The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-05-06
TALK ON P0SSUM RIDGE.

tinctions to speak of, and though the
members of the Weather families may
have held their noses just a mite elevated
over their less fortunate neighbors, what
ever there is in the way of amusement,
be it corn huskng, log rolling, wool pick
ing, hog killing or quilting, everybody
was eligible to attend, from the post
master and his wife down to Sam Gilley
and his wife
So it followed as a matter of course
that when, one day, Mrs Hawkins sent
little Tommie around to invite the neigh
Dor women TO wool picking on the NOR
row, they all gladly accepted and came,
for Mrs. Hawkins was an estimabe lady,
well worthy of assistance; and. besides,
they all knew that she made it point to
serve an excellent dinner on such oc-
casions.
When the hands of Hawkins old clock
pointed to the hour of 10 at least thirty
women were seated around Hawkins
best room. all busily engaged in picking
4
other peoples characters OF course.
such important matters and branches of
industry as garden and soap making,
and early chicken Matching were dis
cussed and disposed of the first thing.
after which came items of neighboring
news and gossip.
just at that time the Ridge people
/ A. -.
regarding the new teacher who had late
! ly come to take up" the summer school,
and who was boarding down at the Wild
ow Martins. The widow Martin was
herself a comparatively new conner, and
though she and Jane, her lS-year-old
daughter, had been the theme Of CONVEX
sation at two or three of these social
gatherings. they had not been entirely
disposed of, and were still good for sew
eral hours consideration in committees
of the whole.
"Hev any NV We ever seen the new
teacher Surilda Smith asked in sharp
voice, when there came lf8ti8 luI in tile
hum of conversation.
Law, yes, Partheny Perkins replied
"He passes right by our house every day
an once he said good mornin to me"
and Partheny tossed her head up with
the air Of one who knows she has great
advantage, and duly appreciates its inn
portance The others acknowledged. by
their looks and actions, that they realized
| Partheny's advantage over themselves,
and were willing TO accord her the post
of honor, though they did envy her so
much good fortune.
"They say he's rale han'some, Surilda
went on, IAN dresses up to beat any
thing
Yes, he is good lookin',' Parthena adj
mitted, ian he does wear mighty good
clothes, but | don't think he nigh so
han some as my cousin Lige. who clerks
in the store over at the Forks, an know
he don't wear nigh as good clothes.
"'rhey say" put in Tilda Brown, a sour
tempered, sharp nosed maiden lady of
doubtful age, that he is mighty sweet
to Jane Martin though why he should be
is more than kin tell, when there air so
many young ladies as would make better
wives" and Miss Tilda showed unmis-
takably, 10y her manner Of expression,
that she considered herself the most eligi-
BILE young lady on the Ridge.
''Well, they may say what they please, "
said Sally HUFF who was the mother of
two daughters who had been long time
on the matrimonial market with no tax
ers. They may say what they please,
but I'll warrant that teacher never mar
ries Jane Martin
II tbit.Iy ME- IT., fT5s
Ida, ''an' eff he is payin' her any ten
tions, he's jist a-doin' Of ii to make fool
of her. sIhats my erpinion, anyhow, an
don't think time II gainsay it,"
Il dar say not, S'rildy. It's plain e
my mind that young man, hevin' had
ther advantages he's had, wouldn't go tc
payin' serious attentions to gal no more
likely nor Jane, when theys so many all
erroun' here. that he might take his pick
an choice"
Parthena's little black eyes snapped in
way that said she meant more than she
spoke, for she was a manageable wild.
ow, and looked with no great favor on
the ancient maidens who came in as ri.
walls. Tilda Brown understood Parthe.
mas meaning, and Strengthening up with
an air of offended dignity she snapped
back:
"An' it might be added that if none OF
the young ladies didn't come up to his
standard he might go further, en- find a
wilder to his Iikin."
CHOW, come" commanded Surilda,
1--WE hain't a-goin' to have no bad feelin's
stirred up ermong us, so you two had as
well quiet down. No. matter who the