The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-23
SHE SAVED THE DAY,

Jackson Smith had a hobby. II
would stand at the foot of his tabi,
carving knife in hand, while he en-
larged upon the "soulless democrati
times" emphasizing his sentences b.
bfandfshiRg the carver IN air.
His next aversion to democrat wa
an old maid. Indeed, the old mai
was even more odious to him. tn
democrat he could forgive as being
fool, but the old maid was beyond par
don on any grounds And yet, as II
very mockery Of his pet antipathy, hi
only child, Sarah, had developed int,
the hated object, right In his owl
household. ="
Sarah was tall and angular, like hel
father, but her face was pleasing, ans
her disposition mild and amiable. Sh.
had never revoited against anything IL
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 hel
youth had gone, but. while she was
80, she could not recall having been
young. q
s. One day Jackson Smith received q
hurt, and when Dr.. Brown was called
in he told Jackson his days were num-
bered. Then 1t was that his hatred for
old maids proved itself.
I'll never leave this place to a wo-
man that can't get husband" he said
hercely.
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 down to-
morrow. There's money enough In
bank for you, but I'll fix it SO that at
your death 1t will 60 with the farm,
Jackson Goggan, my namesake, shall
get it ALL"
Tearfully Mrs. Smith impaired the
facts to Sarah. -"
Mother. would he turn you out of
the old home just because he hates
me?" and Sarah looked incredulous.
The elder woman nodded; then sa-
rah kissed the round, sunburnt face
and said: Mother, l never have re-
VOTED against father, but I'm going to
save. the place for you'll wouldn't
mind SO much, but you shah never
leave your home. I'm going out now
to think it over" And putting on her
pink sunbOnnet she went out the back
door. When. some distance from the
house she sat down in the shade of a
tree, and while her heart beat loudly
over her fathers contemplated injus-
tee, she resolved to outwit him.
There's Josh Mullin; he might-but
l 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 Ter 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
10 ask 1t of him." Then the tear
stained face of her mother passed be-
fore her mental vision, and giving a
Jerk to her sunbonnet she started down
he path across ths meadow.
John Howard was hoeing corn.
When he saw Sarah approaching he
topped and leaned on his hoe, a look
II concern in his face.
us the old man worse, Sarah ?" he
lsked.
Eyes; DR.. Brown says he can't live
nore'n two or tbres days, and-Oh,
ohn, it's awful, the way he is"
Yes, but you have been a good, sac
iacing daughter, Sarah, and you can't
lame yourself for anything, you"
"Oh, you don't understand, John:
e's going to leave everything to-to
ackson Goggan. and mother'll have to
cave the place." she half sobbed.
You can't mean it, Sarah? Why
Thy that would be outrageous. What
lakes him talk of such thing?"
"Because-becausc-I am an old
laid; he hates all old maids" and her
ice grew pinker than the sunbonnet,
ohm Howard shifted the hoe to the
Their arm and looked down.
John, I've come to ask you-Oh,
ohm, don't think me brazen: it's for
Others sake. can't stand to see her
rned out, and for my fault, and ifyou
Ill only help me and-and-come up
the house and pretend that We are
be married--jnst until after the will
made-it wouldn't be so very wrong.
'hn-not SO bad as letting mother be-
t out Of her home" She caught ter
cath In short gasps. but when John
IS silent her pink face suddenly
led. II reckon it's ssking heap too
lch Of you, John. but don't hold it
ainst me; couldn't see any other
y. Good-by, John" she was turn
3 away.
Don't 60 yet Sarah. II think your
"a Is good. but it might not work.
ckson Smith is sharp; he'd see right
'ough it, but--if-if you would be !
ling we could drive over to Squire
lis this afternoon and get married.
7ouldn't trouble you any, Sarah-we
I'D 60 on just the same, and I'll new
want TO marry any one else, and II
l should you could get a divorce,
l know"
Oh, you're sure it makes no differ
don't mind, john" Her
e was eager Il
No, l don't mind; I'd help you any !
Y l could Sarah. It's nigh noon r
v. III drive over for you in the =
ICY right after dinner"
I'll be ready, and wouldn't have q
ed you John, only-only--you I'M a
stand how It is, don't you?" Her = =
D was red again. 1
understand 1t, Sarah, Don't fear" 8
Why, Sarah, where have you been? =.
look ~ r0ny M q unnny-" and Mrx | a
Rsg u g4s,s r-45 ~ st .@2 44l SIX 49, 4