Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1891-04-25

NClS AAahiuS o~o Aof " y
ling down the lovely patch Of which
the farmer had all spring been justly
proud.
To encourage the intruders to
make their way out with as little
trouble as possible he let the bars
down, and then tried to drive them
to the opening; but there is nothing
so obstinate and exasperating as
couple Of young pigs, and they rush
ed squealing by the opening without
as much as glance.
Round and round went the pigs
squealing and grunting at every
step; and round and round went
Farmer Talbut, putting and Wheel
ing in hot pursuit, with Amanda
close at his heels.
At last, stopping short in the Gen.
tire of the field and hopping the
sweat from his flushed face, he ex-
claimed, in despairing voice.
"It's no use, Mandy; the pesky
little devils won't go out till they
get ready, 50 we might as we'll so
back to the house"
II woulnd't use swear words"
said Amanda severely. "Let us try
once more; you go this way, and I'll
go that, and we'll head off the crit
ters."
So saying they started in opposite
directions, with the pigs squealing
just ahead.
It was laughable sight to see the
pigs and their pursuers as they all
rushed excitedly toward the open
bars. AS the animals drew near the
opening, the foremost one turned as
though to rush back into the field.
As he did so Amanda sprang for
ward. If she could only seize the
foremost pig and push him through
the opening, she knew the other one
would soon follow.
With wild spring she swooped
down upon the offender, who with
prolonged squeal slipped cunnlngly
from beneath her grasp, and Anan-
ia, losing her balance, fell headlong
into the arms of farmer Talbut, her
nose striking against his ample shirt
front with such force that the blood
rushed from it like claret from a
broken bottle.
"Oh! oh oh ~ cried Amanda II
reckon my nose is broken p
"Don't faint, Mandy-oh, please
don'tl I'm very sorry it hurt you
so y said the symphathetic farmer,
still holding her in his arms and
carefully wiping the blood from her
upturned face.
"I'm not a-going to faint" said
Amanda, with little spirit; "but
oh, it did hurt So" and the tears
came to Amanda's eyes at the
thought of the injury to her poor
nose.
All farmer Talbut's sympathies
were aroused, and for few mo-
ments he failed to realize that he
was bachelor and that this was a
real woman he was holding in his
arms; besides, Amanda's soft, warm
cheek was very close to his own,
and he so far forgot himself that he
bent toward and actually planted a
lingering kiss on that same warm
cheek
"John Talbut, | should think you
were old enough to behave your
self, cried Amanda, 10 an injured
voice, as she, after a slight struggle,
freed herself from his grasp and
walked Indignantly back to the
house.
Two days passed, and Farmer
Talbut sauntered into the little sit
ting-room, where Amanda was quiet
ly sewing.
AS he looked down into her face,
he perceived that her nose and eyes
were very red, and marks of tears
were still fresh upon her plump
cheeks.
"Why, Mandy" he cried, "what
on earth is the matter ~
"Matter enough" answered Aman-
da. "I'm going to leave"
"Going to leave? Amanda, you
must be mad. Don't I pay you
wages enough?'
YES" said Amanda, ''it ism. t for
that / am going. The fact of the
matter is, | am getting to be the
town talk, and / am not going to
stand it; and the sooner leave this
place the better it will be for me-"
Overcome with surprise Farmer
Talbut sank helplessly in a chair be-
side his housekeeper.
"Town talk, Mandy" he said. Il
wish you would explain, for swear
/ don't understand you"
"Well,' said Amanda. "it's just
this. You remember the way we
tried to drive the pigs out of the
clover field p
"Rencm Der it He guessed he
did. Why, it had not been out of
his head five minutes for the whole
two days. and a smile passed over
his lips as he nodded to Amanda,
who, with her eyes bent on her work,