The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-08-26

he enlarged upon the SOulleSs ueino'
cratic times" emphasizing his sen
tences by brandishing the carver in air
His next aversion to Democrat was
an old maid. Indeed, the old maid was
even more odious to him. The Demo
crat he could forgive as being fool, out
the old maid was beyond pardon on any
grounds. And yet as in very mockery
of his pet antipathy, his only child,
Sarah, had developed into the hated OBJ
ject, right in his own household.
Sarah was tall and angular, like her
father, but her face was pleasing, and
her disposition mild and amiable. She
had never revolted against anything In
her life-not even against the injustice
of spending her youth in making pre-
serves, apple butter or piecing quilts,
while other girls were making merry.
Sometimes Sarah wondered where her
youth had gone, but, while she was 80,
she could not recall having been young.
One day Jackson Smith received a
hurt, and when DIR. Brown was called
In he told Jackson his days were num-
bered. Then it was that his hatred for
old maids proved itself.
'Ill never leave this place to wom-
an that can't get a husband" he said
fiercely.
But, father, Sarah's never had no
chance-we've always kept her down" "
demonstrated his weeping wife.
He waved his hand to silence her.
woman, no old maid shall inherit my
place. I've sent by the doctor for Law
yer Clarke, and he'll come tomorrow.
There's money enough in bank for you,
but I'll fix it SO that at your death 1t
will go with the farm. Jackson Cog
gan, my namesake, shall get it all"
Tearfully Mrs. Smith impaired the
facts to Sarah.
Mother, would he turn you out of
the old place just because he hates
me?" And Sarah looked incredulous.
The elder woman nodded; then Sarah
kissed the round, sunburnt face and
said: Mother, never have revolted
against father, but I'm going to save
the place for you'll wouldn't mind SO
much, but you shall never leave your
home. I'm going out now to think it
over" And putting on her pink sun
bonnet she went out the back door.
When some distance from the house
she sat down in the shade of tree, and,
while hef heart beat loudly over her
fathers contemplated Injustice, she re-
solved to outwit him.
There's Josh Mullin; he might-but
can't bear Josh; he chews tobacco and
his mouth always looks dirty. Henry
Hodge is home, but he drinks so that
there's no dependence to be put in him."
She cast her eyes over the landscape,
and on the next farm she saw the figure
of a man in the field. Yes, there's John
Howard, but" and her face grew
pink-"I hate somehow to ask it of
him." Then the tear-stafned face Of her
mother passed before her mental vision,
and giving jerk to her sunbonnet she
started down the path across the
meadow.
John Howard was hoeing corn. When
he saw Sarah approaching he stopped
and leaned on his hoe, look of concern
In his face.
'Is the old man worse, Sarah?" he
asked.
"Yes; DR.. Brown says he can't live
more'n two or three days, and-Oh,
John, it's awful the way he is"
"Yes, but you have been a good, sac
rificing daughter, Sarah, and you can't
blame yourself for anything, you"
''Oh, you don't understand, John; he's
going to leave everything TOTO Jack
son Goggan, and mother'll have to
leave the place." she half sobbed.
You can't mean it, Sarah? Why
why, that would be outrageous. What
makes him talk of such a thing?'
"Because-because i am an old
maid; he hates old maids" 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 brazen; it's for
mothers sake. 1 can't stand to see her
turned out, and for my fault, and IL
you will only help me and-and-come
up to the house and pretend that we are
to be married-just until after the will
is made-it wouldn't be so very wrong.
John-not so bad as letting mother be
put out of her home" She caught
her breath in short gasps, but when
John was silent her pink face suddenly
paled. 81 reckon it's asking a heap too
much of you, John, but don't hold it
against me; couldn't see any other
way. Good-by, John" She was turn
ing away.
"Don't go yet, Sarah. II think your
idea is good, but it might not work.
Jackson Smith is sharp; he'd see right
through 1t, but-if-if you would be
willing we could drive over to Squire
Halls this afternoon and get married.
wouldn't trouble you any, Sarah-we
could go on just the same, and I'll nev-
er want to marry any one else, and If
you should you could get divorce, you
know"
"Oh, you're sure 1t makes no differ
ence-you don't mind, John?" Her tone
was eager.
mo, l don't mind; I'd help you any
way could, Sarah. It's high noon now.
III drive over for you in the buggy
right after dinner"
I'll be ready, and-I wouldn't have
asked you, John. only-only-you un-
derstand how it is, don't your" Her
face was red again.
81 understand it, Sarah. Don't fear"
} ''Why, Sarah, where have you been?
You look as rosy as a poppy" And
Mrs Smith wiped the tears from her
eyes as she gazed at her daughters
face.
"I've been attending to business for
us, mother. You will not leave the
place. I'm going over to Squire Halls
this evening. John Howard is coming !,
to take me In the buggy"