Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-12-06
HIS SISTERS SISTER.

eyes, it's somethin' for you, Hannah"
Good land! Who's been writin' to
me: L hain't had n letter l can't tell
the time when. I'm most afraid to
open it, Dannel. Mebbe it's got bad
news"
bad news! Who from. I'd like to
know? You're alwuz expectin' some
thin gloomy
"Wa'al, there's a good deal that's
gloomy in this world. You know that's
we'll as l do"
eyes, Hannah, n there's a good deal
that amt, too" He seldom spoke with
so much vigOr and decision when diff
fering with his sister.
you'd better open tin read it to me;
don't feel as eff 1 could, somehow"
Daniel Marstin sat down in the old
rocker by the west window 1t was
early August and almost sunset Beau
tiful shafts of red light threw them
selves over his thin, small figure and
his head, with it's scanty gray hair.
He tore open the envelope with his
finger, but the letter would not come
out. I'm 'fraid 1 shall tear it all to
pieces, Hannah"
"Wa'al, let me take it; I'll try'n see
what l can do. I'm dreadful afraid
somebody's dead
II s'pose somebody is somewhere"
said Daniel. with quick, short-lived
twinkle lighting up his pale blue eyes.
''Good land! who do you think wants
to come N see us, Dannel?"
cousin Angienette?' said Daniel, in
a low, timid interrogative.
Nov, how come you to be thinkin'
q herr" asked his sister with consider
able asperity of manner. you amt
been readin' right through the letter,
like some O. them folks up in the city
the papers tell about, have ye?"
81 came across a little picture yester-
day in the green chist up in the gar
ret that she sent me good many
years ago. jest afore she got married.
l CUES she was kind O. in my mind.
She used to be the chipperest girl It 1
ever see in my life, n she had such
pretty curly hair
"'Twas red,' said Hannah.
"Wa'al, t want real red, kind O.
pink"
We're too old to be clipper now,
any of us. l don't see how l can have
her, no way, Dannel; we amt seen her
this ten year.
Wouldn't she kind O liven us up?'
asked Daniel, timidly. 1--WE don't see
many folks, you know"
''Wa'al, eff you're tired o. havin' your
pore old sister round Fspose 1 can
write n have a stranger come N take
my place.
Hannah's voice trembled, and her
eyelids grew red, one tear gathering
force enough to trickle slowly down
her cheek like a slender rill. which has
no great source behind it.
Il guess 1 wouldn't think anything
about it, then-perhaps she might
make We some work. / didn't know
but she could help along with the
quiltin'; she used to be a master hand
at SEWN. 1 could tackle up N go to
the deepo for her as well as not, now
Pm through with the hayin'''
You'll have to write the letter, Dan
mel. 1 don't seem to feel like it, my
stomach's so weak. Tspose 1 shall be
sorry 1 had her come. 1 don't want
her meddlin' with my cookin'.''
That day week the three cousins
were seated in the best room, which
led out of the kitchen. 1t was mere
box of a room, and had a musty odor
it was so seldom opened. Two large
old naples shaded the windows, and
grew so near that they seemed like
grim sentinels, forbidding the entrance
of heavens light and breath.
81 don't see you look much older N
you did ten OF fifteen years ago, Angie
nette," said Daniel, as he crossed one
leg over the other, and tried to make
himself stationary on the slippery
hOrSe-hair chair with its hard unyield-
ing seat.
"Wa'al 1 don't knows l feel old; I've
got good health n seven nice children!
There amt nothin' they don't try to do
for me, sence their poor father died.
But I'm fifty-five next month. That's
older n you, Hannah, by three years.
Il hain't never had Sech health as
| you've he'd" said Hannah, as she left
| the low chair and took a seat in one,
the back of which was tall and straight
and stiff.
! Her figure was 1.-THE and firm, and
her complexion, though colorless, had
! the hue of health.
1 ''Why, you never was sick but once,
Hannah" said the brother, n that was
more n twenty years ago."
''Well, 1 amt been real sick, but
don't seem to feel so strong as Twas. 1
git dreadful tired washin' n ironin' the
same day"
81 sh'd think you would" said her
cousin; what makes We do it,"
! Good land! l alwuZ did. You don't
s'pose I'm goin' to have it round two
days, do We, for jest Dannel n me n
Hiram. l want to set down Tuesdays.
I'm piecin' calico to make same quilts.
I'd ought to make three this fall, eff !
can
! III take holt n help We, if you want
me to, Hannah-ef 1 shan't be in the
way; 1 like to sew.
Air your eyes good?"
Eyes good? Why, yes, of course
they be; what's to bender? 1 don't
never use glasses, nuther; I was al.
ways sort O near-sighted, you know.
Some say them kind of eyes is
stronger n others. L don't know
Why, you amt feelin' like an old
woman vet are ya2''