The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-04-07

tho children.
81 loves gramma," said little Della
one day, as she mounted her grand.
| mothers knee.
Me do, too" chimed the baby,
elm bling up beside her sister.
makes me think, Hesba," said her
husband, sudden mist dimming his
glasses, "of the times you USE to 81,
holdin' Jany an Ruth"
Hesba's eyes also grew misty. fol
there were two little graves in the far
corner of the garden: but the prattline
| children on her lap left no time fol
| "reminiscences.
do put 'em down, an let 'em muse
'emselves. You cuddle 'em too much,
fretted Miranda.
"Oh, like to have 'em round me,
said Hesba.
But Miranda frowned. "They re
gittin' NOS as bad as JASON" she
complained to herself. "They think
there's nobody like that OF woman"
But Hesba was beginning to tire OF
the new order OF things. Miranda was
an excellent housewife; she kept
everything trim and orderly, and let
| nothing go to waste; but her vigilant
ways made Hesba feel like prisoner
in her own house, and at last the meek
spirit retelled. The occasion was
Miranda's interference one morning
when Hesba had gone into the
kitchen to make cup of custard for
her hus band, dish that no one else
could make quite to the old mans
taste.
II can't indure havin' other folks
putterin' roun' my Kitchen" said the
younger woman, with marked emphasis
| on the possessive pronoun.
mo more can L. retorted Hesba,
her blue eyes flashing
But she hated wrangling, and, though
quivering with anger, she walked
away without saying anything more.
She'll find out some day who's mis-.
tress here snapped Miranda to her
self.
Jason's new business often took him
was while he was off on one of these
expeditions that Miranda improved the
opportunity to carry out long cher
ished project.
Seems to me, gran ma" she began,
warily, having joined her mother-in-
law in the sitting-room, armed with
her knitting-work, you're lookin'
kinder peaked. If rs you, I'd
take d little trip somewheres. Jason
says you've got brother Twin over in
Connecticut l should think it'd be
nice for you to go an visit him. Why
don't you, now?'
"Well, l don know. 1 never was
much of han to 60 visitin'," said
IIesba, as unconscious as baby.
And though l don't doubt Brother
William'd be glad to see us, he's got
such family of his own, should feel
as if we's imposin' on him.
Might as well impose on him as on
folks that's no relation to you" And
Miranda S needles clicked viciously.
Hcsba looked at her in wonder.
What do you mean, Mirandy? Ididn't
knows l was imposin' on any body"
Il don know what else you can call
it," said Miranda, with merciless de-
liberation. "You know well enough
GltdC UuC luC ICS Ou Vic age dill Y
ben paid for years, an Jason could
turn you out to-morrer if he wanted
to-"
Turn US OUT" repeated Hesba. ''Oh
no, Mirandy, he couldn't do that, cause
fathers to have home here as long as
he lives; he's got that down in writin'!'
YES; but you an fathers two differ
ir'
down on the paper, an Is only sayin'
what we could do if we wanted to. But
I'm expecting comp'ny from the city
next week, an 'tsoould obleege me con-
sid'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"
Go an leave father! Is that what
you mean, Mirandy?'
1t was pitiful to see how white and
tremulous she grew.
"Why, you wouldn't want to take
him with you, when your br, theirs got
such family already? What d be the
use?" said Miranda She was very
willing to have the old man stay; she
depended on him to bring all the wood
and water.
Hesba turned to the window to catch
her breath. Outside, gray clouds were
lowering and spiteful gusts were send
ing little coveys of brown leaves sour
rying through the air. But Hesba saw
only the tall. gaunt figure in the potato
patch, and, throwing a shawl over her
head, she hurried out The old man
dropped his hoe and went to meet her
IF you 60, Hesba, 60, too. you can
depend on that" he said, holly, when
she had told her trouble.
But after talking it over they de-
cided that unless Miranda herself
brought up the subject they would not
mention it again. Perhaps before the
week was out Jason would be at 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 old man walk
ing very erect, his hoe across his Shout
der and the little old wife clinging to
him like child.
81 s'pose they think they've got it all
settled" muttered the woman, but
we'll Sec"
Two days later letter came to Hes
ba from her brother.
"She's ben a-writn' to him." blurted
the old man, clenching his fist.
Hesba took no notice of the remark.
He says" she began, following the
lines slowly with her dim eyes, that
! he'd like very much to have a visit
from me, an he hopes I'll come RICH,
! away, fore col weather sets in. But
he's 'fraid I'll have 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, com.
ing in noiselessly from the kitchen, the
| door having been left ajar.
An to her goin', too, guess an
swered the old man.
ooh! you shouldn't say that, father,
! said Miranda It'll lie a real nice lit
tie trip for her, and do her lots O. good. >
The old man scowled, and thumpeo
,he floor with his cane. ''She amt 60
in to stir a step. not with my con
Sc nt," he cried. angrily.