The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-04-16
CLEVER AUNT KATE.

here continual, for mOren thirty years,
an you'll. jest hev to give in; no use
talkin' at him. IT only makes him wuss."
Poor little Mrs. Olcott had been ac-
customed during the whole of her mar
ned life to ''jest give in" and her only
chance of peace was in yielding to her
selfshly determined 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 in
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. A
wealthy and childless aunt in the city
had besought Jennie to share her home,
and Hiram Olcott's pretty daughter,
though clinging to the farm, with all its
dear memories of childhood and child
hoods joys, chose wisely when she
yielded to her aunt's request. 1t was
better, far better for her, for even after
her going there were plenty of children
to keep the miserly old farmer in a per
petual grumble about money matters.
1t was May and the country wore one
glad smile, and Jennie hailed with de-
light the prospect of visit to her home,
assuming very willingly the responsi-
bility of housekeeping while her two un-
married sisters 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 earthen plate while
the clip, clip, clip of a fork sounded
1oisily as she whipped some eggs to a
froth.
Eyer sisters he'd to marry to suit him,
walled the nervous little woman, IAN
you'll hev to, too; eff you don't there be
awful fuses. so you'd jes better give
I'M a.r,-.rs
That morning the father had spoken
to Jennie of young farmer, whom he
termed ''hkely catch" She had ex-
pressed her opinion of him in so decided
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 'era mind, y he would say. Keep
yer household beneath yer feet: govern
'em well, an they'll git along 3s.
Jennie's boldness in opposing his judg
nent 50 stupefied 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. $ Jen-
ME had beer very thoughtful during the
little woman's appeal, but now. she was
resolved, and it was the Olcott in her
nature which spoke. '.I wouldn' marry
Jordan Moggs though father should
threaten to murder me-"
j. The eggs were stiff now, and as she
net the plate down on the table she
turned from her mother and busted her
self among the ingredients for cake bak-
ing which were before her. Jennie was
bfushing as she began. softly, There is
some one in Poole l like very much,
napther, and he's coming out here to-
-tHe needn't mind COMM" said Farmer
Olcott grimly as he stepped quietly into
the kitchen. His face wore cunning
leer, and his wind Redeemed cheeks were
distorted by the sneering curves of his
hard lined mouth. Seating himself on
one, of the painted wooden chairs, he
drew the bootjack toward him and took
OF his heavy shoes with calmness and
aeliberatioa which warned Mrs. Olcott
that he was thoroughly aroused. The
poor little nervous, broken spirited
woman had learned that this particu
larly quiet and inofensive manner of re
moving his footgear always preceded g
burst of passion.
Hiram Olcott set his cowhide boot
by the stove to dry, kicked the jacl
under the table, and, turning toward
his daughter, shouted:
Don't let me ketch none o. yer city
feIlers comm to see you. Eff they do
I'll talk to 'em; not a word now h,
erowled, shaking his long finger menac
ingly at Jennie, as she essayed TO speak
I'm master in my own house, an you'll
mot talk till such time as rm done
You've been away an kinder forgot how
things is run here, but you might as wei
get broke in now. tell you i won
hev any city feIlers follerin' you; an
eft ketch yer aunt Kate maxim matche
fur you I'll jest fetch you home from
bein' a fine lady down there an set yol
Workin," \ i se,f ~ -.sss L.
Before Jennie could speak he had gon
into the dining room, slaznming the doc
behind him. "s - = a - - I
Tears of modification and rage stoo,
in her brown eyes and hot lwords 1eape'
70 her lips, but as she glanced down a
the agonized face of the little woma,
beside her the fierce mood changed
She bent to kiss the pain drawn lips
murmuring, I. Never mind, mother dear
IN be patient for your sake"
That's good girl. Jennie, Z replie
Ars- Olcott, with a.sigh of relief, t.tr
and git along peaceable like, an jest Civ
In for the sake of quiet. Yer pas gel
tim wuss and wuss.n
Jennie wrote a partial account of lwha
lad occurred to herr Aunt Kate, and thi
was the answer of that clever woman