Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-29
CLEVER AUNT KATE,

"It amt no use in a-goin' agin your
pa, Jennie had his own way round
here continual, for more'n 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
ried life to 'jest give ill.," and her only
chance Of peace was in yielding to her
selfshly determined husband and al
lowing him to carry his point without
opposition. e e
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. It was
better, far better for her, for even after
her going there were plenty of children
to keep the miserly old farmer in 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 response
bility of housekeeping while her two un-
married sisters attended the wedding of
a 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 fork sounded
noisily as she whipped some eggs to a
froth.
Eyer sisters he'd to marry to suit him."
walled the nervous little woman, san
you'll hev to, too; ef you don't there be
awful fuses SO you'd jes better give
in"
That morning the father had spoken
to Jennie Of q young farmer, wlo1n he
termed s'likely CATCH" She had ex-
...,-----a 4 -i.>--- >-:..i,n of him in so decided
q way as to alarm Mr.. O1cott for Une'
safety of his much priced authority.
He was wont to speak of himself as
marvellous example of the patriarch.
"Make 'erl mind," he would say. "Keep
yer household beneath yer feet;' govern
'em well, an they'll git along"
Jennie's boldness in opposing his judg-
ment SO stupefied him thath 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 'sgive in" Jen-
ME 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. 81 wouldn't marry
Jordan Moggs though father should
threaten to murder me-"
The eggs were stiff now, and as she
set 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
blushing as she began softly, 'sThere is
some one in Poole like very much,
mother, and he's coming out here to-
'sHe 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
off his heavy shoes with . calmness and
deliberation which warned Mrs. Olcott
that he was thoroughly aroused. The
poor little nervous, broken spirited
woman had learned that this particu-
larly quiet and inoffensive manner of re-
moving his footgear always preceded a
burst of passion.
Hiram Olcott set his cowhide boots
by the stove to dry, kicked the jack
under the table, and, turning toward
his daughter, shouted:
"Don't let me ketch none o. yer city
fellers comm to see you. Eff they do,
I'll talk to 'em; not q word now" he
growled, shaking his long finger menac-
ingly at Jennie, as she essayed to speak.
"Tm 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. won't
hev any city fellers follerin' you; an
eff ketch yer aunt Kate maxim matches
fur you I'll jest fetch you home from
bein' fine lady down there an set you
workin'"
Before Jennie could speak he had gone
into the dining room, slamming the door
behind him.
Tears of modification and rage stood
in her brownseyes 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,
murmuring, "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 get
tin wuss and 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. and will undertake to dc
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