Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-02-09
A PIKETOWN ROMANCE.

FCiy p'SCfiotis
I, He badgered and bullied all who came
within hearing Of his stentorian voice
from his youngest daughter Martha &c
his meek. pale faced old wife.
He found fault with his one hired man
to such an extent that the latter '.quit,
leaving the pillow in the furrow in the
back lot. and went in search of place
where, as he expressed it. he could
'chaw his hash in peace. an not be
cussed at whenever he went in ear shot
Of the house."
The hired man had not been rapid
worker, and as Peter had been ailing for
weeks his farm work was in q very
backward and chaotic condition.
The blowing was no more than half
done, the potatoes were not planted, the
corn ground was not fitted" and it was
already the middle Of May.
The farm hands for miles around had
all secured situations. and had been at
work for weeks. There was not one to
be had for love or money.
1t looked as though Peter Cummins
would have to worry through the season
as best no could without hired man.
Under the circumstances Peter did not
improve either In health or temper
"Drat the rhenmatizle cried he. "lf
could only git about I'd hitch up ole
Jerry an drive till J found hired man
AN one good for suthin', too. But
here am tied down--bound an gagged
with this pesky rheumatic. Ow. WOW.
wowl wot n tinge tibet air was"
Although Peter was. in n certain
sense. bound to his chair. he was very
far from stating the truth when he said
he was gagged. us his wife, his daugh-
tiers and every chance passerby could
have testified.
Although blowing and planting were
at stanistill on the farm the dairy
work went on rs briskly as ever, with
Miss Susan Cummins as general man.
ager and Miss Martha an able assistant
Theseventeen cows were MIXED bright
and early every morning: the milk was
''set" in large. shallow pans, and the
cream. ut the proper time. was churned,
sailed and worked" into the sweetest Of
golden butter.
This was not considered hard work by
tine tall. broad shouldered. rosy checked,
blue eyed. fiaxen haired Susan. who ut 10
years OF age was as strong, healthy and
cheerful as girl well could he.
Martha, two years younger, although
equally az light hearted ~ her sister, was
different In many ways. She resembled
her mother. who, when gal" as she
often told her daughters, WAS considered
great beauty.
Martha had inherited her mothers coal
black hair and eyes, creamy complexion
pretty, and not farmer boy for miles
around but loved the ground she walked
on--especially when she lightly tripped
over a portion of her fathers fertile soil.
The Cummins homestead would have
teen fairly overrnn with admirers of the
two girls flor there were many who
liked the robust Susan's style OF beauty
but for ono thing. They one and all had
a wholesome fear and dread of Peters
rasping, ear piercing foghorn voice. He
also, when not down with rheumatic"
welded with much dexterity and ac-
curacy No. 10 cowhide boot.
SO, because Of the voice and the boot,
the girls, though greatly admired, had
no steady company.
The nearest approach to 1t was the
three calls Hiram Stubs had made on
Susan.
On his first visit Hiram was very
anxious, apparently. to secure Peters
advice as to what no had better do with
his mine acre lot--seed it down or plant
1t ag'in."
Peter, being In n cheerful mood, for a
wonder. expatiated and dwelt on the de-
ightful subject ut such great length,
and Hiram, to propitiate him, gave him
such marked and undivided attention,
that Susan remained unnoticed. save at
such rare intervals rs Peter went to the
door to expectorate. On these occa-
sions Hiram rolled prominent pewter
J eye toward the damsel. and made hur.
ried and whispered observation ON the
! state of the weather or solicitously In.
quired as to her health.
The youths second visit, ostensibly fol
the purpose OF procuring a recipe for 9
SPAWN liniment. passed off In much the
same way.
When Hiram, in his store clothes, pre-
sented himself mt the kitchen door of the
| uoHitSitttu LOT tuc tttlfu titi1t
there was n GOODNESS in tho reception
rendered him by the old husbandmau
that should have warned him OF break
ers ahead.
| Peter. being tired and cross, retired
/ early. and the young man. not to lose
any precious time, ut once commenced
edging his chair toward the blushing
and expeetant damsel.
! He reached her side as soon as could
DO expected under the circumstances,
and had just succeeded in partially sur
rounding her buxom form with an arm
by no means too long. when the two
were thrown apart as by an electric
shock. They had heard the following
words, uttered in a tone of voice that
could be heard full mile:
Hi, there, Susanl Send tibet air tow
headed fool hum, an mog your boots
tew bed. Dew ye hearY''
II was well understood that when Peter
said n thing he meant it. He was not
only handy with his No. 10 boots, but
was very muscular man and a noted
rough and tumble" wrestler.
In fact Peter stated no more than the
truth when he said:
II kin down anything within ten mile
in Piketown, with one exception-thet's
the rheumatic"
He was also great worker. being able