The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1893-09-28
NANCY'S WAGES
How Uncle Peter Came to Know
Her True Worth.

'f $3.50 ~ -'
n frightened glance at the clock. but
I've had such n sight . sctbacltsl III
have to wait q spell nov till the hired
men have had their dinner"
She blew the horn at the back door,
then made all haste TO set the plcnti-
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. 1 pies"
said Hiram Jcnifcr. reaching for a Sec
ond slice.
II don't mind il | drink another cup
u coffee. observed Noah johnson.
"with plenty of sugar, Nancy, please"
While IIelckiah Hopper made q
plunge at the butter with his w knife,
rcmarking, soto voce: That to his
taste there want no butter like June
butter, an it didn't come but once a
year
no hot bread said Uncle Peter,
with a comprehensive glance around the
board, nor riz biscuit-ch, NancyY"
~ couldn't manage it to-day with a
consciencc-strickcu look. with the
washin' and all"
"Nancy's Yesterdays breads good
enough for me- observed Hiram philo-
sophically.
For my part" said Uncle Peter, ~
don't see how these ONE folks con-
trive to put in the time. pottering
around all day, a-doing next to
nothin'."
"Oh, now, that amt fair" spoke up
Noah johnson, good-naturcdly. faint
no Joke to cook an wash nm iron for
four men"
The color had risen in two round
spots to Nancy's checks; IA quick retort
lowered on her lips, when Uncle Peter
interrupted the unspokcn words.
"Oh, by the way, said he, I'D most
forgotten to say anything about it, but
brother Sans girls to he here to-day"
brother Sans girl?'
why, vcs-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 a place,
an | calculated we could board her
here, so | told him to send her on. He's
willin' to pay five dollars a month, and
that count up"
Nancy looked at her uncle with
startled eyes.
But there amt no room for her t.
s,ccp in" said she.
she can have your room, and you
can take the little corner chamber in
the garnet, One person more or less
in the family don't make no difference,
and five dollars is five dollars. Have
some more of the dried peach sass,
jOhnSon?'
Nancy said not n word.
OF what avail was il to remind I'm
Gle Peter that the little garnet chamber
was cold in winter and hot in summer,
hat the roof leaked, and the ats
play ed high carnival there?
Size only helped Hiram janifer to a
cucumber pickle, and ~rcplenished the
coffee pot for the third time.
"There'sa gal, now-Brother Sans
darter," rehectively observed Mr.. Nor
over his summer beets-"as is worth
her salt. Amin twenty dollars a
month at teachin'. If Nancy could
make money like that! But Nancy
hadn't never no faculty."
u never had Il chauce" cried Nancy,
with rising color and tear-brimmed
eyes, I've been kept hard at work
since | was IA child, and and
There, there, don't get excited.'
said Uncle Peter, waving his hand in a
p~atroniaing amer. Gals is queer
crccturs. You cant so much Us speak
to 'am, but they fly off at a tangent
Gnt ShinnS rnnlp fnr Sap,'e vol thot,a
all | ask of you-and mind you have
some fried chickens for supper. Hi
%Jcnifer hasn't had a bite of fried
chicken since he's been here. And look
after the young goslin's that's comm
uutcn the shell down to the barn-I
suspicion there's a weasel aboard somc-
whcre-apd mind the calves don't get
into the corn. I RELY must mend that
gate pin some o these days. Come,
boys, if you're sure you can't worry
down 40 more vittles"-
1t was not until the four men had
shufled off to the ~barnyard to look
u new Durham COW, ere they returned
to the bayfield,, that Nancy sank weari-
ly down into a patch-cushioned rocker
n burst into tears.
I'm worked harder'n any slave"
said she, ''and don't never have no
chance to go nowhere nor see nothin',
and yet Uncle Peter thinks ! amt
worth my keep"
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 Pm clean discouraged and tired
out"
"Where's the girl?"
Tin the girl" Nancy answered.
Then I'll be girl. too" Mamie
laughed out, taking off her gloves and
christening her piquant little cape.
You 20 and hang out the clothes and
I'll see about clearing off this table.
Because I'm to board here, father
says, and you and | are Il be great
friends"
Nancy looked wistfully at hsn