Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-19
Gbe WOOING
OF MISS Z
PRISCILLA
By Carrie Hunt Latta
COPYRIGHT, 1901, by c. II. Latta

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AS she drew near to a small house
which was built we'll back from the
road Miss Priscilla glanced at it with
pretended Indifference. Then she
looked closer, stopped and looked
again.
How shet up Saml Clayton's house
do look! Mebby he's went away.
Mebby he's went west. He said he
would eff I didn't marry him. But,
law me, that was years an years ago,
an eff he'd ben goin' he'd "a went
long ago. Mebby he's sick an all by
hisself! 1 wouldn't live on byroad
fer finer farm n this of Sam'Ps."
She took few steps farther, then
stopped. There was a determined look
on her face.
"It amt proper fer a lone wummin
ter go ter the house Of a lone man,
but l amt goin' ter stop fer that ner
nothn' else when they's a prospec' of
Sam'l Clayton bein' sick with nobody
ter complain ter"
She walked briskly up the lane
which led to the: little house. The
blinds were drawn and the front gate
was closed. The barnyard gate hung
open, and the chickens wandered
about the dooryard disconsolately,
while out in the shed the COW lowed
piteously.
mo tellin' when that cows ben
MIXED er how long she's ben shet up
without feed an water. Somethin's
happened. 1 hope-oh, l do hope-it
amt nothin' awful. Samr's bout the
only friend I've got here'bouts, an eff
he was ter die
She had to wipe the tears from her
eyes before she knocked.
There was no answer Her breath
came fast. She knocked again.
"What yo' want?" The voice was
decidedly cross.
Miss Priscilla opened the door eau
tiously, keeping her face turned away.
"Saml Clayton, is they anything the
matterT
"Nothin'," he answered grimly,
"ceptin' I'm fiat on my back an amt
able ter git up"
The door flew open, and Miss Pris-
ella entered.
II know l amt doin' the proper thing,
Sam'l, so don't be castin' up nothin',
but My goodness. Sam'l, yo're as
yaller as gold"
That's comfortin', Percilly."
"Yo've got yaller janders, l reckon. I
don't blame yo' none fer not wantin'
| ter git up. When l had 'em, couldn't
turn over in bed"
~ do want ter git up, but I can't,
Percilly."
Don't yo' be cross, Sam'l. They amt
no call fer it. I'm sorry fer yo', awful
sorry, an, though it amt the thing, I'm
goin' ter stay here an red things up
some. Then I'll git word to yer brother
Robert. Air yo thirsty, Saml?"
He nodded.
can hungry?"
He put out his tongue at her and
made a wry face.
mo; reckon yo' amt hungry, but
yo're weak fer somethin' ter eat, an
yoll git it right soon."
She went into the kitchen, and Samu-
ell heard her muttering and talking to
herself. She put her head in at the
door.
SIS that glass there on the table the
only one yo've got, Sam'l|
I'm the only one ter use glass, Per-
cilly, an l never hev cump'ny."
whats it got in 1t anyhow"
"Ginger tea, Percilly."
Miss Priscilla picked the glass up and
smelled of the contents.
"Phfew! Sakes alive. l spose yo'
fixed it?"
Miss Priscilla disappeared, taking the
glass with her. She soon returned with
u glass Of sparkling cold water.
Miss Priscilla Strengthened the sheet,
put clean cases ON the pillows. opened
the windows and put the room in order.
Samueps face frightened as he watch
ed her.
"Got anything bout the house ter eat,
Sam'l?" she asked presently.
"Things as splle easy is hangin' in
the well, an the rest of the things is in
the cellar, Percilly."
|
milked the COW and turned her into
the pasture. When she returned, she
put the milk away, then entered the
room again, bringing cup of hot
broth.
at amt cooked 'nough, Sam'l, but it
won't do fer yo' to go any longer with
Imply stummick. Eat some"
She propped him up in bed, and he
did as he was hidden.
That's the first good broth I've ct
sence mother died."
II don't doubt that, Saml. Yo're the
porest 'xcuse fer housekeeper l ever
seen. The whole house is awful. 1
amt s'prised yo're sick. I'd be dead"
'It amt my fault as I'm my own
housekeeper, Percilly Blake" he an
swered significantly.
She flushed red.
"Well, see plain as I'll hev to go
an leave yo' by yourself an not wait
| fer yer brother ter come Don't make