Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-10-04
A POT OF GOLD.
It Was Found Down in the Old
South Lot

"The storms Just about over, Mollie.
] can see the rainbow"
"Then you can bring in an armful OF
wood, Hiram" came from Mollie's voice
in the kitchen. This waters never
goin' to boil"
'It does beat oil how some folks make
money" Hiram continued. seem to
pick it right up of the ground, some
way. They say there's pot OF gold at
the end Of every rainbow; wish lcould
find one of 'em, that's alll"
''Are you going after that wood,
Hiram Briggsp" demanded Mollie, ap.
pearing in the doorway. "lf you don't
you won't get your pot of coffee for
breakfast, an reckon you'll miss that
more'n you will the pot OF gold that's
at the end of that rainbow"
''Oh. Pm goin', Mollie! You're al
ways in sech o hurry about every
thing" exclaimed Hiram, testify, drag
ging his lank figure to its full height
and sauntering of toward the wood
pile.
spot of gold. indeedT said Mollie to
herself as she returned to her work. ''If
there was pot OF gold in every acre OF
the farm Hiram Briggs'd never dig
deep enough to find it. He might q
had deal more gold out OF 1t than he
has if he'd "a dug little harder"
''Are you goin' to the south lot this
morning, Hiram?" she asked at break
fast. Hiram was slow in replying.
"Well, you see," he began at last, 'I'm
rather afraid thatll have to wait till
afternoon. There's some men prom
ised to meet down to the village"
Mollie made no reply. TWAS not much
for ten years experience Of Hiram
Briggs character to have taught her
that replying was apt to make matters
worse instead OF better.
1.-The fact is, Mollie," he said, as he
rose, "I've about decided to sell the old
farm and invest in somethin' paying. /
can't stand any more Of this everlast-
in drudgeryw He looked ut her with q
little apprehension. Mollie had risen
and stood confronting him with blazing
eyes. The thought flashed across him
that Mollie was handsome woman.
Sell the farm!" she cried. "Sell the
place where was born an where my
father was bern before me! That you
.shan't! Not one inch OF ground or stick
of timber. May be you have the right
in law" She held up her hand as he
was about to speak, .'but you know you
haven't the real right, and I'll never let
you do it, never!"
Hiram's only reply was strong slam
of the door as he passed through. She
watched him cross the orchard and
strike into the road leading to the vii
lage. She watched him rs far as she
could see him and then turned to her
work with sigh.
81 don't know how It'll end" she
thought drearily. I'm tired OF fight
ing and scolding, but I'll fight to the
very end before he shall sell my fathers
farm" she finished, with fierce tears in
her eyes.
Hiram did not come home to dinner,
but that did not alarm Mollie. He very
often did not come home to dinner
when there was south lot waiting for
him. Night came and still he did not
re. I'm, but he had even staid away O
night before now, so at midnight she
closed the house and went to bed.
MAY be / said more than need.
she thought, as she blew out the light.
Toward evening Of the next day q
man sauntered up to the house. "Be
you Mis- Briggs?" he asked Of Mollie,
eagerly watching from the door.
YES" she said. what Is it?"
''Wall, got q letter r somethin' feE
ye," fumbling in his ragged pockets.
''Wall, swan," he exclaimed finally,
-''ef heven't lost it!'
Lost i'll" cried MOllie; ''where'd you
get it?'
"Wall, HI Briggs sed Of l was a-com-
in your way some time to-day / might
bring It. He said as how 'twould explain
itself, an to tell you tibet he was a-goin'
after the pot Of gold under the rainbow,
" some sech stuff"
The next day Mollie folded and
packed away Hirsm's clothes 'sIf he
don't come back till he finds his pot Of
gold, she thought. ''ho'1 never come
back ut all, and II he comes back with
out it he'll need EN-"
81 wonder what could have been in
the lettorp she thought She was soon
to know.
In less than.a week q buggy drove up
70 the door, man alighted and tied his
horse, and Mollie opened the door for
him with strange teelingsO Of .forebOaing.