West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-02-14
HIS SISTER,
by NARY A. pENlsoN.

"Robert, l found the barn unfastencd
again tonight, and the rails in the cor
ner pasture down. | declare, YOU de-
serve to be flogged for your careless.
ness.
"You won't hog me, sir" said the
boy, in low voice. His face flushed
hotiy. He had been reading, his hands
on either side OF his chin; now he pushed
his book away, and sat looking doggedly
before him.
Mercy on me" murmured Grand.
mother Macy, who sat near the table
knitting. 81 do wish Jabez wouldn't
speak that way!'
Aunt Mary, visitor from the West,
pushed her chair with an impatient
movement further frcm the fire. frown-
ing 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.
81 didn't say would fog your sad
the farmer, harshly. 81 SAID YOU de
served to be flogged for your careless q
ness, and so you do. Ever since that
money was left to you, you've seemed TO
want TO go your own way"
Il will go my own way. too!r NUT
tered the boy between his teeth. Bertha's
quick ear caught the words, aud she ven
tured 10 speak
Father, Robert didn't lock the barn.
because John told hm not to, till he
came home"
''0h John told him not to. did he,
How long since John took it upon him
self to issue his orders? / think / am
the one 10 be obeyed on these premises y
was the quick re .oinder, ana then the
girl was silenced. 81 suppose John told
him not TO put up the rails, alsop' the
farmer added, as If unwilling to end the
controversy.
John sa nothing to me about that :
i simply forgot it," said Robert, sulleuly.
'Of course you forgot il! 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; II did, wonder where you would
bel"
Aunt Mary looked at her brother over
her spectacles. Her usually mild face
quivered with excitement.
Brother" !" she said, in tone Of dis
may.
''of course you'd take sides against
mel The boy has always been excused.
His mother made fool of him. and his
sister ditto. BY and by / shan't be al
lowed 70 speak 10 my own house"
Robert threw down the book which he
had taken up again with an angry oes.
ture, and stalkcd out Of the room He
was tall, good looking boy of G ghteen.
large OF his agc, and clumsy in his move.
ments. The farmer made as il he would
call him back, but settled himself in his
chair again, aud frowned
''The fact is, since his uncle left him
that five thousand dollars, said Farmer
Macy, 'the boy hasn't cen worth his
salt to me ~
go father, you"
'Silence" said the old man. test,Iy
II 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
ne gives his tine TO, and me slaviDg like
a dog"
ITS a great pity" said Aunt Mary
and she spoke in her slow, sweet wav 80
that one could hardly imagine there was
the least touch Of sarcasm in what sbe
sad, that George didn't leave Inc
money to your
"Eh, you think 20, do YOU" said the
farmer, his heavy features lighting I'M
Look what / could ma done with five
thousand dollars-and the place needing
improvement so much Yce. even one
thousand would set me upl And To
think Of ell that money lying idle. for
Robert TO come into, and spend as he
pleases. He'll 90 OF as soon as he gets
It."
"That depeads upon how you treat
him, my son." said Grandma Macy
looking up and resting her needles.
"Treat him I" and the Turner leaned
forward, glaring at them all. 'fDon't
give him a roof and clothes aud food
Would you have me knucklo 10 the bov
20 my own son, because he is coming In
70 possession OF little paltfy money3
A pretty father I should bom
Grandma Macy's needles clicked on.
and Aunt Mary looked thouQhlfullv at
the FIRE. The old fashioned clock That
had licked in IFS ancient corner for over
seventy years struck nine
Bertha had slipped ont Of tho room.
gone through the kitchen, and up the
back stairs. The wind was rising. aud
the rain, which had just begun TO fall.
drove heavily against the window panes
on the upper landing. The pirl moved
swiftly down the narrow passage In the
dark, toward n door ut the further end.
through the kcyholc Of which came