Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-06-22
Letting the Old Homestead
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
81 dunno's I've any objection to
let you hev the old place." said
Simeon LiltOD, as he stood leaning
on his hoe. "Me and Elvira were
calculatin' to 60 to Hebron and
live with our married daughter.
When folks gets to be old like us,
a forty y.acre farms most too big to
handle. But 1 don't deny that l
hate to leave it wuSt than the
toOthache."
Down under the hill the Young
leaves of the naples we're breaking
out into a cloud of green mist, the
aspens shook their woody tassels,
and a little brook, halt hidden by
tangled b:iers, made merry gurgle
on its way to Linden Like.
"Hebron's a nice place." medit-
atiyely remarked Simeon, as be
fang a clod at marauding crow
perched on the nearest tree, "but
'tain't like the open country as me
and Elvlra has always been used
to.
"Then | may become your ten
antp said Philip Pindar, taking
out his note book. "At fifteen dbl
lars a month, for year certain,
with the refusal for longer term
in case you do not yourself wish to
return
"Them's my terms," succinctly
spoke the old farmer, wiplng his
leatheIy forehead with spotted
cotton handkerchief.
II looked at the house yester-
day." added Pindar, "and with a
few alterations-
81 don't calculate TO pay for no
alterations" shrewdIy spoke up
old Simeon.
"At my expense. of course" said
Pindar.
"Dunno's Eye any objection to
that"
with a few tri1ing alterations"
went on Pindar, sit can be adapt
ed to my needs. It's a pretty place
ID very pretty place y
w s'pose you'd be pullih' down
the old welI.sweep and cuttln' away
tho apple trees 7" said Lilton, un-
easily. "FOiks is so finicky."
"By no means. Tue well.sweep
is worth ten dollars a year to me
In picturesqueness, No money
would induce me to pull it down.
But shall certainly lay water
pipes and drain tiles through the
orchard, and make whateyer i'm
provements are necessary. Here's
the rent for the first month to bind
the bargain, and the paper will be
ready for your signature as soon as
l take possession"
IL don't want no papers," said
LiltOn," Pm one of them as their
word is as good as their bond any
day IN the week ~
"BuSlness IS business !" good. .hu.
mOredly spoke Mr.. Pindar, as he
repOcketed his leather wallet and
StrOlled away toward the railway
station, while Old Simeon renewed
his latOrs with the hoe and rake.
"There shan't 10 city feller have
1t to say as Sim LIltOn left the
farm in bad condition." SAID be.
Consequently, he was very tired
when, after liberal ablutIons IN the
wood.shed and a severe toweliug
of bis Old gray head, he came in to
answer the MONDAY summons of
the dinner hour.
swell, Elviry," said he, begin.
ming on the cOrned beef and cab.
bage, "Pye done a good stroke O.
business this mornin'.H
Mrs. LIlton looked into the tea
pot, cIapped the lid down and set
it on the tray ready to pour the re.
freshlng beverage.
"WeIl,' said she, In a brisk, bird.
like way that she had, Get you've
beat me ia that line, you've done
pretty well, that's all I've got to
sayr
"Haih't sold the old chist o
draws, hev yea" queried LiltOn,
with his knite, we'll laden with
greasy cabbage, on the way to his
mouth.
"Bettel'n that ~ said Mrs. Lilton,
exultantly. "l've let the place "
"Whatl"
"Pve-lat- the-p!acew reiter.
ated the old woman, with great