The Somerset reporter., 1891-09-03
SELECTED.
TAKEN UPON TRIAL

L lbub.
whats as true as tsxes?" asked Err,
Elton, who lived on the farm across th'
creek
Why, that one-half the world Ii
bound nilly. willy to bear the burdens OF
the other half! - sighed the deacon.
Ezra shifted his tobacco from one side
of his face to the other.
"Wsl, as a gin'ral thing said he, "a
calculate your right. But don't see how
it its your particular case
Don't yep The deacon gave sig
niticant sniil. Here have lived bach
elder life all my days, because was par
tial to peace and quietness, and didn't
want no extra care and trouble, and jest
when | want to be peaceablest there
co es one of those new-fangled telegraph
dispatches from York city that my broth
er john and his wife are both dead, and
that my three nicces would take 1t very
kind II they could come out here and live
with me-"
"p'raps the've got means to live on.
mo, they hain't," said the deacon
M OF a red cent"
wal, | swan !" calculated Mr.. Elton.
"Jest what think myself said the
deacon, ruefuiy.
"Ain't goin' to consent are yer
The deacon established himself more
firmly on the old stone wall which inter.
posed between the highway and patch
of spring woods, all gay with dogwood
blossoms and fresh young leaves.
well, yes, be and | amt. Sounds
like parallels, don't itI But Pm talkin
sober sense. I've writ to the lawyer that
is wiudin up Brother Johns affairs, and
told him to send the girls on. | writ that
II take EN- for a months visit, and al
the end o. that time I'd decide which OF
the three to keep. The other two must
scratch for themselves. Amt no use IN
my supporting three grown women in i'd
lene.s | can make one nseful in keepn'
house for me. But don't see my way
clear to supportin' the three of EN-
And what be you gon' to do with Je-
mira Willett?" a. ked Elton.
shes goin' to the new factory to
work. Her brother is cutter there, aud
he's told her of vacancy in the ironin'
room"
Gals is a nuisance" observed Ira
eff Il fresh piece of tobacco
with his pocket knife.
II guess you're about right said thu
deacon.
And while Deacon Prout, in the bland
sunshine of the Ohio sping, wss lament
ing his evil fate, Brother Johns" three
daughters down in New York We're harp
ing GA the same string.
The country sighed Mamie Prout
and l always hated the country !"
An old bachelor, too said Isabel
Papa always called him an original
detest originals, don't your
Hester screwed her bonny pink and
white face into dimpled knot.
ut will be grand joke" said she. 81
can get no end of material for the move
Pm going to write. Ishall make spec
iality of Western dislect."
81 suppose we must CO." said Isabel
And Mamie dolorously remarked that
"they did not seem to have much choice
left
IF dear papa had only lived to see
that last investment through said Hes
ter, I'VE should have been heresses."
Isabel shook her smooth, silky head.
Papa was always building castles In
the air !" sighed she.
Deacon Prout received the three girls
with stiff civility, told them that they
were welcome, and put each OF them III
charge of some one particular department
of Buckeye Farm.
Isabel was to be housekeeper, Hester
dairymaid, aud Neunie to take charge OF
the poultry.
But, uncle" protested Isabel iva
don't know anything about poultry rais-
ing nor cooking nor butter making"
II want TO know" said the deacon,
what sort o way hev ye been brung
up?'
III you have q piano." suggested Nsu
ME, Il have particularly studied Chopin
and Schumsnn."
81 can sketch quite accurately from
nature, remarked Isabel.
And l." said Hester valiently, "have
bad poem accepted by the Aboriginal
Magazine"
Deacon Prout rolled his cold gray eyes
from one 10 another Of the speakers.
IAN that amt nothlu practical" said
he. Il hain't no use here for music, nor
picters, nor poetry
And he stalked over to the barn, leav
ing his three nieces looking despairingly
at one another.
In the kitchen old Jemima Willett
maliciously chuckled as she clatlered
among the pots and pans, for the factory
engagement didn't begin until the mex
week.
Il guess | shan't be out Of situation
long" said she, to herself. There anu
notbin solid nor substantial about these
gals"
Isabel proceeded straight to the gen
eral store in the village, and bought a
cookery book. Hester and Mamie went
INTO the nearest house, and took counsel
with the tutelary genius there upon the
subject of cows and Bramah Pootra
fowls.
"You see," said they, to Mrs. Squire
Sedley's great amusement, we've got to
vindicate ourselves"
whats this?" said the deacon, coming
N to dinner the second day, and smiling
IN a savory and unusual odor.
"Creamed chicken, uncle, said Isabel,
and spaghette smothered in tomato
sauce"
Old Jemima sat bv frowning.
Il amt one to believe in new-fangled
trash" said she.
And nothing would induce her to take
some of the food.
The deacon was lighting his pipe for
An afterdinner smoke on the back piazza,
when he soft sound of an OLE fashioned
ballad, accompanied by the pisno, reached
bis ears.
well, declare" said he, az that
amt Annie La rie!' Who's that sing
m? Aud where did she git the PLAINLY
forty?"
Isabel came out with half wiped tea
saucer In her hand
ITS our Man," said she, trinmphantly
Hasn't she got q sweet soprano voice'
The piano? Why Joe Sedley brought 1t
over this morning, Mr.. Sedley Is quite
about her musical abilities"
"Humph!" said the deacon. How
much do the trustees calculate to pay, p
"A hundred and fifty dollars a year.
Isabel answered. "And Nan can clothe
herself nicely out OF that sum, seeing
hat we all cut and make our own war l.
.obes.'
"Humph !" again commented the dea-
con. II wonder II she can play this ERE
4une2 My father used to sing 1t when l
was . boy"
And he began to whistle after some.
what awksrd fashion.
"Oh." cried Isabel CHATS 'Brlgnal
Bank" or sourse she can play it-and
sing II, tool"
And within Ave minutes the deacon,
leaving bis forgotten pipe on the piszza
rail. was listening TO the old refrain Of