Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-18
MOTHERS HUSBAND.

Written for the SUNDAY UN1oS-BY LEN
In fertile valley of Northern California
was the Erkhart ranch. The undulating
fields were seas of wheat, with rolling
golden pillows that moved and tossed in
the light wind that swept over 1.-THE east
wind from the Sierra slopes, fragrant with
spice pine and redwood, and now and then
cool breath mingled with its warmth, a
GOODNESS from the snow-capped summit be-
yond.
The house was roomy, two-storied af-
fair. The wide porches, wreathed with
English ivy, the glossy green leaves min
Cling with the scarlet trumpet vine and blue
wistaria bloom. In this pretty home lived
the widow Erkhart and her two handsome
daughters, Belle and Marion. Marrying
young, she seemed scarcely older than her
girls, and retained all her former fresh
beauty, years only adding to her plump
comliness. Her husband had left the ranch
and an annuity that placed them above
want. With hired help she superintended
the fall planting and the spring harvest
ing. The girls had attended the Normal
School, and were now successful teachers.
adding their salaries to the already we'll
invested store.
1t was the June vacation, and both girls
were at home, rushing over the ranch on
horseback, without vestige of saddle, in
the cool early morning, or driving the
great hay-rake through the fields after
sunset. Some moonlight nights they would
race their horses over the plains, and stop
awhile at a neighbours ranch to chat. In
each and every pursuit Mrs. Erkhart
thought land rightly SOY they excelled.
that home and mother were good things to
have. So it was with inward heart-quak-
ings she called her two girls to her bed
room to talk on important business.
Business, Mamsey," said Belle, "oh,
no, don't; 1t is too fine night for such
dry subject. Come over to the Peoria
House, there is dance there, won't
your
mo, dears," replied Mrs Erkhart, 81
must tell you something you should have
been told months ago"
"My," said Marion, "Pm on tiptoe to
hear. Is the weevil in the wheat, or has
the freckles obliterated joe" This fling
was in reference to the boy who did the
chores, and whose face was as notified as
turkey egg.
Neither" said Mrs. Erkhart, shut I'm
going to marry again"
Marry exclaimed both girls in one
breath. 'Oh, mother; when we were all
so happy" said Belle.
eyes, dears, | know we are, but you are
away all winter, and | am alone. You
will both leave me some day, anyway, for
homes of your own"
NO. we won't" chorused the girls.
swell, anyway, l am to marry man |
love, respect and esteem" she continued,
"but it won't alter your lives. You will
always have home here"
"Oh," said Belle, "don't expect me to
put up with any man in fathers place."
''Nor |, said Marion. "Id rather live
at service"
SWELL" said their mother bitterly, ''you
are both selfish girls" and she burst into
tears.
"Oh, don't cry" said Belle, 'that won't
mend matters; but who is the man you,
you, are to marry, and why did you not
tell us before?'
at won't be till fall, and he is away
now" said their mother, drying her
eyes. "His name is Varney West; he has
just come from the East, has money, and
ranch, and is a fne-looking noble man."
"Ah' said Belle dryly.
II hope you girls will like him, and
that we will all live happily. Now, good
night" And the girls felt they were dis
missed.
Once in their own room, they held an
indignation meeting. 'To think" cried
Belle, shat stranger must take dear
fathers place."
'He is sneak, know" cried Marion.
"Oh, hate him, do, do" and she flung
herself sobbing on the bed.
The next day the girls were calmer, and
talked over the intrusive party-the inter-
loper, as they called him. One thing,
they decided to leave home before his re-
turn to that locality. They told their
mother of their intentions, and she felt too
hurt and proud to coax them to stay. And
besides this, she was really very fond of
Varney West, and he was fond of the nice
little widow, whose beauty, being of the
medium order, had not waned
Before fall had come the girls had taken
their share of money, and had purchased a
small wheat and alfalfa ranch on the river
fork, some miles away from the old home.
On it there was comfortable cabin, and
nice sheds and barn. They hired boy to
do the rough work, and intended hiring
men to plant the winter wheat. Their
stock consisted of two COWS, two horses and
some fowls; also light carriage for driy-
ing, and a heavy wagon for hauling hay.
These were among their fathers requests.
If the girls had been married their
mother would willingly have helped them
to share Of her own goods and chattels,
but under the circumstances she would not
add even kindergarten to the new
"menage."
Widow Erkhart was married in Septem-
Der to the man of her choice, and the girls
were as much alone in the world as orphans.
But cheerfully they worked, till all the
crops we're in; then they set everything in
order inside, and really had cosy, com
Portable home OF their own.
The winter rains came, and came as
only rain does in warm countries, after the
hot, dry summer of six months. Binding
sheets of rain that blotted out the noun
tains, that yelled the valley in mist, soak
ing into the thirsty earth till every brook
and creek was trimming full The noun
tain SHOWS increased the volume of water
in the river, and it rose steadily inch by
inch. The stock were all under cover, so
there was nothing to do but wait the
abating of the Storm
Narney West, with his two friends, had
come from Illinois to settle in California
After Varney's marriage the other two
had bought adjoining ranches, also a fine
head of stock, and were quite settled i'll
their new home. Working hard and be-
ing both fine, steady fellows, they were an
acquisition to any country. Varney was
tall and fair, with crop of curly blonde
hair, the other two were dark, with fine
hysique-handsome fellows they could
both be called anywhere
The rain was still falling steadily, when
one day Belle noticed three horsemen
making rapidly towards their house
Nearing the gate the foremost one shouted.
Belle opened the door to answer. He
stopped suddenly, then said, Madam, the
river is rising rapidly; you must move to
higher ground or you'll be flooded out"
Marion, standing behind Belle, was
terror stricken. Just then the other two
came up, and called out their willingness
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