Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1899-02-01

say a word about Il at noontime, She's
never done such a thing before as l
know Of, "
2 He stood still for little while, medi.
tatiyely rubbing his thumbs and fore,
fingers together while he pondered the
unprecedented situation.
"Couldn't be asleep, i reckon, he
conjeotured, "Never knowed her to
sleep in daytime, rgs
Nevertheless he came down the steps
and went around the house to cham
Der window. where he parted a tangle
of hop vines and raped sharply on the
sash. e,s,
"Sairy p he called, "Sairy Are you
to homer" $40
There was slight sound from within,
as of craaking board beneath careful
footstep; then the shade was lifted at
one side and thin, startled. elderly
face looked out.
"What on earth is the matter, Sairy?
What's the house all shut up like Jail
for?" demanded AhSaham Spencer in a
high pitched, irascible tone "Don t
you know the Rhynearsons We been
here and gone away again?" he went
on. 81 saw 'em from the north meader.
and I've come clear home to see what's
the matter. Wasyou asleep? Didn't you
hear 'em knock?"
Mrs. Spencer rolled up the shade and
lifted the sash with hands that trem-
bled.
"Come now, speak up quick" added
her husband impatiently, "for I'm CO.
in after EN- and bring 'em back, and l
want to know what to tell 'em.
"No, no, Abra IN, don t 60 after 'em. !"
Mrs Spencer dropped on her knees and
, leaned her arms YEARLY ON the win
dow sill. She spoke pleadingly, and
there were tears in her voice as we'll as
in her eyes "Oh, Abra m, KEEP EN-
out purpose.
You-what?" Abraham Spencer 8
tone implied that he was forced to
doubt the evidence of the ears that had
served him well for nearly threescore
years.
II KEEP 'em out purpose. l knowed
you'd be mad, but l couldn't help it.
I'm just too mortal tired and miser bic
to care what becomes of me- | ain t
able to get supper for you and the
hands, let alone all that Rhynearson
gang. I've worked so hard today, and l
didn't sleep much last night for my
rheumatic. Pm gettin old fast and
breakin down, A bra m Ican't hold out
much longer if don t slack up little
on hard work. .
''Well, why in thunder don't you
slack up, then! What's to hinder you
from goin to bed after breakfast and
stayin there till dinner timer
"Now, Abra m, that what you al
ways say. and it's so unreasonable
Who'd do the work if Ywent to bed!
Who'd feed the chickens and pigs, and
milk the COWS, and churn the butter,
and clean the vegetables, and bake the
bread and pies, and keep the whole
house in order? You'd come out slim il
went to bed, Abra m. re
"Well, slim or no slim, I want you
to either go to bed or else shut up your
complainin.
"Now, Abra m, if you only would be
little reasonable. All ask is that
you let me slack up little bit in ways
that can. There amt no sense in us
havin SO much comp'ny now since the
girls are married and gone. Comp ny
makes SO much hard work. specially
town oomp'ny. Them high flyin town
folks don't care snap for US, A bra M
They just like to be cooked for and
waited on, and KEEP overnight and over
Sunday, and fed on the best of every
thing, from spring chicken to water
melons, Now, them Rhynearsons"-
"Them Rhynearsons re my friends,
sternly interposed Abraham Spencer,
"and SO longs have roof over my
head my friends re welcome under it,
wouldn't we b'lieved such thing OF
you. Sairy. hain't any doubt you re
tired. I'm tired myself most of the
time, but don't make that ar excuse
for slightin my friends. y
but you don't have to cook for EN-
| and wait on 'em, Abra IN, when you re
SO tired and worn out that you can't
hardly drag one foot after the other.
and''- ia1n
Don't begin that old tune all over
again. I've heard it a many time al
ready. You ire gettin SO you're always
complainin, and if there's anything
hate it's naggin woman Now, under
stand, I'm goin after the Rhynearsons.
| I'm goin to make 'em come back if
can. Am l to say you was away from
home or asleep or what? 1t won't do fol
me to tell 'en one thing and you an
other, so just tell me what to say, and
be quick about it. "tt't ~.
"Tell 'em anything you like. Abra m.
l don't care what. All | ask of you, il
| you re bound to 60 after 'em, is that
| you'll stop at Selwood' s and get Sophro-
IN ,d :