Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-08-04

extra lump of butter), broiled the
took up the johnnycake and brought
to the table a plate piled high with
sweetened doughnuts-
Meanwhile the COWS ad been MIXED
and turned into the lane that led to
the breezy upland pasture Eli
strained the milk while his helper
''watered the horses" and then a
mellow call was sounded ON the tin
horn to summon the haymakers to
breakfast They came with scythes
over shoulder, for those 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,
glancing 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
heard by that woman, and you're not
called upon to make her quarrel yours"
Mrs. Brewster entered after the
preface of a knock.
sis John here?" demanded she.
''John? Why he's in the bayfield,, 1
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 Ellis hired
| him, KNOWN how he's ben actin an
| behaving"
ELI hired him because he knew he is
good hand and we need help, but not
with my consent until I was told he
must work out somewhere, having been
turned away from home"
HE want turned away from home
to find better quarters to 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.
81 suppose We know how he's ben a.
! behavin'?' inquired Mrs. Brewster.
''No, except that he intends to marry
| Mercy Lawrence"
well, land O. Goshen! amt that
enough? Mercy Lawrence! A girl
| 'thout kith or kin, or a home of any
kind, or a cent to expect from any
quarter, 'ceptin' what her own hands
earn. Teachin' deestric' school sum-
mers an winters, and yvorkin' 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 l0tted 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 is hernJ An
she's got a good watch an chain, an
She hev' no end O. feather beds an rag
carpets from her folks, not to speak O
boughten ones for the parlor an spare
bed chamber. o dear!' added she. with
despairing sigh, IT seems as eff John
was jest sot 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 millz-faced,
Slim 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 OF
with her inventory of Miss Briggs
graces and gifts.
IAN Alminy's allus a crochetin' Oh
a-tattin' or sun thin, while Mercy Law.
rence-wen. don't kno what she doc,
do. She hain't nothin' ahead, not ever
a patch quilt. I was sayin' to Mr.
Brewster this mornin', it might be {
blessin' to John to come here, for yor
know the value of calc'lation an Sae
dtstay an could show him how foolish
; he is
mo, I never meddle nor make My
father married to suit himself, and it:
pretty certain Johns father married te
suit himself both times, and I don't fee
it my duty to interfere with John. A:
Eli says, he's about old enough to be
his own man. AS for Mercy Lawrence
liked her when she taught here las
summer, and she seems to be wei
thought of, and to have plenty O
friends"
Its plain to be seen you're in sym
pathy with that girl. but eff she merrie:
John Brewster she'll git nothin' but
hired man for a husband, for his fathe
shall never give him cent O property
eff he goes and merries that shiftles
nobody. An eff You an the neighbor.
wouldn't harbor nor help him, he'd b'
glad to eat humble pie an do as w,
want to hev him"
The irate woman rose in her wratl
and continued:
''P'r'aps you like that putty face 81
well, you'U give 'em settin' ouI Meb
by you'0 give 'em home! No danger
O that but you'll take his work whes
his father needs it, an encourage hin
to make fool of himself merryin'
beggar. Lot him do it, but tell bin
never to set foot in my house, or OF
Brewster farm while I'm alive, or II
: scdEd him! An what's meant for hin
r is meant for them t harbor him!7
l And trembling with wrath the viragt
: bounced out leaving Miss Becky aston
, ished and Indignant She went abou
[ her work, her thoughts in tumult, bu
: presently sat down ito have it ou
Il L Il -