The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-07


S9E father Barr frequently
said "the two Hittibels
were very like, only the young Hitti
bel was so slow to think and act"
Mother Barr often said: "Our Hit
tibel is a little slow. Dorothy is
three years younger, and real quick
witted. l do trust Hittibel will i'm
prove. Pioneer people need to have
their wits about them"
The Barr family were not yet quite
accustomed to the new Silver Creek
prairie home. Droughts, the grass
hopper pests, hot winds, and scant
crops tested the new settlers courage
and patience.
In the autumn of 1876 Mrs. Barr
said to Hittibel: Father has brought
from town a dollars worth of sugar
He says the plum trees on Silver
Creek bank are hanging full of fruit
I'll make large kettle of marina
lade if you children will gather the
plums. We have so little fruit the
plums are worth walking five miles
for"
Three brown, barefooted young
people, Hittibel, Dorothy and Joe,
laughing and swinging their pals,
Immediately set out for the plum
patch. The young people went
plumming until the plum boughs
Z were stripped of the purple fruit.
One morning large kettle was
filled with equal portions of fruit and
sugar, and set boiling over a fire
built in the backyard. Mr.. Barr
stirred the mass with the stirring
paddle until messenger came for
him.
"I'm sorry, 'Manda; but l must
really go to town. The church build
ing committee meets this forenoon.
Stirring marmalade is hard work"
I'VE will try to do without you"
replied the patient wife.
Grandfather Barr took his turn
with the paddle. Unfortunately,
neighbours fine horse was very i'll.
Grandfather, a friend to dumb AMI
mails, understood horses and horse
ailments. He, too, had to leave the
kettle. Grandmother and Mrs. Barr
stirred the suffering, thickening
mass an hour.
"Hark" cried grandmother. cts
the Wisemans' dinner horn,-the dis
tress signal. 'Manda, they need us.
Likely Luella is sick"
Mrs. Barr gave the stirring paddle
into Hittibel's hands, saying: "Let
the fire go down, but don't forget to
stir; marmalade is easily scorched.
Now don't lose your wits. Father
works too hard for the money that
pays for sugar
"Mother, you may trust me. In
deed, will not waste the sugar or
spoil the marmalade," said Hittibel.
( Two brilliant, golden-plumaged
birds hoped tamely near Hittibel.
They chirpei in friendly way. One
flew away. Hittibel turned to watch
its flight; and, looking up the road,
she saw far off two horsemen riding
fast. The neighbors did not ride in
that reckless fashion. Hittibel drop
ped the stirring paddle, ran into the
house and into the pantry, snatched
from the blue sugar bowl handful
of gold coins, returned to the kettle,
and dropped them into the marina
lade.
Dorothy and Joe, sitting in the
front door way, enjoying game of
humble the peg, welcomed the
strangers Hospitality. Hittibel stand
ing beside the kettle in the back yard,
heard plainly the questions put to
Dorothy and Joe.
Grandfather, grandmother, father
and mother are all away from home,"
explained Dorothy.
my little man, I'll give you dime
if you will watch my horse while
"Yes, sir Yes, sirl" cried Joe, de-
lighted that he might earn ten cents
so easily.
SISSY, would you mind getting
pitcher of water from the spout
spring9 I've heard the water in your
spring is wonderfully cool and sweet"
said the tallest man, in his most
pleasant manner.
Dorothy gayly tripped down the