New-York tribune., 1897-01-10

woodhouse Then there was the sound Of milk
falling into tin pans.
"Hannah." he shouted
His wife appeared at the open bedroom. She
had a handkerchief tied on her head and a
small shawl pinned tightly over her shoulder
Her cheeks were red from exercise.
What you ben doin'?' he asked
"Milkin'," she answered. II used to milk IA,
father sometimes. n you know we never foret
how That black m white would Keen
liftln' her foot. but got long well enough"
Have you fed the pigs?'
NO. I'm going right back to do H. I know
Jest how you feed um You see I'm lateYn
common this mornin'. cause ! oversight
shl get up rea. cary after this"
She turned away. Mr.. Droppers kicked under
the bedclothes.
'Oh. the devil" he cried. his voice somewhat
smothered By the blanket.
Mrs. Droppers hurried back to the door.
What say" she asked.
"Nothn." her husband answered.
Mrs. Droppers returned quickly 10 the BAN
She finished the rest Of the chores without hur.
ryng. She liked to be In the barn The odor
OF hay and the breath Of the cows and horse
was somewhat comforting. She stood at the
head Of the Jersey cow and stroked its face
looking into it's large. calm eyes. II was pleas
ant TO lean against the horse when she carried
the measure OF grain TO the manger
I'm glad Kellup knows I've got the money"
she said. aloud. That's kind OF a relief. any.
way"
She sat down for moment on the milking
stool and leaned against the barn wall.
TITS my money. S'ill I'd be willin' 70 let
Kellup have most all OF it. But he'd want Il
ALL.
how long he'll stay abed."
She went into tin house. carrying the eggs
form the hen house In her apron.
She peeped into the bedroom. Mr.. Droppers
seemed TO be asleep.
When she had washed the dishes and swept
the kitchen she thought she would run over
10 Mrs. Bar's. The need Of speaking n Soma
one was imperative. Before she had finished
combing her hair she saw Mrs. Blair entering
tho yard.
Mrs Droppers hurried TO the back door, II
Hush" said Mrs Droppers. conducting her
guest through the entry. Don't speak loud
He amt up II twanf 60 cold, I'd ask you TO
Sc down in the parlor.
"Ain't up? Is Mr. DrOppers sick?'
NO"
Mrs. Droppers gazed steadily into her neigh.
a curious gmmer in them.
why amt he up. then, I should Ike TO
He's layin' abed cause won't give him my
money that Squire Lorin' paid me" answered
the other
What"
The reply was repeated soemnly.
Mrs. Blair stared instant; then she bent
forward and clasped her hands over her knees.
beginning 70 laugh silently. swaying herself up
and down she did so. AS soon as she could
speak she made this announcement:
"Oh, shall die Then she laughed again
Mrs. Dropperss eyes continued TO nave the
Il should let him lay said Mrs Blair when
she was more calm Il call that childish enough.
He'll have the worst Of it, | reckon Hannah"
gazing seriously, be you goin to be firm
Il guess" said Hannah, that I've finally come
to my firm streak. II Kellup wants to stay In
bed. I'm willin' to take care Of him"
IF you want my son Willie to help bout chores
I'll send him over" offered Mrs Blair 1t hap
pens. luckily that the harvestin' 3 all done. It's
kind Of lull on the farm this time Of year
Il know it. don't think sh'll need Willie: II
do lpf |
was brought up on farm, n always USED 70
help father"
The two women sat for awhile whispering to
each other. When Mrs. Blair rose Mrs Droppers
begged her not to say anything yet Let tho
neighbors find out by degrees" she concluded.
oh lor," returned Mrs. Blair, Mr.. Droppers
there"
II d'know; he's kinder stubborn"
"No matter If he is; he'll soon have enough OF
AS Mrs. Blair walked through the yard she
heard the voice Of Mr.. Droppers from the bed
room crying:
Hannah, Hannah"
She hesitated, broad grin on her face. She
wished to 60 back and hear what he was going
TO say But perhaps 1t was as we'll that she did
not for this is what the gentleman said when his
wife promptly appeared at his door
What you n that cussed old woman whis-
perrin about?" he asked.
"she amt quite so old's you are. Kellup," was
the reply.
NO matter" furiousiy she's cussed old
woman any way What was she sayin?"
She told me that her Willie might help me do
the chores"
Mr.. Droppers snarled
And said" wen, on his wife. that could
git along first-rate myself"
"Oh. you did. did yOu?"
Yes. Do you want nothin' Kellup. II you
don't. guess I'll make some Of them pancakes
I you like so WELL
NO. don't want nothin'. You needn't stan
there any longer"
Mrs. Droppers made The pancakes. In the next
few days she cooked many things that her hus
band particularly liked: and he ate them for his
appetite continued good.
one two neighbors dropped in: and when
they found Caleb abed they spread the news
Callers became frequent The people Of the ham
let talked over the case. Some of them advised
the man and some the wife.
As for Mrs. Droppers. she did not mention 70
any To Mrs Blair the cause of the bed
ridden state of Mr.. Droppers.
II should think such an active mans your h'is-
bands always been d miss his exercise terribly"
remarked Deacon Kicker.
II guess said Hannah. that he gifts more
exercise than he's ever had. He amt still min
ute. 'cept when he's asleep. He kicks awful"
What pear to be his sym ?" was the next
inquiry.
You better ask him. he en- tell you better n
l car
A week had gone by. Mrs. Droppers did the
barnwork and the housework. and found time
to cater to her husbands palate. Things had
now begun to go on as IL they had always been
going on that way-with the head Of the house
lying IN Ded. ana tne woman attending 10 lfiu"vt
and outdoor affairs. Mrs Blair saw her neigh
Dor every day. and every day she said:
Hannah. be firm. Don't you begin nothin'
you can't carry out"
On the morning Of the eighth day the patients
appetite failed him. He desired neither sausage.
nor ham, nor souse.
When his wife had taken away the tray ne
called her back.
II wish you'd Sc down a minute" he said. you
look 's,if you'd dart off fore I could speak"
Mrs. Droppers sat down.
How you gittin' along with the work."
First rate"
Mr. Droppers appeared TO hesitate. Then he
asked with a slight timidity of manner:
do you feel jest the same bout giving me
that money!"
Yes. You amt treated me right"
Hannah grew pale She tried TO keep the
tremor from her voice.
I,n., ha' N fhnkn' that