The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-06-15
CLEVER AUNT KATE.

CLEVER AUNT KATE.
at amt no use in a-goin' agin your
pa, Jennie. He's had his own way
round here continual for more'n thirty
years, and 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
married life to "jest give" and her
only chance of peace was in yielding
to her seltishly determined 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, sud-
denly discovered an opposing form 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 child
hood and childhood's 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 far
mer in perpetual grumble about mo-
ney matters.
1t was May, and the country wore
one glad smile, and Jennie hailed with
delight the prospect of visit to her
home, assuming very willingly the
responsibility of housekeeping while
her two unmarried sisters attended
the wedding of cousin in distant
town.
This morning she was cooking, and
with her sleeves rolled above her ell
bows 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 froth.
Eyer sister he'd to marry to suit
him." walled the nervous little wo-
man, "an' you'll have to, too; eff you
don't, theFe--be awful fuses, SO you'd
jes' better give in"
That morning the father had spoken
to Jennie of young farmer, whom he
termed "likely catch" She had ex-
pressed her opinion of him in SO de-
| cided way as to alarm Mr.. Olcott for
the safety of his much-prized au-
| thority.
He was wont to speak of himself as
marvellous example of the patriarch.
make 'em mind" he would say.
keep your household beneath your
feet; govern m well, an they'll git
along"
Jennie's boldness in opposing his
| Judgment 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 wo-
mans appeal, but now she was re-
solved, and it was the Olcott in heI
nature which spoke.
81 wouldn't marry Jordan MoggS
| though father should threaten to mur
der me-"
The eggs were stiff now, and as she
set the plate down on the table she
turned from her mother and busiec
herself among the ingredients fol
cake baking which were before her
Jennie was blushing as she began
softly:
"There is some one in Poole 1 ik'
very much, mother, and he's coming
out here, too"
"He needn't mind comin'," said Far
mer Olcott, grimly, as he quietl.
stepped into the kitchen. His fac
wore a cunning leer, and his wind
redeemed cheeks were distorted by tn
sneering curves of his hard-line
mouth.
Seating himself on one of tn
painted wooden chairs, he drew tn
bootjack toward him and took off hi
heavy shoes with calmness and dc
liberation which warned Mrs. Olcot
that he was thoroughly aroused. Th
poor little nervous, brOken-spirite
woman had learned that this particr
larly quiet and inoffensive manner {
removing his footgear always precede
q burst of passion.
Hiram Olcott set his cowhide boot
by the stove to dry, kicked the JAG
under the table, and turning towar
his daughter, shouted:
Don't let me ketch none oyer cit
fellers comm to see you. Eff they d.
I'll talk to 'em; not word now,
B growled, shaking his long finger me
acingly at Jennie, as she essayed
speak.
"I'm master in my own house, a
!. you'll not talk until such time as L
done. You've been away, an kind
n forgot how things is run here, but y(
/ might as well get broke in now. tt
YOU | won't hev any city fellers IL
ierin' you; an if l ketch your Au
Kate maxim matches fur you pll ju
fetch you home from bein' fine la(
down there an set you workin'."
Before Jennie could speak he h
gone into the dining room, slammil
the door behind him.
Tears of modification and IA
stood in her brown eyes, and b
: words leaped to her lips, but as s
glanced down at the agonized face
the little woman beside her the tier
mood changed. She bent to kiss t
pain-drawn lips, murmuring: "NeV
mind, mother dear; I'll be patient
your sake"
That's good girl, Jennie" repli
Mrs. Olcott, with a sigh OF relief, 81
p and get along peaceably like, an
I give in for the sake of quiet. Yer P
II gettin' wuss and wuss."
l Jennie wrote a partial account
! what had occurred to her Aunt Ka
= and this was the answer of that cle'
woman:
"My Dear Niece: Your father net
managing, and I will undertake to
it. | have written to him to co
down to the city and advise me abe
the sale of piece of property, q
you need not be surprised at anyth1
that happens"
Mrs. Kate Calding was the only