Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-11-07
THE BIG CHEESE.
BY ESTHER sERLE KENNETH.

The Saltons were as poor as people
could be, and live comfortably and re-
specially. Mrs. Salton said it was owing
to her husbands industry and energy
that they got along at all-wages were
SO low, and market prices so high; while
Mr.. Salton declared that their cosiness
was entirely the result of his wife's good
management. They were very united
in their affections, and they had three
good children.
But, to Mrs. Salton's regret, they were
all boys. She would have liked daugh-
ter to grow up in the house, and assist
her. So pressed was she sometimes for
little maid to sew up seam, or wash
the dishes, that she told Joe Sheppard,
the overseer of the poorhouse, that he
might send her an orphan girl, If he had
bright and docile one, and she would
try her, and perhaps keep her till she
was eighteen.
"Well now, Mrs. Salton, reckon I'm
lucky enough to have just what you
want" said Joe Sheppard. otis Sophy
Niles. She's above the generality O
poorhouse girls. Come to US because she
was left with an old grandmother, and
she had to come. Sophy could have
earned her own living, tho she was but
twelve, but she couldn't support her
grandmother, so tn overseers brought
'em both. Sophy amt SO chirk since
the old lady died, but she's good girl,
an good-mannered girl. Never has to
be spoke to twice."
Mis-. Salton agreed to take Sophy
Niles.
81 think I'll have to, Nathan" she
said to her husband. II feel lazy this
spring; suppose it is because the baby
is cutting his teeth so hard, and breaks
me of my rest So"
''There isn't lazy bone in your body.
With the family, the COW, the pigs, the
hens and the baby to take care of, you
have too much to do. I only wish you
could have good strong woman-"
90, nonsense! I only want little lift
now and then. I'm glad you didn't
think it extravagant for me to take Sophy.
She will do"
Mr.. Salton was a farmer, but he did
not own farm. He worked for rich
man named Arthurson, who owned a
very superior farm, and kept a great deal
of help. He had to work regularly every
day under Mr.. Arthurson's orders. At
certain seasons of the year, however, he
would be unemployed. He was subject
to rheumatic fevers, which incurred ex-
pense. He had lost two children, and
he had other misfortunes which kept him
poor. But just now he was struggling
very hard to pay up the mortgage on his
little home. He counted every cent with
this object in view. He had been lit
tie surprised that Lizzy, who was one
with him in all his plans, should wish to
take another mouth to feed. Still, he
supposed his wife knew best. She knew
how she felt. If she needed the girls
help she should have it, if they did not
pay the mortgage for another year.
Sophy came just at the right time.
she was quiet, colorless girl of thirteen,
doing just as she was bid, and she
seemed to have a knack with the baby,
so Mrs. Salton said she made good be-
ginning.
Two days after she arrived, Mr. Arthur
son came riding down to the little house
on horseback. A terrible thing had hap
pened-a dog, supposed to be mad, had
bitten his dairyman's wife; the husband
had gone off in great haste to get IA
nous doctor, and might not be back for
two days Mr.. Arthurson's COWS had
been just driven up for milking, and
there was no one to milk them. Would
Salton and his wife, who understood the
business also, come and milk them9 They
might have most of the milk, in payment,
until the dairynnan came back, and other
arrangements could be made.
For three nights, MIR. and Mrs. Salton
went to the villa, and MIXED Mr.. Arthur
sons numerous COWS; and then they had
a barrel of milk.