Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-09-05
Mechcsown Frederick County, MavEad Thursday September s. 1885,

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somebody to manage the place !! she
said, Indignantly. Not much ! If |
ever did marry it wouldn't be for that.
I'm very well as l am at present, thank
you!
But somehow, it seemed to Hetty, so
sure as anything got into middle, SO
sure was Nathan Strong to be on hand
to straighten it out. And whether to
be most grateful to him or angry at
him, she did not know.
One day, while Eben was absent, a
sudden storm came up, and the wind
blew terribly. When the gust was ev-
er, Hetty went down to see if any dam
age had been done. She found fence
partly blown down, and some choice
young stock at liberty to go where they
pleased.
This won't dov she said. 'Eben
won't be home these two hours, even
Indy Is gone, SO what is to be done 2'>
The only thing seemed to be to at
tempt putting up the fence with her
own hands, and she went bravelY to
work. But the rails were heavy and
cut her palms, and they would not stay
as she had put them.
She was so worried that she did not
notice man coming OH horseback, I'M
til a familiar voice said at her elbow
'Hetty, strikes me that amt jest the
business for you. Let me have try
at it.
And the next minute, Nathan Strong
was off his horse and quietly straight
ening the fence as if it were mere play.
Hetty's cheek burned, but she could
only stand helplessly looking on and
explain to him how it happened.
'Tisn t worth thank you," he an
swered, when she thanked him for his
assistance. You know I'm glad to
serve you any day, Hetty. We men
may not be very ornamental sort O
chaps, but we come handy once il a
while-don't we?' he added, in his
quzzical way, as he mounted his horse
again.
He rode off, leaving Hetty to return
to the house very much provoked, and
not being sure whether it was with the
wind, the cattle or Nathan.
For awhile, after that, all went
smoothly. She saw Nathan looking at
her in church on Sunday; but he kept
his word and Let her alone, never COM
ing to the farm if he could help it.
Ietty missed him more than she
would own, and the evenings were long
and lonely but she bore her solitude
bravely.
She had very fine herd of young
cattle, from which she meant to realize
Il handsome sum after awhile. Hearing
of a nice calf for sale on a place about
two miles off, she hitched her steady old
horse Bob and went over to look at it.
Eben had gone to town but she di-
rected him to return by the Mills Farm,
so that, if she bought the calf, he could
drive it home. The animal proved to
be a beauty, so she did buy it. Then
she waited a reasonable time; but Eben
did not appear. She feared he might
be detained in town until
dark so she said to Mr.. Mills:
4 don't believe it is worth while to
wait for my man. Just bring the calf
out; I have q rope, and I'll drive it
myself.
We'll, now, Mis- Brandt don't see
jest how ye're goin' to manage it, re-
piled Farmer Mills. obviously.
L do-that's better. You bring it
out, and tie the rope and hand it to me
through the back of the buggy
Wal, can do it, Mis- IIetty; but
calf's frisky critter to drive, an | low
yell haye sight o trouble, even if it
don't skeer your horse
'Mr. Hills, old Bob wouldn't scare
at traction engine; and I'm not afraid
Of cali like that.
Wal, if woman will, she will, I
s'spose,' sad Mr.. Mills, as he brought
the animal out.
But, if you get your neck broke,
Mis- Hetty. don't blame me-
I won't. Goodbye And Hetty
drove off, leading the calf behind the
buggy.
Old Bob looked round now and then,
as if he did not altogether fancy his
company but he behaved pretty we'll
as long as the calf did.
For half-mile, it trotted along con-
tentedly, but then 1t began to trist
about and make little sidelong runs.
tf1y'o