Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-03-24


Of two rough hewn willow posts. He
flung them down with laugh and dried
his streaming forehead on his shirt
sleeves.
"What now, seth3" Liza asked.
walking around the long posts inquisi-
lively. why, what Hercules you
arer'
II been thinkin bout you, sissy,
ever sence we parted this mornin, and 1t
come to me, If you was bent on dom all
your picture maxim in this pertickler
spot, I'd better be providin ag'i inst ac-
cidents. The rainy season Is comm on,
and wen it rains here it don't make no
bones about it. Sometimes we has regu-
lar chunk foaters. I'm goin to put you
M storm shed. Them the posts for
it."
Liza looked affectionately up at the
great sunburned fellow, with his moist,
yellow hair and his loving blue eyes.
She had pronounced him common" in
her heart that very morning, for which
she did repent her.
"Seth, you are entirely too good to
me. don't deserve one-half that you
do for me" She patted his STOPPING
shoulders caressingly.
Eyes You do, honey, You deserves
lots more sometimes thinks 1t mighty
rough on you-mighty rough. And I'm
sorry for you, b'dogged if l amt"
Liza stopped and loosened silvery
lichen from the bark Of one Of the posts
Her eyes were shining and she did not
want Seth to see it.
"What is rough on me, buddy Seth?"
Il was the first time she had ever
fallen into the old childish form Of ad-
dresa
"All Of it," said Seth gently, "all Of
It, Me and pa and the niggers and the
quarters and-well, everything in a
lump ! sorter feel like we all had
trapped a little hummin bird and was
rumplin its purity feathers all the
wrong way with our clumsy handlin- /
do, for a fac. You needn't to laugh.
"Never mind my plumage. Twill try
to keep it smooth. 1t will be lovely to
have q storm shed out here, Seth And
will you put me up shelf too? One that
will hold all my boxes and brushes, 80
that need not bring them backward
and forward every day? That is one OF
my greatest bothers."
"A dozen, if you want EN-" said
Seth delightedly.
"One will do. Where is your hat,
Seth9'
He put long, sunburned hand up to
his lank, yellow hair and laughed I'M
concernedly.
Its out yonder in the wagon, full
Of pussimmons. But maybe you've out
growed your love Of pussimmons seen
q fine lot of ripe ones Frost, you know,
last Tuesday, and l thought maybe
you'd like to eat 'em rs we driv' home. "
(which expect we ought to be do
ing now. promised mother to help her
with the sweet potato pies. Indeed
have not outgrown my persimmon
taste. :"
Seth waved his hand vaguely.
whenever it suits you. If you want
to draw some mo-, can wait So can
the sweet potato pies. l can be diggin
them post holes by way Of savin time.
Don't mind me, sissy"
II don't believe want to draw any
more. My morning has been all spoiled
am quite ready to go home. "
"Who spilled your mornin?"
"Mr. Adrien Strong. What an Adonis
he is, Sethr'
A yelled but dangerous light came
into Seth mild blue eyes
7. H.,
II think pestered him more than he
did me-"
Such an unaffected ripple Of laughter
broke from Liza's parted red lips that
Seth's threatening aspect melted in
simultaneously into one Of the most alb
jeot alteration
"I'd ruther hear one laugh like that
from you, sissy, than to lis'n to the
brass band Of Dan Rice's circus, bldg
ged if l wouldn't, for fac. But
what's that about Adr'n Strong sp'ilin
your monin?"
Then, as together they traversed the
peafeld toward where the wagon was
waiting for them, Liza told him about
Adrien and Sarah Jane and the broken
ranrod About the revelation contained
In the crumpled piece of paper which
Adrien had meant to cram into the bar
rel Of his gun she did not speak. The
wallet she put into Seth's hand, saying
briefly:
"He left this behind. Give it back
to him, please. "
Ibid you think warn't never COM
in back for your" Seth asked, lifting
her lightly into position on the wagon
and putting his fruit offering into her
Z lap.
II thought you were staying longer
than usual, but l suppose it was the
posts or an extraordinary good picking
to weigh. Which was it2'
mo, it warn't the posts, nor the COT
ton. nuther. found the pickers was 80
close to Neck or Nothin that I JUS
stepped over to see how Strong was
maxim 1t.
"Well, how is he making it?"
"Po'ly enough, poor boy. I'm trou-
bled bout him, sissy. He's gettin
mighty sour bout everything. Strong
didn't use to be one of the sour sort. I
think he's got bigger contrac' on hand
than he bargained for in runnin that
place, but he won't own up to it. I
wisht could help him some way, I
do, for fac"
Liza put her hand caressingly ON
Seth's rough coat sleeve and left it
there.
Seth, you've got the tender heart Of
a gentle woman under this rough coat
somewhere. You are worth all the Mar
tins put together"
Seth looked down sidewise at her I'M
con The instinct of holm.