Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-09-05

well, I said l came over on a little
business to-day. Are we thinkin' Of
runnin' the whole farm on your own
hook, now Jacob is gomez
why I don't know. l have hardly
decided yet, Nathan
What would you say to renting a
field or two, if it paid pretty well ?
4 hardly know that, either. Knight
do 1t, suppose.
I 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 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 We, 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 do, guess l can stand 1T" an
swered Hetty, tartly. Jacob Brand
was a fool, to do us he did at his time
of life, but that's no reason I should be
one. too.
Hetty colored, seeing she had rather
committed herself by her last words.
But Nathal only smiled and coolly
asked:
"A fool for getting married, or for
going out to Colorado 2
Both, answered 1Ietty, 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
Il 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 We there, Het-
ty. I'm nigh as old as Jacob-l'lI 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 a
Ounce of yourself =
is it the sign of Ounce, to like a
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, Hetty, and
III not worry you again. Not so soon
anyhow do mean to have you in
the end
Il wish you may get me, then:
Nathan laughed and said:
80 do I. Come child, 1t is lonely
for you now, isn't it,
IF it is, | tell you I am able to stand
it.
1t worries woman to run a farm by
herself, Hetty,
I've got good hired man.
Yes, Eben Sharp is a 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 eitherH
There's some comfort in that re-
turned Nathan, with his droll smile:
Then hope you will ENJOY it! don t
want any man tied to my apron string,
when l can get along just as we'll with
out him. Now put that in your pipe
and smoke it =
I don't smoke, my dear. remem-
Der hearing you remark once that you
was dead against smokin,' so l never
learned. But I'll keep what you say in
mind-untl you change yours
That day won't come Think Tn
going to be fool at nv age, ust be-
cause Jacob was at his
No, l don't think you could be one
at any age. Now III go. Will you
shake hands, Hetty
She gave him her hand, he shook it
with wishfui look, and went away.
The silly creature !. said Hetty, when
he had gone. TO think he will keep
on liking me in spite of-oh, every
thing But | won't be Ounce ! | am
not lonesome! | don t need anybody's
help or company!
And, by way of proving her words,
Hetty sat down and took good cry all
to herself.
TO tell the truth. she WAS dreadfully
lonely since her brothers departure,
and often at n loss how to direct affairs.