The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1898-08-11
SAVED THE FARM.

John Saith had a hobby. en- uneopqus''
bic aversion 10 cid msi3s And yet, ss 10
very noskery Of bis psi sntipsiy, his only
child. Sarah. bad developed inio The hated
object. risht 10 his own household.
Sarah was tall sad sne aiEr. like hef
father, bBi her face Was plessies and he'
disposition mild and snlsble. She nevei
revolted AZ ,inst snythins 10 her iiie-ho'
even against The injustice OF spending her
yoalh 10 making preserves, apple butter
or pieciag luills while other sirls were
mskiug merry.
one day Jackson Smith received hurt'
and when Dr. Brown was called 10 heiold
Jackson bis days we're numbered. Then
il vas that his hsired tor old maids
proved iiseIi.
I'll never leave this place TO woman
tbs. can't get husband, be said hercely.
Bot. father. ssrsh's never had DO
chauce; we've always kept her do'o. re
monstrsts5 his weeping wife.
He waved his hand to silence her
Womsn, no old maid shall inherit my
place. I've sent by the doctor for Lawyer
Clarke. and he'll come tomorrow. There's
money enough in bank for you, but III
tiI il so ths, Of your death II will go Win
the farm Jackson Goggan, my name
sake. shall get it all.
TrsriuIly Mrs, Smith impaired the facts
TO Sarah.
Mother. would be turn you out OF the
old place Just because he hates mef and
Sarah looked incredulous.
The elder woman nodded; then Sarah
kissed the round, sunburnsd face and
said: Mother, never have revolted
against father, but I'm going to save the
place for you. woulda't mind so much.
bat you shall never leave your home I'm
going out nov to think 1t over, and pns
ting on her pink sunbonuet she went ont
the back door. When some distance from
the house. she sat down 10 the shade of 3
tree, and while her heart beat loudly over
her istb er's contemplated Injustice she re
solved to outwit him.
There's Josh Mullip, be might but |
csal bear Josh, he chews tobacco, and
his mouth always looks dirty. She cast
her eyes over the landscape, aud on the
next farm she saw the figure OF man in
the field. Yes. there's John Howard, but
and her face grew pink - hste somehow
to ask il OF him. Then the tear stained
face OF her mother passed before her men
tai vision, and giving jerk to her sun
bonnet, she s. uted down the path across
the meadow.
John Howard was hoeing corn. When
he saw Sarah approaching. be stopped
and leaned on bis hoe, look OF concern
on bis face.
Is the old man worse, Ssrsbf he asked.
Yes. DR.. Brown says he cant live more
than two OF three days, snd-oh, John
it's awful the way be isl
Yes, but you have been good. sacritic
ing daughter. Sarah, and you can't blame
yourself for anything, you
Oh, you dou't understand, Johnl He's
He's going to leave everything to to Jack
son Goggsn, and mother'll have to leave
the place. she half sobbed.
You can't mean il, SARAH Why-why,
that would be outrageous. Whist makes
him talk OF such . thing' Bscsuse-be
osuse-I am an old maid; he hates ell OLD
N aids, and her face grew pinker than the
sunbonnet. John Howard shifted the
hoe to the other arm and looked down.
John, I've come to ask you-oh, John,
don't think me brszan; it's for mothers
sake. Icsn't stand 10 see her turned out.
and for my fault, and il You will only
help me snd-snd come MP to the house
aud pretend that we are to be married.
inst until after the will is msde-it would
not be 80 very wrong. not so bad % let
ting mother be put ont OF her home
She caught her breath in short gasps' on'
when John was silent her pink face sud
denly psled. | reckon it's asking hesp
too m uch OF you, John. bat don't hold IL
.p.inst me, | couldn't see any other way.
Goedby, John. She WAS turning away.
Don't go yet. Sarah. l think your idea
is good. but it might not work, Jackson
Smith is sharp. He'd see right through
it, but ut-if-ii you would be willing We
could drive over to Squire Halle this after
noon and get married. | wouldn't trouble
Won spy. Sarah. We could go on Iutt
the same, and I'll never want to m,rry
any one else. and II you should you could
get divorce you know.
oh, you're sure II makes no difference =
you don't mind. Johnf Her tone was
eager
No. 1 don't mind. I'd help you any
way could, Sarah. IPs nigh noon now.
IN drive over for you in the buggy night
after dinner.
I'll be ready. snd-I wouldn't have
asked you, Johr, only -o only-yo under
stand how II is, don't your Her face was
red again.
Why, Sarah, where have you been' fou
look .s rosy Is ss poppy. snd Mn. Smith
wiped the tears from ber eyes ss che gszed
At her daughters fsce.
I've been attending to business Tor u'.
mother. You will not leave the place,
I'm going over TO So nire Halls this even
ins. John Howard is coming to take me
10 the buggy. The sun vi. sinking low
i, The YES, when John Howard aud S,rsb