The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-01-10

htSS Will NldIb
from Pokeville
Thursday afternoon at half-past five, and will
arrive in your city about two the next day.
"She is a very timid, dear girl, and unfor-
t~unately, owing to the crops, ] cannot travel
with her. Ihave, therefore, proposed that she
should stay with you for a few days. instead Of
going to a hotel. Maria Briggs will be with
her. Her business is with the dentist.
Your loving brother.
JOSHUA SMITH"
This letter, which the postman
brought early one afternoon, alarmed
me considerably.
/ lived in a neat two-story brick
house that had been my fathers,
smoked where l chose, and kept one
deaf old servant, who seldom said and
never heard anything.
But having made up my mind that
my sister-in-law must come, | began to
wonder how, since Hepsiba could not
read, the fact might be communicated
to her, in order that due preparations
might be made.
/ rang the bell, Hepsiba saw it
shake and came. She stood and looked
at me. l pointed to the letter; she
nodded. / pointed out of the window
at a lady going past; she nodded again.
Then l drew another armchair oppo-
site mine and put two plates upon the
table, and marked off three days upon
the almanac.
Hepsiba gazed with astonishment:
looked at me again, shook her head,
and putting her apron to her eyes
rushed out of the room. l followed
her. found her crying in the kitchen,
and had matters thus explained to
me:
I'D best take warning. I've kept
house for you fifteen years, and a
missus will unsettle me. | thought
you'd gin up marrying years ago"
left her. l hoped she did know, but
] wasn't sure.
Friday Hepsiba came down in her
best gown, and l retired to my study
TO wonder what / should do with my
sister-in-law.
heard the bell ring after awhile.
Then several kittens began to new in
the hall, or | fancied so.
Kitten! no-something more; for in
a minute more my study was invaded
by Hepsiba, who marched in, holding
in her arms a baby in a dress long
enough for a six-footer.
"She's sen the baby on ahead" said
Hepsiba, solemnly. Hadn't you no
confidence in an old critter like me?
i shouldn't hev objected to your get.
tin married, but to keep it from me t
least a couple o years is kinder hard"
The truth flashed upon me. Some
wretched impostor had brought an in
ian to my door and deserted it. My
sister-in-law might arrive before l
could rid myself of the horrible little
creature.
To find n policeman and get the
child off my hands was my only hope.
/ rushed to my study window and for
tunately saw the sturdy form of our
particular guardian just turning the
corner. ! beckoned to him.
And away we drove to the station
house, where, having been cruelty
cross-questioned, 1 was informed hat
the little waif and stray would be sent
to the founding hospital, and that l
might 60"
| went. At least my sister-in-law
would never know of this absurd
affair. My heart was lighter. grew
even cheerful.
But at the door of my own house |
halted in terror. Screams of the most
fearful description were being uttered
within. l burst open the door and
rushed in.
In the front parlor a young lady lay
upon the sofa shrieking and tearing
her hair. A servant girl, whom | re-
member to have see at my brothers
house sat rocking to and fro in costa
sizes of grief.
Here's your wife, | reckon" said
Hepsiba, land her sister. They come
in and asked me suthin'-didn't exact
ly hear what it was. Then they be-
gan to tear up and down the house
like mad. Now she's got fits"
Then Augusta sprang to her feet,
rushing toward me, clutched my arm
with both hands, and screamed:
ooh, where is hep Where is he?
Where is my SOM"
I'll don't know. I'm not &C.
quainted with him" | stammered. 81
I--what do you mean, AugustaY"
MY dearest angel! My babyr' cried
Augusta.
Baby" cried. "Eh, your baby?"
and sat down, faint with horror.
Me and Mis- Smith we KEN up from
Pokeville," said Maria Briggs, this
morniu' and we fetched the baby
along with us, and me al.d Mis- Smith
we come to the door in u cab, and he