Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-10-10
:. AN :.
EXTORTlONER
BY MARTHA
MCULLOCH-WILLIAMS
Copy right, laGi, by T. e. Mcclure.
osososososoososososol 10000

heart was IN tnc SllnnlnS. II WIS 81
shady out under the big oak she had
flung on her Sunbonnct. The winds
played trickslly with her soft hair and
wispcd shiny tendrils of il around neck
and forehead. Her blue frock was low
enough to show enchanting glimpScs of
white neck. Not wild ros" of all
those blooming beside the house wall
was finer clear pink than showed in
her cheeks. II Is small wonder younc
Rushton looked at her twice and barred
his head before hailng.
Major Weaklcy is away. but may be
home any minute. Will you light and
wait for him?" Janet flung back TO him,
pausing. with her left hand held high
above her head. thus keeping taut the
length Of new thread.
Rushton had never seen anything so
lightly dcft as her motion in running
the thread even on the broach. In spite
Of the classics he had thought vaguely
Of spinning as clumsy drudgery. Now
II was suddenly horne In upon him that
nymphs and go,ldcSScs had joyously
piled the distaff.
lie had been in hot haste. Judge. then,
Of his astonishmrnt To find himself dis
mounted and sitting upon the piazza
watching Janet spin. He had come in
the field way, cutting straight across
his own plantation, full of contentious
wrath.
Oaklands lay broadside on to his
fields. That, Of course. meant line
fences and. potentially. trouble over
brcachy stock II was his factors COM
plalnt of trcspassing by Wcakley cat
tie that bad brought Rushton prcclpi-
lately on tine scene lie had arrived ut
dusk the night before; he meant to
leave before sundOwn next day - Mt
least until he saw Janet.
Presently. finding her father still
truant. she took the band from her
wheel. slid the full broach off the spin
die flung ii in Il basket half full OF
other breaches and went scdatcly with
In by the end door. \ minute later
she came out TO Rushton bearing fresh
well water, cool and sparkling, also a
glass dish overrunning with luscious
red cherries.
I'VE had as well eat these" she said
little rcgrctfully, setting the dish up
on the Hat piazza rail between them.
81 wanted To make cherry cobbler for
dinner - that's why | climbed up in
the very tIptop after these ripe ones
but Nanny Liza locked up every dust
of sugar and -four before she went to
Aunt why's funeral"
why did you let her go?" Rushton
asked.
Janet looked Mt him in amaze and
said, a cherry between her lips: Let
her. You don't know Aunt Liza. We
have to ask her about doing things,
daddy and l."
"lf you did not mind her. what would
happent" Rushton asked, laughing I'm
spite of himself.
Janet looked thoughtful. 81 don't
really know" she said, puckering her
forehead. Aunt Liza Is the best cook
in the county. Loads of people want
her-wOuld pay her double what we
can afford. But all she will ever say
to them is: "Shoo turkey! knows when
Izc well Off. an cf Marsc Taum Weak
ley don't den I'zc des bound ter stay
yere tell larns him."
"Such things are all riddles TO me-"
Rushton said. Il have spent so little
time here. My parents were northern.
That reminds me, | am taking II for
granted that you know me-
"Oh, do-and why you CAME" Janet
interrupted, flushing family. The last
thing Aunt Liza said was that you'd
be here this morning to say you'd shoot
our cows next time they were caught
ravaCing In your corniicldS. She had
heard 1t from the hands on your place.
Whatever one negro knows all the 9th
ers within miles roundabout will hear
before morning"
"Yes, sir! We had warning" Major
Weakley said. coming out behind Janet,
then offering his hand. "Mr. Rushton,
you're quite justifiable. II you do shoot
my beasts l shan't say word"
"Why. II shall not think of such
thingw Rushton Gasped, all taken
aback. 81 was bit provoked, but
dare say the matter has been greatly
exaggerated''-
"It cannot very we'll have BEEN"
Major Weakley said penitently. "To
tell You the truth, young man, my
cows are hardly worth the corn they
have destroyed for you. They're only
a lot OF scrubs but Janet and | would
not swap them for registered Jerseys.
We're foollshly fond of old things"
"If they did not jump so they'd be
angels-that IS, supposing angels ever
Iad four legs and horns and tail"
Janet said pensively. THE fences are
not really bad. but Sock, the bell cow,
never rests until she has laid down a
fence panel and called in all the rest.
She is the only one really wicked.
Why, sometimes she will pass our corn
and go straight for yours"
Suppose you sell her to me" Rush
ton said. his eyes dancing. IF Nine.
Bell Cow belonged on my side of the
road perhaps she would be as wild to
stay on yours"
you can have her for the taking"
Major Weakley said. laughing heartily,
then soberly: "Mr. Rushton, shall try
henceforth to keep my stock within
bounds. Meantime, send In your bill OF
damages"
Every well, and you are not to worry
any more until l send it," RushtOn an
swered. Janet from the doorway gave