The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-27
CLEVER AUNT KATE.

at amt No use in a-gOin' aGin yOur pa.
Jennte-he's had his own way round here
continual, for morn'n thirty years, an youth
Jest bev to give in; no use talkin' at him.
IT only makes him wuss."
Poor little Mrs. Olcott had been accus-
toned during the whole of her married life
to lest give in" and her only chance Of
peace was in yielding TO her selfshly de-
termi1ed husband and allowing him to carry
his point without opposition.
Jennie was differently constituted. She
inherited her fathers strong will, and he
had, much to his surprise, suddenly dis
covered an opposing force in his youngest
child
She had been away from home for nearly
three years-this pretty, brown haired girl
with the determined face aud graceful car
rage, and the father secretly admired and
almost feared her. A wealthy aud childless
aunt in the city had besought Jennie to
share her home, and Hiram Olcott's pretty
daughter, though ciinging to the farm, with
all its dear memories of childhood and child
hoods JOYS, chose wisely when she yielded
to her aunts request. 1t was better far
better for her. for even after her going
there were plenty of children to keep the
misery old farmer in a perpetual grumble
about money matters.
II was May and the country wore one
glad smile, and Jennie hailed with delight
the prospect Of q visit to her home, assum-
ing very willingly the responsibility of
housekeeping while her two unmarried sis
tiers attended the wedding Of 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 earthern plate while the clip, clip.
clip of fork sounded nOisllY 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; ey You don't there be awful
fuses, so you'd les better give ill.,"
That morning the father had spoken to
Jennie OF a young farmer, whom he termed
"likely catch" She had expressed her
opinion Of nm in so decided a way as 10
alarm Mr.. Olcott for the safety Of his much
priced authority.
He was wont to speak of himself as a
'em mind" he would say. Keep yer house
hold beneath yer feet; govern 'em well, an
they'll git along"
Jennie's holiness in opposing his judg-
ment SO stupefed him that his anger had
not yet had time to blaze forth; 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
II wouldn't marry Jordan Moggs though
father should threaten to murder me-"
The eggs were stiff now, aud as she set
the plate down on the table she turned
from her mother and busted herself among
the ingredients for cake baking which were
before her. Jennie was blushing as she
began softly: There is some one in Poole
mnPh ~ in
out here to" "He needn't mind comm, +"
said Farmer Olcott grinly as he stepped
quietly into the kitchen. His face wore
cunning leer, and his wind-reddened cheeks
were distorted by the sneering curves of his
hatd-lined mouth. Seating himself on one
Of the painted wooden chairs he drew the
bootjack toward him and took off his heavy
shoes with a camness and deliberation
which warned Mrs. 'OlcOtt that he was
thoroughly aroused. The poor little nerv-
Gus, brOken-spirltPd woman had learned
that this particularly quiet and inoffensive
manner OF removing his footgear always
preceded burst Of passion.
Hiram Olcott set his cowhide boots by the
stove to dry, kicked the jack under the table,
and. turning to his daughter, shouted:
Don't let me ketch none o. yer city felers
comm to see you. Eff they do III talk to
'em; not word now" he growled, shaking
bis long finger menacingly at Jennie, as she
essayed to speak. ''Pm master in my own
house, an you'll not talk till such time as
I'm done. You've been away an kinder
forgot how things is run here, but you
might as well get broke in now. / tell you
wont hev any city felers a follerin' you ;
an ef ketch your aunt Kate maxim matches
FUR you L il jest fetch you home from bein' a
fine lady down there an set you workin'."
Before Jennie could speak he had gone
into the dining-room, slamming the door be-
hind him.
Tears of modification and rage stood in
her brown eyes, and hot words leaped to
her lips, but as she glanced down at the
agonized face of the little woman beside her
the fierce mood changed. She bent to kiss
the pain drawn lips, murmurng, Never
mind, mother dear; I'll be patient for your
sake"
That's good girl, Jennie" replied Mrs.
OlcOtt. with sigh of relief. "try and git
along peaceable like, an jest give in for the
sake Of quiet Yer pas gettin' wuss aud
Wuss"
Jennie wrote partial account of what had
occurred to her Aunt Kate, and this was the
answer of that clever woman: my Dear
Niece: Your father needs managing. ana
will undertake to do it. l have written to
him to come down 10 the city and advise me
about the sale of piece of property, and
you need not be surprised at anything that
happens"
Mrs. Kate Calding was the only one in the
word VINO ever did understand her brother
Hiram. and she had planned clever little
ruse to be played on the unsuspecting farmer.
MIR. Bryan, whom Jennie had confessed to
her mother she cared great deal for, was
well suited to her. He had not yet declared
his love. but it was not unguessed by the
shrewd little maiden. To Mrs. Calding,
however, he had opened his heart, and she
bad him wait little. She knew how preju-
diced her brother was against all arrange
ments not conducted by himself, and rightly
concluded that he might put serious diff
Guilty in the way of the young people. After
satisfying herself that the name OF Jennie's
lover was quite unknown TO her b-other, she
who would be good match for Jennie. If
only the girl could be wise enough to think