Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-09-05
Annals WAY.
Her "Iron Shoe" and the Use She
Made Of It.

The village of Oxford was alive with
curiosity that Sunday morning to see
the bride that Bob Trench had brought
home. He had woOed and won her in
New York, and none of his family had
seen her until her arrival among them
the night before. The whole thing
said DR.. Tanner. ''done. no doubt, at
a white heat, after the fashion of the
Trench family"
The Trenches were a large-bodied,
hot-blOOded race, always making a
talk in the county by sudden outbreaks
into vice or into big, heroic deeds of
virtue.
The quiet, slow-going. Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians who made up the COM
munity of the village of Oxford found
the virtuous Trenches quite as discom-
posing and uncomfortable to live with
as the wicked ones.
Radical religion" said Deacon
Vale, lis like a balkin' horse. He
may intend to drag you up the hill.
but he lands you in the ditch at last.
Give me an old. steady PAGER on the
road or in the church,
The Trenches had front pew (for
which they sometimes forgot to paw,
and it was here that Bob led his wife
this morning. She was a small woman
with light eyes and hair, and looked
oddly white and cool and insignificant
among the big-boned, black browed
Trenches. She knew that the whole
congregation were sitting in Judgment
on her eyes and nose and gown. but
went through with her devot:ons in
absolute calm. Old Dr. Mcleod, in
the pulpit, casting a curious glance
down at her. was appalled, by catching
her pale eye fixed rebukingly upon
him, and furried through the sermon
in headlong haste.
When the plate was passed for the
collection. honest Bob. in the fervor of
his soul. pulled out hundred-dollar
bill; but the bride neatly intercepted
1T and dropped in five instead. On the
way home she gave the note back to
him.
why did you not let me give it,
Anna? My heart was so full of thanks
giving! l have you! 1 wanted some
body to be the better for it,
Five dollars is quite enough to
spend yearly on the conversion of the
jews" she said. smiling. I'VE will
make out list of charities, calculate
what we can afford to give to each,
and divide"
Bother! 1 like to make a squirt
when l feel charitable" grumbled
Bob; but he squeezed her arm and
looked down on her adoringly. How
just you are. Anna. Pom my word
believe you are perfect"
Il try to do what is right" said the
little creature, walking beside him
with trim. measured steps. There
was not a touch of elation or Pharisee-
ism in her tone. yet Bob somehow felt
belittled beside her, and shuffled in
his body and his spirit like a big,
guilty schOol-boy.
Luncheon was the first meal at which
the family had met since her arrival
Now Grandma Trench. who was seven
ty and victim of tic-doulourex, had
long ago yielded the care of the house
to Kate. the eldest daughter. There
had been fierce suspicious in Hates
mind that the newcomer would try to
wrest the roign of sovereignty from
her.
She'll take the head of the table;
you'll see." she told her sister Josey,
vehemently. 'She must understand
from the beginning that you and ]
contribute to the expenses. and that ]
manage. l will never take a second
place-never! What can that child,
brought up in a city boarding-school,
know of housekeeping"
But the child in her babyish white
gown seemed TO understand the situa-
ton by second-sight She came into
the room where luncheon was served,
her arm about grandma's waist. softly
smiling as the old lady chartered.
Kate. tall and grim, stood behind the
chair of honor. In an instant Anna
had seated the old lady in it.
My dearr' she cried, amazed.
This is not my place? Kate, Or
or you -"
mo, no, deari Sit still. OF course
the place of precedence is yours" said
Anna. gently. THAT is right will
sit by you and do the work" sliding
quietly into chair.
Kate. in dumb rage. found herself
deposed. But what could she dot
Anna was right. She was right. too.
when Bob sent up for a third cup OF
green tea. in leaving it untitled.
..You think you want MORE" she
said. FER light. smiling eyes holding
his firmly. ..But you are mistaken.