South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1893-09-28


the widows chair in the rude cabin.
'There has been but one thing to
do 80 far. " she answered. .It was bet
ter to help those needing comforts
worse than ourselves than to get in the
wheat"
$50 You have told us; but we have
worked for Mr.. Clark all summer
nearly, md I don't think we ought to
do any more for our neighbor. He con
pay US nothing and seems to expect us
to continue"
Clark, the lame renter on the adj
joining section, had been ill a great
deal, and Mrs. Hawlcy had urged her
boys to assist him with his herdine
and farming. Joe's advice, however,
won, and the next morning the Hawley
boys pitched the heavy bundles of
wheat on their own field throughout
the drowsy August hours. They worked
slowly, and the grain ratified to the
ground from every sheaf as they lifted
it to the wagon.
I'm ashamed to be working at this
job 80 late in the season." said Joe,
stopping moment.
Gregg looked down from the wagon.
"Well, how was we to do it sooner ?
We had to help Clark, and mothers
been 30 miserable"
81 know it; but it does look awful
back-handed to see the wheat shocks
a-standing in the field from July until
most Septelnber-it1l be that to-
morrow. Besides look at the grain
we're wasting" as another shower of
kernels ratified down when he went on
with his work.
1t was discouraging-twenty acres
OF grain ahead Of them and ikeli-
hood of the end of the dry weather
any day. BY noon two shambling
loads had been added to the badly
shaped stack which they had begun a
month before. By night the boys
were wearied out and had broken one
of their decrepit forks.
THAT means trip to the store, "
said Joe; and after supper they
started.
81 hope Clark won't call u.s." re-
marked Gregg, as the neighboring
cabin came in sight.
"Well, you know he was awful good
to father before-before he died"
Joe gulped down n sob.
1t was indeed debt of kindness to
the friend of their departed father
that they had been paying. Their
mother realized it, if they did not,
and knew what the men had been to
each other as comrades in the war.
There was no call to them Us thew
passed the cabin, but their quick ear
caught the sound of moan.
'1t's Clark" exclaimed Joe. "Lot's
see what's the matter"
They approached the door; it was
locked. Stout shoulders burst the
slender fastenings. There on his lone
some bed was Clark, crying almost
like child with distress. They could
catch enough of the old mans story to
learn that his daughter Ind gone to
the next county to visit, and that he
had been very i'll since tho night be-
fore.
"You go for doctor, Gregg" were
Joe's orders; and tie younger lad hur-
ried away through the night while the
other endeaTored to make his patient
easier.
Around the store in tho station
agents Office the committee was ar
ranging for the observance of the ap-
preaching Labor Day. The town of
Chapman had read the Governors
proclamation and proposed to make of
the occasion time of rejoicing. There
w:s to be procession, picnic din
ner, speeches, music and other attrac-
lions. Every settler and every towns
man was to be called on to contribute
to tho celebration. The committee
had nearly completed the list of resi-
dents, when Merser, the station agent
called the name of Haw1ey.
"The Hawleys can't drive in any
procession that I MANAGE" said Blake,
who was to be marshal of the day.
what have you got against 'em?"
meekly inquired the postmaster.
Blake glared ut the little group from
beneath very savage gray eyebrows.
His fierce glances were most lost in
the gloom, but his words we're not.
we don't want nobody in the parade
that can't drive decent rig an thst
can't keep their place 1ookin' respect.
able-that's why object to 'em.''
ooh, we'll, those boys and their
mother have hard time" replied the
postmaster.
"Since their father died last spring
or was it winter?-they've been buy
ing potatoes by the quarters WORTH"
put in the other committeeman, Pier
son, the storekeeper and I know they
don't have provisions enough to last
sixty hours at time"
81 amt sure they want to drive in
the procession" remarked the post
master, slowly. "When we asked for
volunteers Mrs. Hawley sent word she
would send tho flag her husband car
r1ed in the war, but didn't say any
thing about givin' team"
"Well, we don't want 'em, anyhow"
persisted the obstinate Blake; "my
chief reason is
What his reason was never was
known, for with olangor and screeoh
the IL o'clock express came rumbling
by, and Blake ran to the platform to
put aboard the mail and speak to the
conductor.
The long line Of lighted coach win
dows glided past the heavy Pullman
cars with lamps turned low, that the