New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-14


II was to the effect that she hated to be made
so wicked by a little scamp like that boy. I
asked her how wicked she felt. with view
toward comparing her sin with the evil that
was rioting in my own heart
she informed me that nothing short OF cat
hauling Columbus on his bare back would APP
pease her, and she knew that the popular
prejudice in Ransom was not In favor OF cat
hauling. So she should never be appeased
1t was a singular thing that when Columbus
came home that night he brought instead OF the
usual hornpout, dozen trout, and Gertrude
particularly likes trout.
And he was remarkably helpful. too He did
the barn Chores with promptness; he filled
the woodbox for the rext day. and he said he
should weed the onions In the morning He said
he knew the weeds had kinder got ahead OF
him. but that one pair of hands couldn't do
everything"
That is a favorite phrase OF our boys. and he
always says It with an air that reveals that
expect him to 10 miracles Vt work but that
being women. We can't understand how 1t Is on
Z farm. Not that work farm, but this
year did feel II we would like to raise
our own vegetables and It was then we thought
We would have boy-and boy would be so
protecting. too.
It was after supper that Gertrude requested
me to leave the did so, and resisted
the quite insane desire to go back and listen at
the keyhole. 1t is the resisted temptations
which make one strong
That evening after Columbus had gone to
bed, my friend described the interview she had
with him.
She said that he began the conversation by
saying that Tim White had informed him that
his. Tins. father had informed us that our
COW had had dose Of cayenne and that that was
what allied her when she seemed to be running
mad. "Ailded" was the word used by the boy.
WELL" said Gertrude. resolutely you did
give her the pepper didn't you? And we went
and looked and found our box empty
Columbus put his elbow up over his face pre-
cisely IL Gertrude were going to hit him.
"Yesm. I didn't knows you'd care much
bout little bit CT pepper. You may take 1t
out er my wages II You want to. Ma says you
don't give me haf I'm wurth now
Here gentle SWIVEL heard behind the
elbow.
Gertrude says she had to wait some minutes
before she could command her voice. and even
when her voice came she didn't know what to
say. great many violet what she called pirate
words occurred to her. but she kept them back.
that she did not care about the loss Of the
pepper Columbus repeated that he was willing
to have II taken out Of his wages.
Then there another silence. during which
Gertrude came to the conclusion that she really
told Columbus that she wished he would go out
Of her sight.
This unexpected remark seemed too much for
hnv hrnt into xp1o ttnao
and apologies He said that he did 1t cause 1t
took so much Of his time to milk; n there
such a lot for him to do that he didn't
know which way to turn: he was Jest about
crazy with the work stan'in' round waitn for
him, and one pair Of hands couldn't do every
thing"
Here Gertrude rose from her chair She told
him that II he ever made use OF that phrase
again she would instantly turn him out OF the
house.
do you hear? Instantly"
He put his elbow up again. and from behind
this shelter he said, "Yesm'
Then she told him to 90 out Of doors and TO
go to work. She didn't care what he did; every
thing; anything; only go.
So he went.
The next morning he cleaned the stables and
he brushed the horse. BY that time haze he
gan to show in the west. and presently we saw
Columbus crouching down In the spot Of gar
den where the soil is richest.
looked at him, and the next moment had
opened the door into the buttery where Ger
trudc was making huckleberry pies from berries
which Columbus had not picked. but which we
had bought from the groceryman who drives
from Farnham; and our pasture is full Of
berries
He Is digging worms" announced.
Gertrude stopped rolling piecrust. She came
to the sink and washed her hands. She went to
the back door and called to Columbus. lie came
with his box Of worms under his arm.
II forbid you going fishing for a week." she
SAID.
"Yes'm"
II want you to hoe the beans"
"Yes'm"
He stood looking at her without vestige OF
expression In his countenance. He made a
slight movement as II re were about to assume
his usual attitude Of defence.
If you put your elbow up I-I"-
Here Gertrude paused. She explained afterward
that 1t seemed vulgar to threaten to fog him,
and 1t would be idle to say she would kill him,
for In Massachusetts, 1t IL against the law to
kill boys; and ne Is a neighbours son. and his
parents might object.
Gertrude says that II Columbus foreign
boy, with friends near. she supposed she
should have killed him long ago. and should
before this have been hung.
This time Columbus refrained from raising his
elbow He went and deposited his wormbox In
the place where he keeps II. He brought out
his hoe and began to hoe the beans. | can hear
him now as l sit at the open window writing
these lines.
Slowly, slowly. the fiat piece Of metal slips
under the earth. and when 1t is under 1t is
perceptible space Of time before 1t Is withdrawn.
1t is almost II weed might spring up
while he Is going through the process. l
quite sure the weeds laughing at him.
Though his wormbox is not by his side
there is a large burdock leaf arranged near
him with stones to hold 1t down. In this leaf I