The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-10

word to him for more'n ten years. That
boy of hers. Leon, amt never heard his
mother speak to his father"
DO you mean that literally. Mrs. Armil?
Not a word2"
mot word. Amt it audacious? 1t
would make my blood run cold to live that
way for a week. | told Hetty, says |,
'Armil wouldn't put up with sech fo0iIn =
that's my husband, a real nice man, and
liked his own way; he had the same pretty
blue eyes like Emil and a sorter sulky
streak pint blank like Emil, too. But Seth,
he's terrible patient, and he sets the world
and all by Hetty-alwayS did; and they DO
get on better than you'd think they could.
She cooks everything his way, and FUR
nlShed the house with her own money Jest
to please him. He's great hand for read
ing ia books about things, aud he paints
beautiful. He painted their rooms in
side, but Hetty painted the outside.
Shes splendid farmer, too, and can pillow
and plant better than a man, yes, he would
pintedly be a fool to mad Hettyl So, some
how, they get on; when they want any
thing they talk it out to Leon, he's terri
Bile bright boy, got awful big mouth, see it
coming round to his ears from the back OF
him. when he begins to smile, but ne is jest
as good as gold and is on 10 fractions In the
'riihmetc. If Hetty wants TO know any,
thing she tells Leon, and be asks his paw,
and Seth the same way with her; and there
is advantages; he never gets harsh word
from her. But, law me, it's the funniest
sight ever did see, him and her attacking"
"Talking?"
Yes, ma'am, to Leon. He sets atween
them and first she says, Leon, I'm mighty
dubious bout this trying to turn the whole
world upside down cause we all don't have
the money to pay our honest debts; for
that's what it comes to-, says she. Perhaps
the Lord made the world in seven days,
says she, but We cant make il over so
briefly Leon says he, those Eastern
land sharks and the money power (and he
sings out lot of fine words like lie gifts out
Of books, IdiSTemembeT them) they are going
to skin US, and SO il goes on, first ana last.
Leon never opening his head, only when he
gifts right tired he sometimes does say, Paw
and ma, are you all done talklngy aud ggtS
off that way"
but what do they do when they are i'll,
any Of them?"
I'll? BE amt bit i'll to her or to him
its the peacefulest family you ever die ben
in"
L mean SICK" Miss Brainerd amended,
recalling the Southern Interpretation of the
word.
We'll, Mrs. Armil answered refectively,
they amt ben much sick; worst was when
Hetty broke her arm; that was bad You
see Hetty and me was raised together and
first cousins and all like we be; we think a
heap OF each other, so IN over there all the
time [ can, and was there that day. Yes,
ma'am, l don't reckon | shall ever forget
the way Hetty looked marching into the
room with Leon In her poor arms and one
OF them plumb broken aud Leon all bloody.
The way Of it was the bull run at Leon
he want only 3 then and puny as puny
never believed they could raise him. And he
want much hurt, but lac fell down, that
was how, ana bloOdied himself and looked
the worst in the would; aud she'd made a
run for him and wropped the bulls
head up in the cloth, and Lord only
knows how she done it - she got him
back into the barn not hurt bit and
picked up Leon and carried him into the
bOuse-he made a kinder mess on the car
pet tracking in, you know, and sOmeWay
Seth got word and come a flynn. First he
lowed twas Leon. He seen Hetty q stand
ing calm, as calm could be, by the stove and
the arm wasn't broke being toward him,
he didn't think of her. 'Leoni Leon! Is
Leon hurt bad% was all his word For
Gods sake, Esther, tell me- says he. |
wont never ask you to say another word
But she didn't say one word to hiE; just
calls in a queer, choked-up voice, Leon,
come on here TO your father Then / said
Leon was all right, it bein' Hetty that had
broke her arm, and gave him the whole
story binder peppery like. for l felt riled to