Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-28
MALINDY,S MATCH.

wound its way down the dusty road and
over the brow of the hill. leaving the
sunshine Of the valley, tho well titled
acres, the spreading orchard and the
pleasant old farmhouse, that had meant
much to the heart Of Martin Ramsey,
but to which he would never more re-
turn.
Law me, wheezed Mrs Tinker,
, wiping a furtive tear upon the corner
Of her black silk. $50 that's the last Of
poor Martini Well, he has seen sights
Of trouble in his day Malindy an Be.
line. has acted as contrary as two
females ever did, an Martin stood up
under 'em splendid. Pears to me them
girls take it mighty cool, when you
think it's their only brother.
"Oh, NAV, y said Tenie, untying the
draggled bit of Grape that drifted from
the doorknob 81 think Belindy felt aw.
full She amt one to show it. As for
Malindy. she's that cranky she wouldn't
feel bad at her own funeral. .
Seems to me, remarked her mother,
thoughtfully, ''that Brother Rice didn't
have no call to be so comfortin an con.
solin. Them girls ain't no spring chick
ems; they're 80 come next May-same
age as Sister Harriet Bell. When you
think they amt spoke to one another
this 30 year, an that Martin has had to
live with EN-, bearin the blunt of the
plaguy foolishness, it does seem as if it
was the preachers business to make the
| funeral edifyin to the mourners. I hope
Brother Rice wasn't thinkin that the
Ramsey farm is broad an fruitful. I
hope he amt 'fraid Of no old maid
twins.
why, can remember" went on
Mrs Thinker, reaectively, when the
Ramsey girls was as pretty as there was
in the county, an body never see. one
without t'other. But when Bob Parker
was beauin Malindy an took up with
Belindy the fat was in the fire. can
tell you. Bob married Sissy Pollock, an
has been dead this 30 year, but that
don't make no difference to Malindy;
mad she is, an mad she II stayl She's
the contrairiest creeter the Lord ever
put breath inl"
"My SUI, mawl'' exclaimed Tenie,
"see how high the sun is gettin. 1 bet
ter run an set the table. I don't believe
they'll be many want to climb that hill
even for meal of victuals. Now, nav,
you settle right down in that shady
corner an take a catnap; you look beat
out. Everything is ready to put over,
so there's no need of your helpin.'
The summer had trailed away into
the autumn. The high hills had glowed
with riotous beauty, only to fade into
the somber tints Of winter, and now to
a waiting world was coming the breath
of approaching spring.
| Tenie was looking for her mother.
She stood upon the porch of the little
brown cottage. peering out under her
hand. oq
"There.she ISL, she exclaimed as 8
bay horse hitched to q shabby buggy
shambledt into sight. stI'll jest run
down an open the gate Goodness me,
mawl What time you We beenl" she
cried as her mother drove into the
barnyard Eve been lonesome as
dogl was afraid Dolly had run away
with you. y
"Iknowed you'd be worried about
me. Tenie. Z" wheezed Mrs. Tinker.
clanbering heavily to the ground.
But l did have the biggest hunt to
match that blue delaine, an, as for wool
carpet chain. there amt pound in
Philadelphy. So it was dreadful late
when come by the Ranlseys, an when
Belindy see me nothin would do but I
must unhitch the beast an stay for din
ner.''
Now, nav, you take them bundles
an put for the house, commanded Te-
ME. "You look fit to drop You amt
a-goin to stand here in the wet. Go
long with you'll"
Law. Tenie, you make regular
baby Of me. I'll go to please you, child,
but faint right to be always shirkin. :"
II guess you're rested enough to talk,
NAV" said Tenie when they had had
tea, and Mrs. Tinker was resting com.
fortably in q rocking chair, her slipper.
ed feet thrust into the warm baker.
Never mind about the delaine. Tell
me about the Ramseys; seems like q
coon's ag esince / seen one Of 'em."
"They was askin why you didn't
come over, bat / told 'em you was
dreadful busy maxim a rag carpet, an
the spring sewin comm on, to say nothin
Of Tom Miller bein here so constant. /"
"Pshaw. nlawl" exclaimed Tenie,
blushing rosy red. ''stop your foolin. an
go on with your story"
"'Well. the fact is. they are havin
high old times at the Ramseys. y said
Mrs. Tinker impressively.
"You don't say They ain t on speak.
in terms?": inquired Tenie, sewing
away briskly with her lap full Of carpet
rags.
'Hee. Tenie. hand me my Ihimble
an mess Of them rags. can, talk
twice as fast with my needle goin. Up
to the Ramseys as far as speakin goes,
things are jest where they was, except
they'v, got that little Rosie Lethers
there to do their talkin through. But
soon as Igot there I see there was some
thin in the wind, an, as I said, nothin
would do but / must take off my bon
net an stay to eat. Pretty soon Malindy
couldn't stand it no longer, an she out
u