Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-12-23
HER SISTER NELL.

When Tom Norton and his wife
came from the North to the prairies
OF Southwestern Louisiana 10 try rice
farming they brought each their most
cherished possessions.
Toms consisted. for tho most part
OF varied and interesting collection
Of theories.
He brought ALSO vey respecta.
BILE financial backing and a fund OF
good. practical common sense. These
saved him from collapse when he saw
his theories knocked out by TIE hard
facts Of his new life.
Mrs. Nate brought her etchingS
her water colOrs her jars. vases rugs
and draperies She had rather
worse time arranging these in a
Cadian house than Tom had with his
theories. which is saying u good deal.
Both succeeded fairly well however
and at the beginning OF the second
summer their house had become the
rendezvous OF the boys" lot OF
young fellows from various Northern
states most OF them like Tom. rice
planters. Their home was at present
board shanty set in the midst OF
far-stretching rice fields where they
kept house for themselves after the
manner OF men unmatched OF women.
Small wonder they found at Tom a
! pleasant respite.
| John McRao whose rice fiat was
over on Bayou Nel Pique. caiue often
est and stayed longest He was older
/ than the rest and quieter.
| He had dined with them. one
, breathless noon. and aiterward cross.
, ed to the parlor. which Kate had a
trick OF keeping cool and shady in
the hottest weather. Kate filled the
pipes; Tom took the sofa and Mac
stretched in most omfortable chair
smoked a while in silence.
| You re a decent sort OF fellow.
Tom" he said at length. and don I
envy you thing but this with a
comprehensive wave OF his hand
isn't exactly calculated to make one
enthusiastic over Black Jim's house.
keeping"
This included the excellent din
ner Just eaten. tho cool shade OF the
| pleasant room and Kate herself In a
most becoming gown.
Well then. why don't you do as
l did marry your best girl and bring
her down here to look after yOu?'
queried Tom 80
| Mac pulled away awhile before he
answered. l haven't any best girl
| l mad one once-a nice, sensible
girl
Il hate nice sensible girls )" in.
terrupted Kate; but Mac went calml y
on:
Father died when l was just out
! OF school and left me with mother
four children and Il mortgage to look
after. laid the case plainly before
my girl told her there was bound to
be hard work; but that | knew
could pull through. and if she wanted
TO take hold and help all right. n
not. say so--and Good bye. sweet.
heart.
She wrote me the incest kind OF a
letter, said she couldn't think o.
coming between me and my duty tC
my family; but she should always.
etc. But 1t was Goo l-bye' all right
enough. | told you she was sensible, ;
he exclaimed.
Here Kate smiled CONTEMPORARY.
But even that failed to interrupt the
even tenor Of Macs tale.
so | went to wo * alone. and by
George how | did work! But
pulled through at last as | knew
would; paid the mortgage. educated
tho children and provided fo
mother" All this was delivered be
tween the putfs of Macs pipe in hi
usual quiet tone. without IA trace o
emotion on his thin face. and from
first 10 last his amusel smile did no
vary.
lie re6lled his pipe and concluded
as If done with the subject:
My folks have got out OF the b alb i
OF thinking OF me as marrying man
and reckon, as they say here
they re about right"
That was all right so long a
there was the mortgage the mothe
and the children to be considered. blu
now" and Kate paused suggest
lively.
no call to be dawdling here. Carter
told me this morning that the twin
levees were seeping badly. Pve got
TO hold up all my water if make
crop so | came into the Magnoli,
saloon for something to sharpen vi
the shovels."
He paused by one OF the tables ant
took up n picture which lay there. !
was a bright-faced girl with an air o
spirited selfrcliance.
Now. that's "a nice girl" Ma
answered after Il moments examinu
tion of the picture.
She just is.' said Kate. emphatic
ally. Its my sister, Nell. She
nice bu. not nice and sensible lik
your stick OF girl"
Think notrr and Mac continue,
TO give tho picture the same careful
scrutiny he was won't TO bestow upol
seeping levee or clogged pump.
NO indeed" replied Kate. Il
there was hard work to be done. Mel
would 60 at it with all the energy sh,
devotes nowadays to having a goo,
time"
That would knock n harder io1
than yours silly Mac" and Ton
laughed.
Well II you don't believe me. jus
60 and see my sister Nell Mr.. job,
Mackae," said Kate with great dig
uity.
THAT sounds alluring but I'm to-
aged to run any risks. Before | d,