The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-09-22
HULDAHAN DONALD,
~ III WOMAN with ideas Of her own"
Ia her acquaintances said of Huldah

women who are dependent upon themselves.
Her mother had often said to her:
"Huldah, you need never marry for a
home; when your father and / are gone
there will be money enough to buy you q
small place, and you will be quite independ-
ent."
But series OF misfortunes had fallen
upon the Owens, and when the debts were
paid and the estate was settled only few
hundred dollars remained. Besides the
money, Huldah possessed common school
education, excellent health, an independ-
ent spirit and strong, common sense.
Many plans hoated through her mind.
There was one thing she greatly desired,
and that was TO be an owner Of real estate.
Why could not she do with small village
property what the money kings had done
with railroads-buy dilapidated houses, put
them in repair and sell at a profit or keep
them and live on the rentalY
After eating breakfast at her friends
house she started out in quest of bargain
In real estate.
Every house she passed which looked as IL
1t were going to decay she scanned with
interest, and in some instances inquired II
the property were for sale. In view of q
possible purchaser, the price was generally
raised beyond the reach of Huldah's small
capital. On the outskirts of the village
stood an old house which abe especially
wished to possess. 1t was large and sur
rounded by about two acres of land. 1t
seemed in the last stages of decay. The roof
of the kitchen had fallen in, the fence was
nearly all gone, the well-curb had rotted
away, and the weeds made wilderness
about the place.
eff there wasn't 80 much land with It"
unused Huldah, II might be able to buy It,,
but do not want to go in debt, and if the
Hulsey heirs knew that l wanted to buy 1t
they would want fancy price"
She went home quite tired, and with a
much clearer idea of what 5000 would not
purchase than when she started out.
"Come here and welcome" her friend,
up at the homestead had left Huldah with
out shelter.
"Thank you, kindly" the young woman
had responded, 'it will only be for short
time, for l must get settled"
In the same household was a lad about
ten years old, who did chores for his board.
The chores lasted all day long, and even the
few hours after supper which Donald want
ed for study were begrudged and broken.
The children of the family crowded tho
patient little fellow away from the lamp
and away from the fire.
Huldah made resolve that if ever she
had home of her own Donald should have
a cozy nook by the freside. She had helped
him with his examples, and he was grateful,
for poor and homeless as he was he had set
his heart on becoming great scholar.
The evening that Huldah had been out
prospecting a man came to see her about
selling the Hulsey property.
II am one of the heirs, he stated. "There
are three of us, and we are tired of looking
for buyer. 1t hasn't been so we could
rent it fur long spell, and we amt none
of us but could use bit Of cash right handy,
now that cold weather is a-comin' on. 1
ben over to see Sary Ann an John about it,
an they reckon if you hev a mind to give us
each a hundred dollars fur our sheer we'll
sell out an the place7l be yourn."
Three of theml One hundred dollars
apiece! Huldah thought rapidly. 1t was a
very low figure. Still, she was shrewd
enough not to seem too eager.
'I will look the place over in the morning
and let you know" she said.
Bright and early she was making her way
through the weeds to the old Hulsey house.
She found a good cellar, an excellent founda-
ton wall and timbers, and three or four
rooms that could be made habitable with
out much expense. The land alone she
knew to be worth more than the price
asked. After ascertaining that the title was
good, she concluded the bargain as soon as
possible.
1t was early in September, but there was
much to do before cold weather. She went
to her friend and asked for Donald.
IT want him for my boy" she explained.
"I will give him home and educate him"
Donald stood by, anxious to hear the de-
cision.
eff he wants to Co." said Mrs. Rams
dell, "I have no claim on him. l just took
him In out of charity, but have enough
Of my own"
'Do you want to be my boy, Donald"
"Oh, yes'm, if you please"
Huldah was not a demonstrative woman,
but she kissed the eager, uplitted face. That
caress made the motherless boy her friend,
willing to lay down his life in her service.
In the busy days that followed she found
her boy very efficient helper. 1t was Don
aid who cleared the place of weeds. 1t was
the rooms. 1t was Donald who worked with
all his might when the drayman brought
Huldah's furniture from her old home.
Donald, do not want you to work SC
hard. fear you will injure yourself" re
monstrated Huldah, "and / want you to
have time for study"
"I love to work for you," responded the
boy. "You never scold me, and l want To
see how well we can make the place look >
at is wonderfully improved already
Since you pulled up those great weeds and
burned them it looks like another place
but we need carpenter to put new roo
on the wing of the house, and to fix the
doors and windows. Then, if the house had
a coat of paint, it would be quite respecta
ble."
She soon found carpenter who was will
ing to make repairs if he could turn hi
work on rent. Huldah furnished the ma
terials, and in week the man and his wifi
moved into part of the house, SO that al
most from the first the property began II
be paying investment. Donald begged t.
be allowed to paint the outside of the house
He also learned to put on shingles, and wa
so much help in making the repairs that tn,