The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-05-09

mOfen a EllIL5-Htt II sue > tHati anu
to think she's come to thisl''
well" said another. i don't see
what on earth she's goin to do when
she's sold her furniture. ] should a
thought she'd kept it and took summer
boarders from the city. That furniture's
real good If It's old. Ny land Age
amt nothin' ag'inst stuff like that IN
the squlre's house. That's the kind
that gifts better Instead OF worse. Amt
no imitation bout It neitherl Every
stick Of it's the real genuine wood!"
Maria worked industriously. Before
the afternoon had gone. several hand
some, old-fashloned pieces had re-
ceived shining coats Of varnish. and
cleaned anew with restored beauty.
Loretta Wilkinson arrived bright
and early on the eventful day. and II
she noticed the closed up appearance
Of certain portions Of the house. she
said nothing, but had her thoughts.
why, Maria, Where'd you git that
stoYe?" said she, as she caught sight
Of a peculiar object IN the wood-shed
THAT amt never your show-ofi parlor
stove. Is IT."
''Yes. Loretty. It is" answered
Maria. 1--WE got one Ia there. you ,
know, and this one ain't nothin' but
a relic, you might say. I'm most IN
hopes nobodyll buy it. for that's the
one thing 1 can't bear to part with;
but aims thindn' bout 1t any more'n
can help"
It was a curious article On top
was a mirror mounted like any chif-
fonier mirror, and at each side was
a blue glass vase.
Them held grasses most Of the
time" explained Maria. and how
many times I've seen pa shave himself
In front Of that glass. with his Shawn
cup set there to keep warm on the
side. But that was fore We had the
stove in the parlor; after the stove was
moved in the parlor we kept a fre In
Il only on some occasions, and ma
used to joke me about my sparks; but
faint a subject I can talk about 70
nobody"
Yes. I know" said Loretta. You
was thinkin' bout Jed. II / was you. /
wouldn't sell II 'thout I'd got TO-"
Maybe I can't let # go. Loretty but
Wen see. Therei There's some folks
come already, and Abe Fishers lead
in the way to the barns"
The day was clear and cold Notices
Of the auction had been circulated far
and wide. and many farmers and their
wives had driven IN from the sur
rounding towns. bent on procuring
something from the squire's place. The
kitchen and sitting-room were well
filed during the greater part OF the
day, and the sieaming coffee and the
new doughnuts found ready consum-
ers. Curiosity had brought many, not
only to the grounds, but into the
house itself, for the reputation 0i the
squire's possessions had led many 90
see for themselves ii the house vas
stripped from cellar TO garnet. or
whether. as some affirmed. Miss Maria
had loads Of much. better stun she
wouldn't think OF selling. The closed
doors quenched the ardor OF those in
tending a general survey of the house
but the fact that the coffee was served
IN Mrs Fairchllds best old-lashiOned
sprigged china cups. conveyed the idea
that there must be lots Of valuable ar
ticles retained by tSe present owner.
The afternoon ras half gone. and
most OF the things were sold Dishes
substantial milk-cans bearing the
squire's name slelghs, carriages. and
many articles besides the farm-toois
and the furniture had been purchased.
and yet the stove remained in its cor
ner of the wo0d-shed Maria saw lt
as she passed through on erfands. and
thought she would say nothing about
it II Abe Fisher did not see IT, she
had fully decided she could not let it
co.
A little later. as she was getting a
cup Of coffee for a neiehbor. her glance
fell on the group outside the window.
and she saw with dismay her stove
dragged up for display. with q cry she
darted through the door and up 10 the
auctioneer.
"Oh. don't sell that. Abe. cant lat
Il goi It's Jest the only part of my
life can't get away from. lou mustn't
put II up.f
TITS on the list. Maria said Abe.
"and i'm sell an right"
Il know IT, Abe. but it's like seiiin
part Of me Il Is part Or me. yol
know. she cried wildly "Oh. no. lf
you sell that. I 90 with lti"
Then I'm bid my hull stock Of
worldly goods for ltl7 said a loud
voice. and elbowinE his way through
the crowd. a stranger took Mayia Fair
child In his arms
Its Jed TompkinsiT gasped the
members of the group.
Yes. SIR" laughed Jed. "and he's
here Jest in time 70 buy up the most
valuable thing - the lot Aud see
here. you folks. nnythin Maria wants
back. III buy from you. Ter ms
moneys hers and she's got a fortune
Of her own. too. may as wall say.
to cut matters short. that her father
nrivately made over hie property 90