Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-06-27
The Romance of an Amateur Milkman

The Romance of an Amateur Milkman.
The young man with the milk pail
in his hand went out of the room, and
as the door closed behind him Judith
turned toward her mother and sister
with fierce indignation in her brown
eyes.
81 wish you wouldn't do that, moth
er," she said in low voice. ut is
perfectly horrid to ask a visitor to milk
the COW. You know father will be
home in half an hour and he can do
it then just as well as not. Ever since
John Harwood has been coming here
you and Sylvia have seemed to want
to make a hired man of him, getting
him to bring in wood and do errands
and milk. Father, too, always keeps
out of the way Wednesday afternoons
so as to get out of doing all the work
he can. l feel ashamed to look people
in the face.
There, that will do, said Mrs. Sim
mons, gternly. 81 guess John isn't
foo oood In helm us a little "
"But he has his own work to do be-
fore he comes here"
"Well," said Sylvia, with a simper,
che seems to like to come, just the
same. How many times has he been
here to supper the last two months
"And today" Judith said, hotly,
"of all times, when he is going to take
Sylvia to that dance, and has come
with his best clothes on.
"Well, we gave him your fathers
overalls and frock to wear, didn't We ?"
"You are altogether too particular,
said, Sylvia, contemptuOusly. Don't
you know that if you get folks to do
things for you it makes them like you
all the better? And, besides, it isn't
any of your affair, so you needn't get
so excited about it. He doesn't do
the things for you, so you can forget
all about it" and Sylvia laughed
rather unpleasantly.
When, little later, John Harwood
came in with the milk, Sylvia, with
sweet smile, went forward and took
the pail from his hand. $50 good of
you," she murmured.
She carried the pail into the pantry.
Here, Judith" she said. "can'tyou
strain the milk? ? Don't make me stand
here holding it all night" She did
not know it, but the young man heard
what she said
Atsupper time Mrs. Simmons passed
the cake to the guest. Sylvia made
it" she said, with fond glance at
her eldest daughter,
Indeed" said John, "and did she
make that delicious bread?"
"No, said his hostess, "a little shortly,
Judith made that.
"Now, if you will go in the sitting
room and wait little while, l will be
all ready" said Sylvia, when they
rose from the table. "If you can help
me, mamma, it won't take so long.
Thus Judith was left alone with the
dishes. When she was alone it was
her habit to sing to herself. So, for
getting all about John Harwood, she
was soon singing happily about her
work.
Suddenly strong bass voice joined
in. She looked quickly toward the
sitting-room, but no one was in sight,
SO, with only a slight hesitation, she
kept on, feeling a thrill of delight as
her clear soprano was supported BY
that vigorous bass.
When the song was ended John ap-
peared at the door. He looked at Ju-
dith with interest.
81 did not know you could sing"
be said.
81 don't think you know it now,
she said, depreciatingly. Il just hum
a little to myself once in awhile, but
the others don't ike to hear it.
"YOu ought not to disparage your
ability, l took few lessons once, but
If I'd had as good a voice as you I