The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-06-02
Letting The Old Homestead.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FOKkEsI bhANES.
II dunno's I've any objection to lot
you hev the old place" said Simeon
Lilton as he stood leaning on his
hoe. me and Elvira were cal
culatin' TO 90 to Hebron and live
with our married daughter. When
folks gets to be old like us, forty.
acre farms most too big TO handle.
But / don't deny that hate to leave
it wuss than the toothache."
Down under the hill the young
leaves OF the naples were breaking
out into u cloud of green mist, the
aspens shook their woolly tassels,
and little brook, half hidden by
tangled briers, made n merry gurglo
on its way to Linden Lake.
"Hebron's n nice place" medit-
atively remarked Simeon, as he flung
a clod at marauding crow pcrched
on the nearest tree, 'but 'tain't like
the open country as me and Elyira
has always been used to-"
"Then | may become your ten
anti" said Philip Pindar, taking out
his notebook. "At fifteen dollars n
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, wiping his
leathery forehead with spotted
cotton handkerchief.
II looked at the house yesterday, !"
added Pinder, and with few alter
ations-"
81 don't calculate to pay for no
alterations, shrewdly spoke up old
Simeon.
"At my expense, of course" said
Pindar.
"Dunno's I've any objection to
that.
"With a few trining alterations, "
went on Pinder, cit can be adapted
to my needs It's II pretty place-a
very pretty place.
~ s'pose you'll be pullin' down
the old wcll-sweep and cuttin' away
the apple trees ?" said Lilton, un-
easily. Folks is SO fnicky."
"By no means. The well-swcep is
worth ten dollars II 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 whatever improvements art
necessary. Here's the rent for the
first month to bind the bargain, and
the paper will be ready for your sig
nature as soon as | take possession >
II don't want no papers, saiC
Lilton." I'm one Of them rs theil
word is as good as their bond any day
in the week !"
Business is businessl" good-hu
moredly spoke Mr.. Pindar, as he re
pocketed his leather wallet and
strolled away toward the railwa,
station, while old Simeon renewed
his labors with the hoe and rake.
There shan't no city feller hav,
it to say as Sim Lilton left the farm
in bad condition." said he.
Consequently, he was very tire,
when, after liberal ablutions in tn
wooG-shed and severe toweling o
his old gray head, he came in to an
swer the MONDAY summons of tn
dinner hour.
"Well, Elviry," said he, beginnin,
on the corned beef and cabbage
I've done good stroke o busines
this mornin'."
Mrs. Lilton looked into the teapot
clapped the lid down and set il o
the tray ready to pour the refreshing
beverage.
"Well," said she, in n brisk, bird
like way that she had, "ef you'v
beat me in that line, you've don
pretty well, that's all I've got t
sayl"
.'Hain't sold the old chist O. draws
hev YEP" queried Lilton, with hi
knife, well laden with greasy cal
bage, on the way to his mouth.
"Better'n that !" said Mrs. Liltor
exultantly. "I've let the placel"
"What I"
"Ive--let-the-place l"reiterate
the old woman, with great distinc
ness and some asperity. ITO yer
nice young lady with two littl
sisters, as is thinking of growin
roses and carnations for New Yor
florist, And here's the first month
rent, SO there shan't be no backii
out of the bargain on either side,
laying down a clean ten-dollar not