Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-30
A CLEVER RUSE.
Aunt Kate's Novel Way Of Nan
aging Her Obstinate Brother.


1T amt no use in a-goin' agin your
pa, Jennie-he's had his own way
round here continal, for more'n thirty
years, an you'll jest hev to give in, no
use tall1in' at him. IT only makes him
wusS."
Poor little Mrs Olcott had been &C
customed during the whole of her mar
ried life to Jest give in," and her only
chance of peace was in yielding to her
acknowledgements husband, and al
lowing him to carry his point without
opposition,
Jennie was differently constituted.
She inherited her fathers strong will,
and he had, much to his surprise, sud-
denly discovered an opposing force ia
his youngest child.
She had been away from home for
nearly three years-this pretty, brown
haired girl with the determined face
and graceful carriage, and the father
secretly admired and almost feared her.
: wealthy and chldless aunt in the city
had bcsought Jennie to share her home,
and Hiram Olcott's pretty daughter,
though clinging to the farm, with al
its dear memories Of childhood and
childhood's joys, chose wisely when
she yielded to her aunt's request. 1t
was better-far better-for her, for
even after her going, there We're plen-
~ of children to keep the misery old
farmer in a perpetual grumble about
money matters
1t was May and the country wore one
glad smile, and Jennie hailed with dc
light the prospect Of a visit to her
home, assuming very willingly the re-
sponsibility of housekeeping while her
two unmarried sisters attended the
wedding of q cousin in distant town.
This morning she was cooking, and
with her sleeves rolled above her
elbows stood beside the kitchen table.
In one hand she held an earthen plate,
while the clip, clip, clip of a fork
sounded noisily as she whipped some
eggs to froth.
Yer sisters he'd to marry to suit
him." walled the nervous little woman,
IAN you'll hev to, too; eff you don't
theren be awful fuses, so you'd jes'
better give in"
That morning the father had spoken
to Jennie of 4 young farmer, whom he
termed '1ikely catch" She had ex-
pressed her opinion of him in so decided
a way as to alarm Mr.. Olcott for the
safety of his much priced authority.
He was wont to speak of himself as
marvellous example of the patriarch
make 'em mind" he would say.
keep yer household beneath yer feet;
govern 'em well, an they'll git along"
Jennie's bOldness in opposing his
Judgment so stupefied him that his
anger had not yet had time to blaze
forthI but Mrs. Olcott knew it would
come and so, after her husband had
left the kitchen, she pleaded with the
girl to ''give in" Jennie had been very
thoughtful during the little wOman's
appeal, but now she was resolved, and
it was the Olcott in her nature which
spoke: Il wouldn't marry Jordan
Moggs though father should threaten to
murder me"
. The eggs were stiif now, and as she
set the plate down on the table, she
turned from her mother and busted her
self among the ingredients for cake
baking which were before her. Jennie
was blushing, as she began softly:
There is some one in Poole l like very
much, mother, and he's coming out
here to"
''He needn't mind comin',n said
Farmer Olcott, grinly, as he stepped
quietly into the kitchen. His face wore
a cunning leer, and his wind-reddened !
cheeks were distorted by the sneering
curves of his hard-lined mouth. Seat
ing himself on one of tho paintN'
en- chairs, he drew the = wood
nm ana 1o''' Joot-jack toward
- or his heavy shoes with