The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-24
NANCY'S WAGES.
How Uncle Peter Came TO Know
Her True Worth.

We i1ctO SuSh q S4Sbt " oSec&>sN
have to wait a spell now till the hired
men have bad their dinner"
She blew the horn at the back door.
then made all haste TO set the plenti-
full. If plain, meal on the table. which
feat she had barely accomplished be-
fore Uncle Peter and three stalwars
helpers appeared on the scene
ssNancy does make A No. l pies,
said Hiram Jenifer, reaching for Sec
ond slice.
II don't mind if drink another cup
O. coffee,'' observed Noah johnson,
"with plenty of sugar. Nancy, please. ;"
While Hezekiah Hopper made a
plunge at the butter with his own knife.
remarking, soto voce: THAT to his
taste there want no butter like June
butter, an it didn't come but once
year,"
..No hot bread" said Uncle Peter,
with comprehensive glance around the
board. nor riz biscuit-eh. Nancy"
81 couldn't manage it to-day" with
conscience-stricken look with the
washin' and all"
'.Nancys yesterdays breads good
enough for me.'' observed Hiram philo-
sophically.
For my part" said Uncle Peter. 81
don't see how these women folks con-
trive to put in the time, pottering
around all day, ADDING next to
nothin'."
"oh, now, that amt fairr' spoke up
Noah Johnson, good-naturedly. ''Tain't
no Joke to cook an wash an iron for
four men"
The color had risen in two round
spots to Nancy's cheeks; quick retort
| hovered on her lips, when Uncle Peter
interrupted the unspoken words.
"Oh, by the way" said he, I'D most
forgotten to say anything about it, but
brother Sans girls to be here to-day"
Brother Sans girl?'
"Why, yes-your cousin Mamie from
Bridgeport-your Uncle Sam wells gal,
that's to teach the district school here.
Sam, he was inquirin' round for place,
an | calculated we could board her
here, so told him to send her on, He's
wilin' to pay five dollars a month, and
that counts upf'
Nancy looked at her uncle with
startled eyes.
But there amt no room for her to
sleep in," said she.
''She can have your room, and you
can take the little corner chamber IN
the garret One person more or less
in the family don't make no difference,
and five dollars is five dollars Have
IL ,..l
Johnson
Nancy said not word.
OF what avail was it to remind I'm
Gle Peter that the little garret chamber
was cold in winter and hot in summer,
that the roof leaked, and the rats
played high carnival there?
She only helped Hiram Janifer to a
cucumber pickle, and rep,enished the
coffee pot for the third time
There's gal, now-Brother Sans
darter," rehectively observed Mr.. Nor
ton, as he sprinkled pepper and vinegar
over his summer beets-'as Is worth
her salt. Arnin twenty dollars
month at teschin'. If Nancy could
make money like thatl But Nancy
hadn't never no faculty."
Il never had a chance!' cried Nancy,
with rising color and tear-brimmed
ewes. 'sIve been kept hard at work
since ] was child, and and
There there, don't get excitedH'
said Uncle Peter, waving his hand in d
patrouizing manner. Gals is queer
creeturs. You can't so much as speak
to 'em, but they fly off at tangent
Get things ready for Sans gal, that's
all l ask of you-and mind you have
some fried chickens for supper. HI
Jenifer hasn't had bite of fred
chicken since he's been here. And look
after the young goslin's that's comm
outen the shell down to the barn-l
suspicion there's weasel aboard some
where-and mind the calves don't get
into the corn. | RELY must mend that
gate pin some o these days Come,
boys, if you're sure you can't worry
down no more vittleS-
1t was not until the four men had
shuf1ed off to the barnyard 10 look
after Uncle Peters latest investment IN
a new Durham cow, ere they returned
to the hayfcld, that Nancy sank weari-
Iy down into patch-cushioned rocker
and burst into tears.
"Why, what's the matter, Nancy?
You're Nancy Norton, aren't you?
A sweet, chcery voice sounded in her
cara light hand touched her shoulder
Nancy jumped to her feet.
"Are you Uncle Sans daughter" she
cried,
why, Of course I am! Nancy Nor
ton, just like yourself Named after
our dear old grandmother-only they
call me Mamie
A smouldering feeling of resentment
had possessed Nancys heart toward
this unknown relation; but IL was all
dispersed now in the light of those clear
hazel eyes-the sunshine OF that win
ming smile
Nothing IS the mater" said she,
Except the washiu' is behind to-day,
and Ira clean discouraged and tired
out"
Where's the grip
I'm the girl, Nancy answered
Then I'll be girl. too" Mamie
laughed out, taking of her gloves and
unfastening her piquant little cape
You 20 and hang ont the clothes and
I'll see about clearing of this table.
Because I'm TO board here, father
sass. and you and / are 70 be great
friends"
Nancy looked wistfully at her.
Kiss ne. won't YOU. said she
.fOh, yes. Ia so like To be friends with