The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-21
CHAPTER II.


The next farm to that of Mrs. Hance be-
longed to Squire Pulsey, widower, who
was considered well off as farmers go. He
was mean sort Of man, but honest, not
unusual combination; and he held mort
gage on Mrs. Hance's farm, for her hus-
band lived better than farmers are apt to
live, and it cost him good deal to do it.
Believing that he would be able 10 pay it
back without difficulty, he borrowed money
OF Squire Pulsey and gave him a mortgage
on the farm. An attack of pneumonia car
ried him off in his early prime, SO that he
really lett an inheritance of debt to his wife.
She was plucky woman and good farmer
and given time, Squire PulSey would be paid.
But the Squire was not anxious for his
principal SO long as his interest was paid
regularly, for he enjoyed the privilege of
calling tor it himself. Mrs. Hance had never
given the Squire much encouragement to
call. so these semi-annual occasions were the
only ones that found him in the little front
parlor of the widows farmhouse. He was
the opposite of the late Mr.. Hance in every
way, in character as well as appearance,
and he knew 1t. but as their farms adjoined
each other, he thought it would be a good
thing to marry the widow and throw them
into one.
One pleasant evening early in the summer,
when the honeysuckles that clustered at the
froDtof tie house were sending their sweet
est perfumes through the open window into
the little parlor, Mrs. Hance saw Squire
Pusley coming gaily up the path, as gaily,
that is, as his age and labor tiffened joints
would allow. She noticed that he was in
gala-day attire and that there was actually
bit Of lilac in his button-hole. Nothing
could be farther apart than flowers and
Squire Pusley, and Mrs. Hance said this to
hersen as she saw him approach His were
mean features and his expression rob bed
them OF none of their meanness.
knew this was collection day, SQUIRE"
said MIS- HaneQ uchnripu him in IN
ior, ana am ready for you. Here's your
interest,"" and she drew an envelope with
the money in it from her pocket and handed
1t to the caller. The Squire took it in his
horny fingers, and opening the envelope
counted It carefully and then wrote a re-
ceIpt and handed it to the widow who stood
waiting for him to take his leave. But he
was in no hurry.
Mis- HaDce." said he, sit want only
the interest money that brought me over
Can't you guess what?" said he, trying to
look sentimental. but succeeded SO badly
that Mrs. Hance exclaimed:
Eyes, ! know. That meadow fence Is
down again, and my pigs have got into your
do anything with the fence today, but he he
Will put it up the first thing in the morning."
No, Mis- Hance, want that that
brought me here this evenin'. I'm plain
spoken man, Mis- Hance, an / don't 20
round the long road when can cut Gross
lots You're wilder, an Pm a whichever;
our lan's jne. Why shouldn't our hans
Squire. Pusley had been preparing this
speech Tor long time. and he ratified it off
very gIbly. Mrs Hance was not prepared.
however, and she stared in stolid amazement
at the old man. At last she said:
Il think there must be some mistake.
Squire Pusley; l do not understand YOU"
MY meanin's plain enough" said the
Squire, rather tartly, for her manner was