The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-08-06
TALK ON P0SSUM RIDGE.

fossum RldSe society mao no So
cial distinctions to speak of. and
though the members of the wealth.
Ter families may have held their noses
just mite elevated over their less
fortunate neigh5ors, whatever there
is in the way of amusement, be it
corn husking, log rolling, wool pick
ing, hog killing or quilting, every
body was eligible to attend, from
the postmaster and his wife down to
Sam Gilley and his wife.
So it followed as matter ofcourse
that when, one day, Mrs. Hawkins
sent little Tomm;e around to invite
the neighbor women to a wool pick
Ing on the morrow, they all gladly
accepted and came, for Mrs Hawkins
was an estimable lady, we'll worthy
of assistance; and, besides, they all
knew that she made it a point to
serve an excellent dinner on such oc-
'casiOns.
When the hands of Hawkins old
clock pointed to the hour of 10 at
least thirty women were seated
around Hawkins best room, all bus
lily engaged in picking burrs out Of
the wool, and faults out of other
peoples characters. Of course, such
important matters and branches of
industry as garden and soap making,
and early chicken Matching were dis
cussed and disposed OF the first thing,
after which came items of neighbour
ing news and gossip
Just at that time the Ridge people
were in state of considerable agita-
ton regarding the new teacher who
had lately come to "take up" the
summer school, and who was board
ing down at the Widow Martins.
The widow Martin was herself a COM
paratively new conner, and though
she and Jane, her 1S-year-old daugh-
ter, had been the theme of conversa-
ton at two or three of these social
gatherings, they had not been entire
ly disposed OF, and were still good
for several hours consideration in
committees OF the whole.
"Hev any Nv We ever seen the new
teacher" Surilda Smith asked in a
sharp voice, when there came little
lull in the hum of conversation.
Law, yes" Partheny Perkins re-
piled. "He passes ri ht by our
house every day, and once he said
good mornin' to me, "and Partheny
tossed her head up with the air of
one who knows she has a great adj
vantage, and duly appreciates it's
Importance. The others acknowl-
edged, by their looks and actions,
that they realized Partheny's ad-
vantage over themselves, and were
willing to accord her the post of
honor, though they did envy her so
much good fortune.
"They say he's rale han some,"
Surlda went on, can dresses up to
beat anything."
Eyes, he isgoodlookin'," Parthena
admitted, ''an' he does wear mighty
good clothes, but I don't think he
nigh so hanson as my cousin Lige,
who clerks in the store over at the
Forks, an know he don't wear nigh
as good clothes.''
"They say" put in Tilda Brown,
a sour tempered, sharp nosed maid
en- lady of doubtful age, ''that he is
mighty sweet to Jane Martin. though
why he should be is more than l kin
tell, when there air so many young
ladies as would make better wives"
and Miss Tilda showed unmistaka-
bly,, by her manner of expression,
that she considered herself the most
eligible young lady on the Ridge.
"Well, they may say what they
please" said Sally Huff, who was the
mother of two daughters who had
been a long time on the matrimonial
market with no takers. ''They may
say what they please, but I'll warrant
that teacher never marries Jane
Martin"
al think Mis- HuA's right" said
Surilda, "an' eff he is payin' her any
'tentions' he's jist a-doin' of it to
make a fool of her. That's my err
pinion, anyhow, an 1 don't think
time'll gainsay it,"
II dar' say, S'rildy. 1t is plain to
my mind that a young man hevin'
had Their advantages he's had
wouldn't go to payin' serious at.
tentions to a gal no more likely MOI
Jane, when they's 50 many all erroun
here, that he mi ght take his pick an
choice"
Parthena's little black eyes snap
ped in a way that said she meant
more than she spoke, for she was q
nlarriageable widow, andlooked with
no great favor on the ancient maid
ems who came in as rivals. Tilda
Brown understood Parthena's mean
ing, and Strengthening up with an all
OF offended dignity she snapped back
AN it 1nightbe added that if none
of the young ladies didn't come up te
his standard he might go further
an find wilder to his likin'."
"Now, come" commanded Surilda
eve hain't a-goin' to have no bat
feelin's stirred up ermong us, SO yol
twohad as we'll quiet down. Nomat
ter who the teacher may or may mo-
marry it's plain to me that he dom
never intend to marry Jane Martin