Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-09-05
Mt in Politics sDevoed to Literature, Local and General News

We'll, said I came over on a little
business to-day. Are ye thinkin' Of
runnin' the whole farm on your own
hook, now Jacob is gomez
why I don't know. have hardly
decided yet, Nathan
What would you say to renting a
field or two, if it paid pretty we'll !?
4 hardly know that, either. Knight
do 1t, suppose.
L would like to have the field joining
my land, to SOW in spring wheat
Grain or money rent, as suits you best.
You can have it l guess. Perhaps
the rent in grain would be the wisest,
as we may not raise as much as when
my brother was here.
That's all, then said Nathan, rising
I m obliged to yc, Hetty. Wen make
it all square when the time comes.'-
He hesltated an instant, then added
Don't you find it pretty lonesome try.
Ing to get on without Jacob ?
If I do, guess can stand lt!' an
swered Hetty, tartly. Jacob Brand
was fool, to do as he did at his time
Of life, but that's no reason | should be
one. too.
Hetty colored, seeing she had rather
committed herself by her last words.
But Natha only smiled and coolly
asked:
"A fool for getting married, or for
going out to Colorado 2
Both, answered lIetty, promptly
Both, to be sure
We'll, l think, myself, that 1t was a
pity he sold his halt of the farm, and
poked off out there
4 don't care for the land, said Het.
ty, quickly. MY half is enough for me.
Then it's the marrying you object to
Well, don't agree with ye there, Het
ty. I'm nigh as old as Jacob-Ill be
forty-two next Christmas-but Id mar
ry in short order, if you would have
me.
Hetty jumped up, her eyes flashing
'There, Nathan Strong. knew you
couldn't go. home without making g
Ounce of yourself
is it the sign of Ounce, to like e
woman from the time she was mite Of
a school girl, and never looked at any
other for her sake, Hetty?
No, but
Nathan interrupted her:
'Hear me out this time, Ietty, and
III not worry you again. Not so soon
-anyhow-I do mean to have you ir
the end
4 wish you may get me, then:
Nathan laughed and said:
80 do l. Come child, 1t is lonely
for you now, isn't it,
If it is, tell you am able to stand
it.
1t worries woman to run farm by
herself, Hetty,
I've got a good hired man
Yes, Eben Sharp is frst-rate work
er. But that isn't all
Very we'll; when need other help
III call on you. snapped Hetty.
You know I'd give you hand any
day, whether you marry me or not
4 never will marry you, Nathan
Strong. Nor any other man either!'
There's some comfort in that / re-
turned Nathan, with his droll smile:
Then hope you will ENJOY it! | don
want any man tied to my apron string,
when can get along just as we'll with
out him. Now put that in your pipt
and smoke it !
I don't smoke, my dear. I remem-
Der hearing you remark once that you
was dead against smokin, so | never
learned. But I'll keep what you say il
mind-untl you change yours
That day won't come Think I'm
going to be fool at nv age, ust be-
cause Jacob was at his
No, | don't think you could be ont
at any age. Now I'll go. Will yor
shake hands, Hetty
She gave him her hand, he shook i
with a wishfui look, and went away.
The silly creature!' said Hetty, whel
he had gone TO think he will keel
on liking me in spite of-oh, every
thing But | won't be Ounce l al
not lonesome don tneed anybody
hel p or company F!
And, by way of proving her words
Hetty sat down and took a good cry al
to herself.
TO tell the truth. she was dreadfully
lonely since her brothers departure
and often at IL loss how to direct affairs
If Eben Sharp had not been as good az