The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-01-17
NANCY'S WAGES.
How Uncle Peter Care to Know
Her True Worth.

out YETI SAID Nancy Norton, with a
frightened glance at the clock. "But
I've had such a sight O. set-backs! I'll
have to wait spell nov till the hired
men have had their dinner"
She blew the horn at the back door,
then made haste to set the plentiful, il
plain, meal on the table, which feat she
had barely accomplished before Uncle
Peter and three stalwart helpers appear
ed on the scene.
Nancy does make A. No. pies" said
Hiram Senifer, reaching for a second
slice.
Il don't mind if I drink another cup
O. Coffee observed Noah Johnson, with
plenty Of sugar, Nancy. please"
While Hezekiah Hooper made a
plunge at the butter with his own kni'e,
remarking, soto voice: That to his
taste there want no butter like June
butter, an it didn't come but once
year."
"No hot bread,7 said Uncle Peter, with
a comprehensive glance around the
board, nor riz biscnit-eh, Nsncy?'
Il couldn't manage it to-day" with a
conscience-stricken look. with the
washin' and all"
"Narcy's yesterdays bread good
enough for me-" observed Hiram phil
osophically.
"For my part" said Uncle Peter, "I
don't see how these women folks contrive
to putin the time, pcttering around all
day, adding next to nothin'.'
"0h, now, that amt fAirF spoke up
Noah johnson, good-naturedly. ''Tain't
no joke 20 cook an wash an iron for
four men"
The color had risen in two round spots
to Nancy's cheeks quick retort hover
ed on her lips, when Uncle Peter inter
rupted the unspOken words.
"Oh, by the way" said he," III most
forgotten to say anything about it, bat
brother Sans girls to be here to-day"
Brother Sans girl?"
"Why, yes-your cousin Mamie from
Bridgeport-your Uncle Sam wells gai,
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 will
lin to pay five dollars a month, and that
counts up p
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 gar
ret. 0ne person more or less in the fam-
lily don't make no difference, and fise
dollars is FIVE dollars. Have some more
of the dried peach sass, Johnson"
Nancy said not q word.
Ofwhat avail was it to remind Uncle
Peter that the little garrett chamber was
cold in winter and hot in summer, that
the roof leaked, and the rats played high
carnival there?
She only help Hiram Jenifsr to cu-
gambler pickle, and replenished the coffee
pot for the third time.
There's a gal, nog-Brother Sans
darter," refectiyely observed Mr.. Norton
as he sprinkled peper and vinegar over
his summer beeis--"as is worth her salt.
Arnin' twenty dollars a month at teach
in. If Nancy could make money like
thatl But Nancy hadn't never no facul-
tyr
Il never had a chance" :" cried Nancy,
with rising color and tear-brimmed eyes
give been kept hard at work since L was
a child, and-znd"-
"rhere, there don't get excited r' said
Unele Peter, waving his hand in pat
ronizing manner. "GaIs is queer Greet
urs. You can't so much as speak to 'em
out they hy of at tangent. Get things
ready for Sans gal, that's all ask Of
you-and mind you have some fried
chicken 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 onten the shell
down to the barn-I suspicion theresa
weasel about somewhere-and mind the
calves don't get into the corn | RELY
must mend taat gate pin some Of these
days. Come, boys if you're sure you
can't worry down no more vittles"-
It was not until the four men had
shuffied off TO the barnysrd to look after
Uncle Peters latest investment in new
Durham COW, ere they returned to the
bayfield, that Nancy sank wearily down
into e patch-e1shioned rocker and bursts
into tears.
"Why, what's the matter, Nancy
You're Nancy Norton, aren't youf"
A sweet, cherry voice sounded in her
sar-a light hand touched her shoulder.
Nancy jumped 70 her feet.
"Are ycu Uncle Sans dsughte-T she
.sied.
"why, Of eourss AMI Nancy Norton
ust like younssif Named after our dea