The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-11-01

bul lus iOu lulNut dN Nfil AtiN w Aii'
wind as 60 talk to brother John, when
his minds sot on anything"
Mrs. Thlstlegrow, OF Aunt Radilla,
as the neghbors called her. shook her
head grayely as she sat down TO peel
the potatoes for dinner.
AN here | am. with my lame back
E-gittin' lomer every day, an no help
TO be had, fur love nor money. Brother
John a-comln' home, too. an what |
nm a-goin to do with such sister-in-
law as Serena Saxon. | can't see. So
pertikler MS John allus was. too, an
10 think of him a-marryin' girl that
can't hardly cook 4 pertato decent.
Them SaXons is all shif-less set but
Serena is the shif-lessest one of the
hull lot; an it does rile me heap to
think of her a-mawym' John, an
a-comin here to be mistress Of the ole
place fine housekeeper she'll be-
an pretty mess she'll make in this
kitchen, that I've allus tuck sech pains
with"
And the tears almost stood in Mrs.
Thistlegrow's eyes, as she glanced
around the roomy Kitchen, which, in
deed, gave evidence of her thrift and
management.
The speckless window panes through
which the faintest ray of sunshine
found easy ingress: the long kitchen
table. white with its weekly securing;
the bright array of pots and pans, and
the polished china and glassware, ar
ranged on the spOtleSs shelves of the
tall. old kitchen-dresser-a told of
careful industry and houscwifely
thrift.
Mrs. Thstlegrow sighed as she
looked around, and thought of the
changes that would soon be made in
the tidy apartment.
II wouldn't mind John a-glttin' mar
ried," she continued, "ef twas only to
somebody smart an capable: fur what
with the rheumatic in my back an
that spell of ager | he'd in the fall
ain't none too able to git about no
how.
But to think of Serena Saxon
a-trappin' him like she did, purtendln'
to take him in arnest when he was
only Albumin all the time! 1t can't
be helped, though, now. | s'posc, an
1 must try to git some help afore John
comes. There'll be n heap o cookln'
to do, an of course Serena won't offer
to help. She'd only be in the way
an clutter up the kitchen. eff she did.
1 must git Squire Brown to put an
advertisement in the paper fer me. y
.
"YOu don't look none TO chirk," said
Aunt Rodilla, critically scanning the
white face OF tall girl before her
girl with silky coils Of bronze gold
hair, and eyes the color of wild forget
me-nots. But you hain't been sick
you say, and mebbe you'd do Hain't
never hired out before, b leye yor
saidg"
No" but have done hOusewOrk n
home, an think | could suit you"
II think so too declared Aunt 10
dilla, heartily. but YOU hain't tolt
lne your name yet"
ITS Bela--B Bella Bittersweet.
smiled the girl. looking wonderful,
pretty, Aunt Rodllla thought, will
deep dimples indentlng the fair checks
over which n faint blooming llusl
had dnwned, heightening their delicat
beauty.
every well, Bella. | shall be gla,
of your help, | know. There's heap
o. house-cleanin' 10 do. fur I'm OK
pectin my brother John home ever
day, now, to he married. An there
fruit-cakes and lemon-tarts to be mad
for the affair. An we might ms we
make up some jelly rolls while we'r
about 1t. Brother John used TO be on
common fond of Ielly-roll"
And when Miss Serena Saxon Wake
into the kitchen one day. as she fl,
quently did, with the air of proprietor
she stared haughtily at the falr-face
girl, who sat whlsking eggs with M
rolled sleeves showing pair of whit,
dimpled arms such as the Medcla
Venus herself might have enylcd.
"Humph! so you've got hire
girl!' remarked Serena, turning
Aunt Rodllla, with n supercilous Smi
in her bold, black eyes. and at I'll
corners Of her sharp, thin.lippe
mouth.
Il needed one, think" retorted Mr.
'hSANSiOhf hblullllAs " IN a.
rheumatic in my back, an all the tro
bic of gettln' ready for John"
you won't have the trouble lon
then" observed Miss Saxon. compl
Gently. "Tor | shall soon be the mi
tress here, and If you pay yol
board"
Johns a-comn'r cried Aunt /,
dilla, rushing through the hall. Mi
Serena tripping closely al her hee
John greeted his sister atfectionate
before addressing his intended brio
",rhen you have not changed yo
mind yet?' he asked, half gloomily.
Serena pouted, and tossed her he
defiantly.
"Of course not. / amt the kind
change my mind after | say n thing
she retorted, significantly.
Very well.
John lboked resigned, ms If he h
made up his mind for the sacrln'
but his handsome face looked trC
bled and downcast.
Aunt Rodllla seized moment