The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-03-25

so soon managed to get entire control OF
the kitchen that the deposed housewife.
missing the homely cares that for SO
many years had occupied her hands and
thoughts, would have been in a sad
strait had it not been for the children.
81 loves gramma," said little Della
one day, as she mounted her grandmoth-
! er's knee S
"Me do, too" chimed the baby.
ciambering up beside her sister.
"Makes me think, Hesba," said her
husband, sudden mist dimming his
glasses, cot the times you USE to sie
holdin' Jany an Ruth"
Hesbas eyes also grew misty, for there
were two little graves in the far corner
of the garden; but the prattling children
ON her lap left her no time for reminis-
ccnce.
''Do put 'em down, an let 'em muse
'cmselvss. You coddle 'em too much, F"
fretted Miranda.
ooh, like to have 'em round me, {"
said Hesba.
But Miranda fiowned. "They're git
tin mos as bad as JASON" she COM
planned to herself. "They think there's
nobody like that OIL woman"
Jason's new business often took him
from home for weeks at time, and it
was while he was off on one of these
expeditions that Miranda improved the
opportunity to carry out long cher.
ishcd project.
''Seelns to me, gran'm she began,
warily, having joined her mother-in-law
in the sitting room, armed with her
knitting work, 'you're lookin' kinder
peaked. IL Is you, I'd take little
trip somcwheres. Jason says you've got
n brother livin' over in Connecticut. l
should think it ID be nice for you to go
an visit him. Why don't you, now?"
"Wcll, l don know. never was
muck of a han to go visitin'," said
Itesba, as uususpicous as baby. "And
though l don't doubt brother William
ID be glad to see us; he's got such a
family of his own, should feel as if
we's inposin on him."
might as we'll impose on him as on
folks that's no relation to you" And
Mranda's needles clicked viciously.
Hesba looked at her in wonder.
"What do you mean, Miraudy. I didn't
knows was imposin' on anybody"
81 don know what else you can call
it, said Miranda, with merciless delibera-
tion. "You know we'll enough that the
int'res' on the mortgage 'ain't ben paid
Tor years, au' Jason could turn you out
to-morrer if he wanted to-"
"Turn us out!' repeated Hesba. "Oh
no, Mlrandy, he couldn't do that, cause
fathers to have a home here as long as
he lives; he's got that down in writin'l"
EYES; but you au' fathers two diff
fercnt persons. Your name amt put
down on the paper, an is on'y sayin'
what We could do if we wanted to. But
I'm cxpcctin' comp'ny from the city next
week, 'twould obleege me consid 'rable if
you'd JUS go over to your brothers. an
stay spell, cause while you's away
father could sleep on the cot in the hall
bedroom
$50 an leave fatherl Is that what
you mean, Mirandy2"
at was pititul to see how white and
tremulous she grew.
"Why, you wouldn't want to tax. linn
with you wheu your brothers got such
family already9 What'd be the use7n
said Miranda. She was very willing to
have the old man stay; she depend I'd on
him to bring all the wood aud water.
Hesba tlrned to the window to catch
her breath. Outside, gray clouds were
lowering, and spite(ul gusts were sending
little coveys Of brown leaves scurrying
through the air. But Hesba saw only
the tall gaunt figure in the potato patch,
and throwing shawl over her head she
hurried ou.. The old man dropped hii
noe and went to meet her.
"lt you go, Hesba, go too, you can
depend on that" he said hotly, when she
haG told her trouble.
But after talking it over, they decided
that unless Miranda herself brought ur
the subject they would not mention il
again. Perhaps before the week wa:
out Jason would be home. And by.
and-by Miranda, who had taken Hesba's
place at the window, saw them coming
up from the potato patch hand in hand.
the oln man walking very erect, his hoe
across his shoulder, and the little old
wife cinging to him like a child.
81 s'pose they think they've got it all
settled muttered the woman; "but,
| we'll sec."
Two days later a letter came to Hesba
from her brother.
"She's ben writin' to him." blurted
the old man, clinching his fist.
IIesba took no notice of the remark.
"Hc says" she began, following the
lines slowly with her dim eyes, "that
he'd like very much to have visit from
me, al he hopes I'll come right away,
fore cold weather sets in. But he's
'frnid I'll nave to put up with sleepin
with one o the children, they're so short
O. room"
"Then O. course that puts an end to
fathers goin'," SAID Miranda, coming in
noiselessly from the kitchen, the door
having been lett ajar.
can to her goin', too, guess" an.
swcred the old man.
"Oh, you shouldn't say that, father"
said Miranda. "It I'll be real nice lit
tic trip for her, and do her lots o. good" /"
The old man scowled, aud thumpcd
the ioor with his cane. "She amt 90.
in to stir step, not with my consent, F."
he cried, angrily.
Sh-sh, father" whisper his wife.