The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-09-27

81 GOES TO THE CoUNTY-sEAT ]
breakfast table. Maria came much nearer
governing that household according to her
own sweet will than anybody outside of
it imagined.
Somehow the victuals did not appear
nearly so appetizing to Shorty when re-
ceived from Amanda's hands. Despite
her hOspitable urgings, he ate sparingly,
and without interest, and answered indif-
ferently such of the DeacOn's and Sis re-
marks as were addressed him. He could
not keep his eyes from turning wistfully
toward the kitchen-door, that they might
be lighted up with "a glimpse of Maria.
But as Maria could command good
view Of him through the crack where the
door swung back on its hinges, she did
not propose to crafty him by showing
herself, and watched with qualification his
visible discomfort.
Amanda was piqued by Shorty's lack
of relish Of the viands she served him.
Come, Mr.. Elliott" she pouted; why
don't you eat something? Does my hand
ling the victuals take the taste away?
What's come over youP
why, Miss Mandy" said Shorty, in
confusion, and beginning to eat with avid
ity, Il thought l was histing in my
peck
"Histing in your peck, Mr.. Elliott?"
said Amanda, in surprise.
Excuse me. Miss Mandy, 1 should
MT we said that before you. / mean
wrastling my hash.'
'Wrastling your hash, Mr. ELLIOTT"
"There go again, Miss. l mean stow
ing my rrOvender."
you talk, Mr.. Elliott. What kind o'lan-
guage is that? Is that what they talk
down SouthY'
Miss Mandy, you'll really have to ex-
cuse me. l amt fit for young ladies' So
ciety. What l was trying to say was
that | thought / was going through my
yictuals like a buzz-saw through shin
gle. p
why, You amt ct half that ham-and-
eggs that / fried myself, and hardly
touched them griddle-cakes that are as
light as thistle-down. l made 'em my
self, and put in lots O eggs. Yesterday
you just couldn't get enough. Now you
mince and miggie, as if you was afraid
there was rats-bane somewhere. It's just
because it's me and not Maria that's Civ
ing the things to YOU
Now, Miss Mandy" expostulated
Shorty, with his mouth full, "you know
that aint SO. You know that / like you
awfully."
Il don't believe you do. You don't act
at all like it." pouted Amanda, who could
not resist the delight of young woman
putting man into seeming of wrong, and
make him protest.
Now, Miss Mandy, please don't"
begged Shorty, overwhelmed with contri-
ton at the remembrance that he had
heretofore had only eyes for Maria, and
but incidentally noticed Amanda as q
bright and comely accessory to the house
hold. Il think you're purty-awfuly pur
ty and nice, and none o these girls
around here compares with you, and
Maria, watching through the crack, con-
Guided that it was high time to inter
fere.
MANDY" she called out, sharply,
come in here at once and turn these
cakes, while | run out and see what's dis
worthless pups after them young turkeys
again."
As Shorty picked up his corn-sIash, and
followed the rest to the field, he had a
glimpse of Naria's futterng skirts, as,
stick in hand. she overlook the mschev-
Gus dog and soothed her own feelings by
n vigorous lesson to. him on the rights of
young turkeys TO life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness. irss
1t was the practice on Deacon Klegg's
farm to work swiftly, iutently and stead
lily, without any but the most necessary
conversation. What, few remarks passed
between 81 and his father during the day
related wholly, to the progress of the
work, the prospects of rain, and what had
made difference in the yield in various
parts Of the field. /
Shorty was left to- his own commun-
ings His highly wrought feelings found
relief or at least distraction in persistent
ly savage attack upon the giant corn
stalks, and as lhe had now learned the
knack of the Deacob's swift, sure stroke,
he swept the field cieanly and evenly be-
fore him, keeping easily in line with his
companions. But As he cut, carried and
bound the heavy harvest into great tee
pee-like masses, his turmoil of thoughts
went like tide in one directions: He
would talk directly to Maria that even
ing, and get some hint of his fate.
IF she'll only say that she cares for me
little Bit he said to himself, lust a
mite more'n she does for that whey faced
schoolmaster, I'll be better to her than
ever a man WAS to n woman in the whole
world I'll go back into the army and do
things that'll make her awful proud o me
-mebbe kill rebel General, or steal To-
connective, as them other fellers did, and get
away with it, which they didn't. I'll stop
and swearing, and card-playing,
and join her church. If she likes that
little pot-hook- maker, and boss O. the
spelling book better, why, I'll Just take
him and tie him up in double bow-knot,