Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-01-27

4&1lll ~ A. tlle acres, but he
" uxnnasEM- had nothing be-
sides q pension of
eighteen dollars quarter and the
reputation of being the LATEST man in
the township.
But the widow was lonely and Hiram
had "taking" ways with women folk
and she yielded to his solicitations.
She hoped that matrimony might cure
him of his idleness, but after the first
few weeks he settled down into his old
habits and the little place, instead of
improving, as Mrs. Hopkins hoped,
soon began to run down. For having
taken unto herself husband, she did
not feel able to hire man to do the
work, and as Hiram would not do it,
at the end of their second year of life
together the once neat and pretty little
farm looked terribly neglected.
One warm spring morning, moved
by some particularly sharp remarks
made by his wife, Mr.. Hopkins took
his hoe and proceeded to weed the
garden, which was overrun with weeds.
He soon lay down to rest, however,
and fell asleep few moments before
his better hall, touched by his seeming
industry, brought tempting lunch to
encourage him. When she saw hifn
sleeping she recklessly tossed the
lunch into the pigpen and returned to
the house with her heart full of bitter
rebellion.
When Hiram at last awoke. dread
ing his wife's displeasure at the non
performance of his task, he secured
his fishing pole surreptitiously and
disappeared.
Mrs. Peters, an old friend of Mandy
Hopkins, was waiting for her when she
returned from the garden. Mrs.
Peters could have chosen no more IN
propitious time for asking, after short
chat:
''For mercy's sakes, Mandy, what
ever possessed you to marry Hiram
Hopkins?"
~ Mrs. Hopkins's upper lip drew in
ominously as she answered stifiy:
81 was lonesome an reeded man
about, an Hiram-he loved me"
The other laughed dryly.
'Loved yer prop'ty, more like" she
remarked "Folks says it's born
pity he don't keep it up better'n
what he does. Look at them fences
reacy to keel overl Whatever ails
yer garden? It's righteous shame
to look at. Can't"
Without word Mandy Hopkins
rose and marched out of the room with
flaming cheeks, and though the med
dlesome Mrs. Peters waited for ten
minutes and made a careful examina-
ton of the house and cellar in hope of
finding her, she remained invisible,
and the risitor departed in high dud-
geon.
Out in the back pasture lot, under
great old apple tree, poor Mandy
writhed and sobbed in anguish #
heart, unmindful of the fragrant pink
petals that fell around her and softly
touched her as if in pity for her pain.
Between her sobs she told herself that
affairs had come to such crisis that
in a few years she would not have
roof to cover her head. Besides this,
MS Mrs. Peters had said, folks were
talking, and that was the last straw.
Having formulated II plan she
checked her tears and composing her
countenance returned to the deserted
house. Toward the edge of the ever
ing Hiram, carrying a good string of
fish, slowly entered the yard. He
tried the kitchen door and finding it
locked, although sounds could be
heard within, he called out:
"Mandy, I've fetched a mess Of fish
for supper"
Receiving no answer he called
louder:
MANDY let me in. Here's some
Ssh to cook for supper"
At this the little sliding window in
the living-room was pushed back eau
tiously and Mrs. Hopkinss face ap-
peared.
'Hiram Hopkins, said she, sharply,
81 amt goin' to let you in nor to cook
you nothin' till you promise me solemn
earnest to mend yorr ways an take
care of this prop'ty IS it should be. "
There was such determination in
her voice that the hickless man knew
every word was meant. Shocked and
amazed at this unexpected disaster, he
sat down on bench near the house to
mediate. Presently lie rose, and
going to the window, said loudly:
''This amt the way to treat you lord
an master, Mandy. an 1 dom t pu pose