The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-06-02


a woman came from the inner room.
She spoke in Pennsylvania Dutch, but
| was able to make out that her words
conveyed a command for her husband
to comply with my request She also
added that he should not offer to do the
work too cheaply.
[ smiled as | recognized in this one
of the provident traits of Pennsylvania
Dutch farmers wife.
"I'll pay you well," reiterated.
"I guess you should gif me feefty
cent" Mr.. Hunsicker said. in a doubt
full manner, as though he really did
not expect TO receive that amount, but
was determined TO get all out of me
that he could.
at is settled, then, that you take me
over. Well not quarrel about the terms.
Allow me to rest here under the cool
shade the remainder of the afternoon
and give me some supper, and you shall
have a dollar"
The farmer was quite overwhelmed
by my munificent offer, as was also the
hitherto unseen female. For the wom-
an peeped from behind the door of the
kitchen to have a look at me.
bowed to her, and she acknowledged
my salutation by coming forward
81 guess you haf no dinner" she said,
in hospitable way.
The truth was, had had none, and,
being rather healthy, l was not sorry
to be ushered to the table, where l
was bountifully supplied.
Al. 4. 10 sEras Il
me with many searching glances, which
attributed to her curiosity.
After / had finished my repast we
again returned to the front porch.
"You have a nice place here" l said
handing the man a cigar. "The house
is new, is it not?"
"Aboud fife year old" he answered;
and then his wife took up the conversa-
tion.
"Ve rented a farm ofer at Neisonville
| for q long dime. Bud We nefer had no
childrens, so We safed some money and
bought dis farm" she said
The woman was eager for n little gos-
sip, and was bound to have it, in spite
of the fact that the dinner dishes We're
awaiting her.
"Did you ever know old Abram Nell
son, of Nelsonville?" l asked, willing
to indulge her wish. Its long time
now since he died-1s years"
"Yes, We knew him. 1t vas part of his
farm We rented after he died." the man
made response.
/ could not restrain smile at his
clumsy way of putting it, but before
| could ask another question the wom-
an came up to where / was standing
and gazed earnestly into my face.
"Ach, Gott! It's true!" she ex-
claimed, clutching my arms. "Its Mel,
little Nell Acn Gott, knew It'll"
Then her excitement ended in a food
of tears. 1 gazed down at her in as
tonishment, and as j looked recollec-
ton came to me.
"Why, surely. / used to know you,
I said, smiling down upon her. "You
must be Sarah. You used to work at
Grandfather Nelson's when / was a
small boy, and took care of me during
my visits"
'Ach. see! he knows me!" the woman
exclaimed, turning toward her husband
"He would not forget Sarah! So, so
After so long a dime. Ach, my! Ant
now you are a man, and haf growed sc
big!"
/ really should have explained before
that my name is Nelson Conway. Ihat
been rather a small, puny child, and my
grandfather called me Little Mel.
Soon Jake went about his busines:
harvesting the oats. Sarah and 1 sal
all that afternoon under the cool shade
talking about old times.
My parents had been dead many
years, and 1t was something new in my
experience to be petted, deferred tc
and made much of. Sarah took up the
acquaintance just where it had beer
broken off 1S years ago, and seemed I'M
bued with an augmented alteration fol-
me.
/ felt there was one true, loyal sou
in the world whom l could depend on
and, in the natural desire for sympathy
and consolation, recounted to her al
my troubles, including the circum
stances connected with the bank rob
berry and the suspicion under which
had groaned in spirit for year now.
sit seems as though L were fated IL
carry that load to the grave" re
marked, despondingly.
Zach, no, indeed you Won't. Done
you feel pad aboud it, Mel. You see i
come right. Let dem come to me-
Sarah continued, waxing indignant
"let dem come to me. I dell dem IL ;
grandson of Abram Nelson is thief
And dey find out some day"
Her assurances comforted and en-
couraged me very much. For / knew
; my life had been honorable and square
at least in all business relations, anC
her absolute trust in me, after all th'
cruel insinuations and the cold look
of suspicion, was balm to my wounded
spirit.
There was another, the brightest, fair
est and best of women, who also fel
confidence in my integrity, or at lens
had done so; one whose affection
had gained. But l had not heard iron
her since Immediately after the rob
berry, and whether her trust and Low
still remained mistaken / could no
say had no reason to doubt her; bu
then time works wonderful change
; in a woman's opinions, often.
After supper Jake drove me over I
Nelsonville. Sarah accompanied US, O
course She would have been intensel