The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-09-28
NANCY'S WAGES.
How Uncle Peter Came to Know
Her True Worth.

How uncle PeCer Carne TO Know
Her True Worth.
Twelve o'clock and the washing
amt out yet" said Nancy Norton, with
a frightened glance at the clock. But
I've had such a sight o setbacks! I'll
have to wait spell now till the hired
men have had 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 stalwart
helpers appeared on the scene.
Nancy does make A No. l pies"
said Hiram Jenifer, reaching for Sec
ond slice.
IL don't mind If drink another cup
o. coffee" observed Noah johnson,
s'with plenty of sugar, Nancy, please"
While Hezekiah Hopper made
plunge at the butter with his own knife,
rcmarking, soto voce: THAT to his
taste there want no butter like June
butter, an it didn't come but once
year."
mo hot bread" said Uncle Peter,
with comprehensive glance around the
board, nor riz biscuit-eh, NancyT
Il couldn't manage it to-day" with a
conscience-stricken look. with the
washfn' and all"
"Nancys Yesterdays breads good
enough for mev observed Hiram philo-
sophically,
"For my part" said Uncle Peter, IL
don't see how these women folks con-
trive to put in the time, pottering
around all day, a-doing next to
nothin'."
ooh, now, that amt fair" spoke up
Noah johnson, good-naturedly. faint
no Joke to cook an wash an iron for
four men,"
The color had risen in two round
spots to Nancy's checks; quick retort
lowered on her lips, when Uncle Peter
interrupted the unspolSen 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 grip
''Why, yes-your cousin Mamie from
Bridgcport-your Uncle Sam'wel's 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. Hes
willin' to pay five dollars a month, and
chat counts upv
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 garrett One person more or less
in the femily don't make no difference,
and five dollars is five dollars Have
some more of the dried peach sass,
Johnson"
Nancy said not a word.
OF what avail was it to remind I'm
Gle Peter that the little garnet chamber
J -saA-a,,ld in winter and hot in summer,
played high carnival therss;r'
She only helped Hiram Janifer to a
cucumber pickle, and replenished the
coffee pot for the third time.
There's gal, now-Brother Sans
darter," reflectively observed Mr. Nor
ton, as he sprinkled pepper and vinegar
ssver his summer beets-''as is worth
'her salt. Amin twenty dollars
month at teachin'. If Nancy could
make money like that! But Nancy
shadn't never no faculty.
II never had q chance!" cried Nancy,
with rising color and tear-brimmed
eyes. "rve been kept hard at work
since was a child, and-and"-
There. there, don't get excitedr'
said Uncle Peter, waving his hand in a
patronizing manner. Gals is queer
creeturs. You can't SO much as speak
20 'em, but they fly off at tangent
Get things ready for Sans gal, that's
all ask of you-and mind you have
some fried chickens for supper. Hi
Jenifer hasn't had bite of fried
chicken since he's been here. And look
after the young goslin's that's comm
oAten the shell down to the barn.
suspicion there's weasel aboard some
where-and mind the calves don't get
into the corn. l RELY must mend that
gate pin some o these days Come,
boys, il you're sure yoa can't worry
down no more vittles"-
1t was not until the four men had
shuffled off to the barnyard to look
after Uncle Peters latest investment in
a new Durham cow, ere they returned
to the bayfield,, that Nancy sank weari-
ly down into patch-cushioned rocker
and burst into tears.
''Why, what's the matter, Nancy?
You're Nancy Norton, aren't you?"
A sweet, CHEEKY 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 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 Nancy's heart toward
this unknown relation; but it was all
dispersed now in the light of those clear
hazel eyes-the sunshine of that win
ming smile.
Nothing is the matter" said she,
"except the washin' is behind to-day,
and I'm clean discouraged and tired
ont