Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-08-13

help themselves"
"Mr. Hayden, I'm plum ashamed
of youl'
The old man, with chuckle OF
delight, drew nearer the fence, and
sunk the remainder of his plesdings
to whisper, which was intended fer
the widow alone.
Going up to the house, she carried
a handful OF crisp nasturtium Leaves
with few OF she brilliant blooms,
and placed them with artistic care
lessness about plate OF csbhage
Said.
Mrs. Jeptha looked on With a
snort.
"Humphl Bokays always seem
out of place with vittles."
Then wishing to appear in pleas
ant humor, she added:
III suppose, though, nasturtiums
might be called vittles, they're good
t to taste
| AS they sat at dinner, she said
blandly:
"Mother Quilter, me and Jeptha's
been a-talking it over. and we've
concluded that you ought to go on
a visit to your sister in Illinoy.
She's been awaiting you to come
for ever SO long, and Jeptha said
he's made the price OF your trip over
and above in that corn trade with
the elevator last week, and you can
have it if you want to 60; though |
won't say but / need some new
things myself. Still"
"Why, Mariah," began Jeptha,
but kick under the table made him
finish his protest in a cough and
struggle over his soup.
Mrs. Mary Quilter had flashed q
startled look at her daughter law,
but she said quietly:
"Why, yes; 1 would like to go,
but didn't allow ought to spend
the money just now, though l sup
pose some Of it might be coming to
me as rent from the place"
"Well, as to rent" retorted Mrs.
Jeptha sharply, "eyery one knows it
amt worth much, and counting
board and everything. But l know
you want to go, and now would be a
good time"
The younger woman was surprised
at her mother-in laws ready consent;
she had expected some slight oppo-
sition.
"I'll start Wednesday, on the noon
train, Maria"
"Why don't you go on the night
train, then you won't have to lay
over in Kansas City,"
"No," answered Mrs. Quilter, with
an unusual obstinacy, "I'd rather go
in the afternoon"
The following day Mrs. Jeptha
found it convenient to ba lettering
at the nastortium beds as Mr.. Mat
thew Hayden strolled by, and after
a few common-places, she remarked
carelessly:
81 suppose you know mother Quill,
ter is going back to Illinoy On a
visit? You didn't? Now, I sup
posed she had told you. Well, l
suppose she's kind of bashful. tell
her that amt nothing, but you see
folks have plegged her SO much
about you, that she's got plum dis
gusted, and says she'll put stop to
it. She allows that it makes her
ashamed to have folks making re-
marks about her at her age. Yes,
she is going to start tomorrow after
noon. 1t is ridiculous, aim it, that
some folks isssuch busybodies that
old friends and neighbors can't pass
a friendly word without anything
being thought of it? This town just
beats all the places / ever see for
gossip. And Mother Quilter says
she wouldn't marry the best man
that ever lived, lessen every hair of
his head was strung with gold, and
you know your'n amt, Mr.. Hayden.
Though l will say that Mother Quill
ter is rather grasping to talk that
a way"
Wednesday afternoon Jeptha Quill.
ter and his wife saw their mother
safely of on the train. When the
noon passenger stopped at the first
station out, Mr.. Matthew Hayden,
wearing q bran new suit and ceru.
lean necktie, and carrying q new
yalise, got on board. His freshly
shaven face shone with scented soap
and delight.
| aft that wasn't done the slickest
ever SEEM" he said, as he sat down
by Mrs. Quilter and took her hand
boldly in his. "They actually helped
us of, and paid the brides fare by
gum" he chuckled. aNow we got
two hours to wait at Kansas City,
we'll go up town and get the license
and get married there, and go on to
Illinoy and pay yoar sister a visit
for our wedding tower"
All went we'll with the elderly
Lochinvar, and when the Chicago
and Alton pulled on. OF Kansas City
that night it carried Mr.. and Mrs.
Matthew Hayden, bound as tightly
in the bonds of matrimony as the
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