries to learn she just goes to sleep
over it. But she's willing he should play
all he wants to. Folks about here never
| were any hands for cards; most of 'en
thinks it's wicked to play; the minister
| both preach against it. Jane and | neve
| should have learned if we hadn't gone tt
the city visiting at uncle's when we were
| young girls, likely as not, though pa some
| times liked game when he was at home
| There's young set here now that 60 abou
from house to house playing little on the
| sly in the winter time. But they don't in
yite any of the older folks, and it's a kline
of outlandish game they play-progressiv'
euchre they call it, believe"
Eyes, and somethin' they call it drivin
| whist too," said Miss Jane. eur my part
| don't want no fashions hitched on to my
game. 1 like it plenty well enough as tits
Lucy"-addressing her sister-''if Hiram
would put up his hoss, and stop till aftel
tea. Cap'n Bowers would be tickled te
death ter come over this evening, and We
could hev beautiful rubber"
Hiram looked radiant. 81 don't want yt
to put yourselves out on my account" he
said, but should like a rubber tirst-rate
shall have to start for home pritty early
thongh, for it's good six miles, you know
and in my neighborhood folks are expected
to be in bed bed by nine er-clock, or few
| minutes past"
"Well, I'll go right in and speak t.
Cap'n Bowers now, and we'll get unde
way early, so you can get home in goot
season. But do wish you lived nearer
it's so hard to stop before nine o'clock"
Hiram hadn't enjoyed an evening fol
years as he enjoyed that one. "And Mria
d be glad of it, y he kept saying to himsel
over and over again in answer to ittl'
prickings of conscience which he felt in hi
breast. that he should be so happy and sh'
dead and gone.
Miss Lucy made delicious cup of OlC
Hyson, brought out the best china from th'
old corner cupboard in the parlor, and al
| the trio sat about the festive board theI
| became quite exhilarated. After tea, thu
card d-playing neighbor appeared with his
| fat Jolly wife, who brought her knitting
work and sat down to watch the game, a
| she said, but who was soon fast asleep II
her chair. Everything progressed beauti
fully. The first game was won by Hiram
and Miss Lucy, the second by Captain
Bowers and Miss Jane, and the first rubber
by Hiram and his partner.
When this was finished, Hiram though
he really must be starting for home. Il