The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1892-08-18

over shoulder, Tor tnOSe utensils must
be sharpened at the grindstone under
the black cherry tree at the brookside
before the men returned to the field
Breakfast was over, the house put to
rights in the thorough New England
way, the baking done, the dinner of
baked beans. brown bread and Indian
meal pudding well under way, when,
CHANGING from the window, Miss Becky
saw Mrs. Brewster entering the side
gate She nerved herself for the inn
pending interview by saying:
Now, Rebecca Warner, do you mind
Your. own business! Reason won't be
that woman, and you're not
called upon to make her quarrel yours"
Mrs Brewster entered after the
preface of knock.
as John here2" demanded she.
John? Why he's in the bayfield,,
expect. He came and wanted to hire
out for haying, and Eli was glad to get
him."
Mrs. Brewster seated herself, but
there was fire In her eye.
''Ye don't mean to say Els hired
him, KNOWN how he's ben actin an
behavin'2'
ELI hired him because he knew he is
a good hand and we need help, but not
with my consent until l was told he
must work out somewhere, having been
turned away from home"
''He WANT turned away from home
to find better quarters to a neighbours,
but to discipline him. We felt obleeged
to turn him out to shift for himself till
he'd know how to 'preciate good
home, an be willin' to be advised by
them t ort to know what's best for
him.
Miss Becky held herself from reply
ing. skgN
II suppose we know how he's ben a
behavin'?'f inquired Mrs. Brewster.
''No, except that he intends to marry
Mercy gLa4Erence."
well, land o. Goshen! amt that
enough? Mercy Lawrence! "A girl
'thoutelsith or kin, ort-a home Of any,
kind, Dr. cent to expect from any
quarter, ceptin' what her own hands
earn. Teachin' deestric' school sum-
mers an winters, and worlsin' for her
board tween times. Mercy Lawrence
and Mrs. Brewster famed herself Wig
orously in her disquiet at the situation,
and then continued.
AN John might hev' his pick of all
the girls in town, or, for that matter,
in the county. There's Alminy Briggs
that's jest lotted on havin' of him, an
see the settin' out she'd git on her we'd
din day! She's got chists full O. things
all trimmed up with tattin' an rick
rack an crochet trimmin'-an' that cab
met organ to Briggses lis hern! An
she's got good watch an chain, an
she hev' no end % feather beds an rag
carpets from her folks, not to speak o
boughten ones for the parlor an spare
bed chamber. o dear!a added she, with
despairing sigh, Tsseems as eff John
was jest sgt on, goin' down hill when he
might go up!'
"Perhaps John thinks more about
the girl than her possessions" said Miss
Becky
'.Supposin' he does! Jest compare
them two girls! That ere millx-faced,
built Mercy, an then - Alminy
Briggs Why Alminy Briggs cheeks
are like two pineys-'
''And her hair like bunch of orange
carrots" mentally commented Miss
Becky, while Mrs. Brewster went on
with her inventory of Miss Briggs
graces and gifts.
AN Alminy's allus a crochetin' or
a-tattin' or sun thin, while Mercy Law
rence-well, don't kno w what she docs
do. She hain't nothin' ahead, not even
a patch quilt. / was sayin' to Mr..
Brewster this mornin', it might be a
blessin' to John to come here, for you
know the value of calc'l2tion an IN
dustry an could show him how foolish
khetis,'' --- I --.--,,.--3f
,fsNo,I never NEEDLE nor make My
father married to suit himself, and it's
pretty certain Johns father married to
suit himself, both times, and i don't feel
it my duty to interfere with John. AS
Eli says, he's about old enough to be
his own man. As for Mercy Lawrence,
! liked her when she taught here last
summer, and she seems to be we'll
thought of, and to have plenty of
friends"
"It's plain to be seen you're in SYM
pathy with that girl. but eff she merries
John Brewster she'll git nothin' but a
hired man for husband for his father
shall never give him a cent o. property
eff he goes and merries that shiftless
nobody. An eff you an the, neighbors
| wouldn't harbor nor help him, he'd be
glad to eat humble pie an do as we
want to hev him."
| The irate woman rose in her wrath
| and continued:
"P'r'aps you like that putty face so
well, you'H give 'em settin' out! Meb-
by you'll give 'em a home! No danger
o. that. but you'll take his work when
his father needs it, an encourage him
4 to make fool of himself merryin' a
beggarl Let him do it, but tell him
never to set foot in my house, or on
! Brewster farm while I'm alive, or I'll
scald himl An what's meant for him
is meant for them t harbor himl"
! And trembling with wrath the virago
bounced out, leaving Miss Becky aston
ished and indignant. She went about
her work. her thoughts in tumult, but
/ presently sat down Ito have 1t out
with herself" as she would have said.
| .sWen, l never" she ejaculated; land
that's the woman John Brewster mar
ried. and that's the mother young John
has had since he was fifteen years old!
Poor boyl OF course I'll hire him, and
| of course III 'harbor' him. Amy
Brewster's boy shall not go homeless
nor friendless either, If it comes to that. I"
Her thoughts took another channel
and she continued:
"Almiry Briggs, with her trimming
i and her fol-de-rolsi OF course she has